Activity Description

Preparation:

1.  Select a non-fiction text about animals and their habitats
   1. For example: Life in a Pond, by Allan Fowler
   2. Pre-read the text and select animals from the text to use in the game
2. Prepare the Who Lives Here? poster
   1. Write the heading Who Lives Here? at the top of a piece of chart paper
   2. Write the sentence: A___________________lives here.
   3. Draw a boarder
3. Gather small animal toys or pictures that match animals found in the text, as well as any other animals you wish to include
4. Photocopy the Animal Homes worksheet for each student

Implementation:

Session 1:

1. Review what the students have already learned about animal habitats
2. Explain that today you will be reading a book and then playing a fun game to figure out where animals live
3. Read aloud the selected non-fiction text
   1. While you read the text aloud pause when a new animal is introduced
   2. Emphasize the new animals that are introduced in the text by rereading their names
4. Present the Who Lives Here? poster to the students
   1. Ask: “What is this picture showing?”
      • Have students share their ideas
   2. Read the sentence A ______________ lives here
      • Explain how the blank space is the place where the name of the animal will be recorded
5. Explain the Who Lives Here? game
   1. Show the students an animal and they will call it’s name
   2. Have the students decide if it belongs “inside” the habitat on the chart paper, or outside
   3. Select a student to place the animal in the correct location
6. Play the game
   1. Prompt students with further questions about each animal if necessary
      • For example: “Does a beaver swim? What is a beaver’s home called?”
7. After all the animals have been classified, review the sentence from the Who Lives Here? poster
8. Hold up each toy animal and have the students complete the sentence orally with the name of each animal

Session 2:

1. Introduce the Animal Homes worksheet
2. Provide students with instructions
   1. Explain that they will draw a picture of the habitat and an animal that lives in the habitat
   2. Explain that they will complete the sentence by filling in the blank with the name of the animal shown in their drawing. You may wish to have a slightly different worksheet for students to write the entire sentence themselves      
3. Have students share which animal that he/she will draw
4. Meet students in small groups       

Adaptations For

English Language Learners/ESL:

- Provide direct instruction for student and emphasize each sound in the name of the chosen animal
- Provide letter cards while student writes word
- Prior to the activity pre-teach animal names to student

LD/Reading & Writing Difficulties:

- Say the name of the chosen animal aloud and emphasize each sound in the word
- Provide letter cards to which student can refer when thinking of the sounds in the word
- Repeat instructions prior to having student complete worksheet

Cultural Appropriateness & Diversity:

- Review names of animals prior to activity for familiarity
- Be sensitive to student if the student identifies the name of an animal not found in the habitat by redirecting the discussion to the habitat in which the animal does live

Differentiated Instruction:

- Provide alternative worksheets that meet the students needs
- Allow students to choose their own animal of interest to include in their worksheet
- Use flexible and mixed ability groupings

Related References

Evidence:
Miller, R. G. (2009). Thinking like a scientist: Exploring transference of science inquiry skills to literacy applications with kindergarten students. Electronic Journal of Literacy Through Science, 6, 41-53.