Field Investigation: Critter Characteristics and Habitats

Students look for a bird, insect, amphibian, reptile or mammal in the outdoor classroom, record its features, and then describe its habitat. Afterwards, they discuss how and why different animals were found in different places in the outdoor classroom.     

 
Click on the orange links to access free educational materials:  
 
Lesson Plans  |   ALSDE Standards Taught
 
Activity Page #1: An Animal & its Habitat Needs (or as Word Doc) 
 
Activity Page #2: Eastern Bluebird & its Habitat Needs (or as Word Doc) with Answer Page 
 
Outdoor Activity Materials:  activity pages, clipboards, pencils, field identification guides such as the National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Southeastern States


















 
Step 1: Engage through Discussion
     
Engage the students and capture their interests with an Interactive Q&A (or as PDF) that allows you to click through the questions one at a time.  You can gauge your students' understanding of the topic as they answer the questions. Print and use the Q&A Info Sheet (or as Word Doc) to anticipate the next question in the Interactive Q&A and to guide the conversation with the students.  (Note:  For the PowerPoint (PPT), click "Slide Show" & "From Beginning" to display the questions and answers separately.)
 
Use these tools to continue the discussion:
 
 
 
Step 2: Explore with Literature
   
As you read these books, you can further explore the topic and discuss your students' experiences and knowledge around the topic:

Animal Homes (Ranger Rick: Animal Fun for Young Children) by Jennifer Bove' (ISBN: 978-1630762247)

One Small Square: Backyard by Donald M. Silver (ISBN: 978-0070579309)

One Small Square: Woods by Donald M. Silver (ISBN: 978-0070579330)

One Small Square: Swamp by Donald M. Silver (ISBN: 978-0070579262)

One Small Square: Pond by Donald M. Silver (ISBN: 978-0070579323)

Animal Habitats (My Science Library, Levels 1-2) by Julie K. Lundgren (ISBN: 978-1617419348)
 
 

  
Step 3: Explain with an Educational Video
   
Use these educational videos to help explain the topic in more detail:
   
Animal Classification YouTube Video
(6:51 min) @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRidGna-V4E		 Animal Classification Brain Pop Jr. Video
(5:48 min) @ https://jr.brainpop.com/science/animals/classifyinganimals/
   
What is a Habitat? Video
(2:56 min) @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxrlEajA398		 Nature: Animal Homes PBS Learning Media Video
(2:07 min) @ https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/
nat15.sci.lisci.anihome/habitat-animal-homes/#.W3R81ehKg2w

 

























 
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Wildlife Identification Resources:
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Step 4: Elaborate with a Field Investigation in the Outdoor Classroom
 
Students apply what they have learned as they investigate the topic in your outdoor classroom and record their real-world observations on their activity page:
 
Version #1:
An Animal & Its Habitat Needs		 Version #2:
Eastern Bluebird & Its Habitat Needs
Activity Tips
  • Review the Outdoor Classroom Rules with students before going outside. 
  • Conduct this activity in the warmer months of spring and fall when wildlife is the most active, or in February and March when bluebirds are most active during their nesting season.  Consider splitting the students into six or seven groups and ask each group to look for a specific type of animal (bird, mammal, amphibian, reptile, insect, worm or other invertebrate).  This will help ensure that your students observe a wide variety of animals and not just insects (which will be the easiest type of animal to find).
 
Version #1 - An Animal & Its Habitat Needs: General Animal
Activity Page: PDF (as is)  /  Word Doc (editable)

Procedure
Outdoor Discovery:
  1. Have the students explore the outdoor classroom until they are able to see an animal.
  2. Next have them draw a picture of the animal on their activity page and answer the questions about the physical characteristics of the animal.
Indoor Discussion:
  1. Discuss and identify the animals that were found in the outdoor classroom and their physical characteristics.
  2. Then use the AWF's Wonders of Wildlife Webpages to learn more about the life cycle and habitat needs (food, water, shelter & place to raise its young) of the animal.
  3. Have the students answer any remaining questions about the animal and its life cycle and habitat needs on the activity page.
  4. Discuss that there are many different kinds of living things and various habitat needs for each type of organism.
Optional Extension:
Version #2 - An Animal & Its Habitat Needs: Eastern Bluebird
Activity Page: PDF (as is)  /  Word Doc (editable)

Procedure
Outdoor Discovery:
  1. Have the students explore the outdoor classroom to look for an Eastern Bluebird.
  2. Next have them draw a picture of the Eastern Bluebird on their activity page and answer the questions about its physical characteristics.
Indoor Discussion:
  1. Discuss the physical characteristics of Eastern Bluebirds.
  2. Then use the AWF's Wonders of Wildlife: Eastern Bluebird Webpage to learn about its Habitat Needs (food, water, shelter & place to raise its young).
  3. Have the students answer any remaining questions on the activity page based on their research.
  4. Discuss that there are many different kinds of living things and various habitat needs for each type of organism.
Optional Extension:
Wildlife Identification Resources:
 
 
Step 5: Evaluate with an Assessment Activity
   
Review and assess the students’ observations and answers on their observation pages:
Evaluate the students' understanding of the topic with the following assessment tools:
 
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  Questions? Contact us at oc@alabamawildlife.org. .