Teaching Animal Habitats

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In science this past month my daughter and I have been learning about animal habitats. I am using Nancy Larson Science this year with her and it has been such a great fit for us!  In the animal lesson plans unit it goes through different types of habitats, what animals eat, hibernation and migration as well as different classifications of animals (mammals, reptiles, birds, fish).

One of our favorite activities with this animal unit was doing the different animal sorts. It is such a simple activity to put together, but I felt it added a lot to the learning. We did this activity with habitats as well as with they types of foods animals eat. Our curriculum comes with full color animal cards, but you could print your own to do this activity.

See also my printable Animal Habitat Sorting Mats to make your own!

Animal Habitats Sorting Activity

Write cards with the names of the different habitats, or the animal’s natural environment. We started simple with land, water, or both.

As we moved further into the lessons, we learned different land and water habitats (savannas, tropical rainforest habitat, grassland habitat, prairies, forest, pond, rivers, swamps, or other freshwater habitats, ocean and coral reefs, polar regions, etc.) Then, we took our stack of animal cards and sorted them to where they lived. Easy, peasy, right?!

Now try the same activity by sorting the Herbivores, Carnivores and Omnivores!  Let your kids curiosity direct the lesson further.

Want to learn more about animals and their habitats?  One of my all-time favorite books to read to teach kids is the Burgess Animal Book.  I even created a Burgess Animal Book learning guide to go along with this book.  Check it out- you will LOVE it!  (I made this guide quite a long time ago and some of the links have become outdated. Thanks for your patience as I work to update them!)

Here are a few more High-Quality Books on Animal Habitats:

Draw Write Now: Animal Habitats – Tie in your handwriting to science learning. This is one of our favorites!!!

Melissa & Doug Animal Habitats Sticker Pad

Animal Habitats (Williamson Little Hand Series) – This is great to add in crafts to your learning!

Magic School Bus Hops Home: Animal Habitats

Crinkleroot’s Guide to Knowing Animal Habitats   – I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE these Crinkleroot books!

See More Animal Learning Ideas:

Farm Animal Pattern Block Cards

Printable Preschool Animal Activity Pack

Animals that Hibernate in Winter

Mapping Animal Migrations

How to Draw Animals for Kids: Draw & Write Pages