As part of our unit on animals, first graders will begin exploring the features of different animal habitats. Before we can dive deep into the six main natural habitats on Earth, we needed to learn what a habitat was! First graders learned that a habitat is where an animal lives (and we are animals, too!). An important part of a habitat is that it must include all of the necessary resources to support the animals that live there. Those resources include shelter, a water source, a food source, and space. We discussed that these are just the basics. A great habitat would also include other benefits for the animal. For humans, these additional resources might include a bed to promote sleep, a toilet and shower for hygiene, and items like books, games, and puzzles to keep our brains sharp.

We also talked about how different animals live in very different habitats depending on their needs. Over the coming weeks, students will explore six major habitats found on Earth: forests, deserts, oceans, freshwater habitats, grasslands, and tundra regions. Each of these habitats has unique weather, plants, and resources that shape the kinds of animals that can survive there. For example, animals that live in deserts must be able to survive with very little water, while animals that live in polar habitats need ways to stay warm in freezing temperatures. Ocean habitats provide endless water but require animals that can swim and find food underwater, while forest habitats offer trees that animals can use for shelter and protection.

After they learned about what is required for a habitat, first graders created a detailed drawing of their own habitats. They were sure to include all of the necessary resources that we discussed: water, nutrients, space, shelter, air, hygiene, mind and sleep. Of course, our homes serve as the shelter itself. Students considered the importance of kitchens, restrooms, comfy places, things to help our brains grow, and space to move around. After creating their drawings, students labeled each part of their habitat with which resource it provided. Students who finished early moved on to create a diagram of a second habitat, this time of any habitat that wasn’t their own home. Some created a habitat for the characters of K Pop Demon Hunters, an alien’s home, or a model of our school as our habitat in the daytime!