What Is a Habitat?

• This video about habitats provides examples of animals in ocean, desert, woodland, polar, and mountain habitats and compares polar bears, panda bears, and brown bears.
• The comparison of the different types of bears and their different habitats demonstrates their similarities and differences and is a great example of evolution and adaptation.

Positives

• The video uses descriptive narration and encourages students to tune into their senses and imagine life in diverse habitats.
• A focus on adaptations and diversity of organisms in different environments is helpful for examining the NGSS crosscutting concept of structure and function.

Additional Prerequisites

• This video is a preview of Discovery Education UK's habitat module. A login is required to view additional content.

Differentiation

• Before watching the video, consider having students answer the question, "Why are polar bears, panda bears, and brown bears different?"
• After watching the video, students could choose one animal they observed and draw the animal in its habitat. Students could also describe the habitat they drew and how the animal is adapted to it.
• Ask students to think about an animal or plant's adaptations and how they relate to their role in the ecosystem as either producers, herbivores, or predators.
  
• Create a list of the animals and habitats in the video and then have students categorize them.
  
• Check out the other videos in this series featuring woodlands, oceans, and rainforests.

This resource addresses the listed standards. To fully meet standards, search for more related resources.