r i v er ha bitat pack
KEY QUESTION 1
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‘What is meant by the term ‘habitat’?’
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Objectives
This is a whole class activity and is meant as an introduction to the topic of
habitats. It should ensure that the pupils have a basic understanding of the
term ‘habitat’ and that they are able to use the word in context.
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Resources
Per group:
1a-1c pupil reference - A4 colour photograph sheets of habitats
Suggested Activities
1. Ask each group to look at their pictures. Ask what they all have in common. They need to arrive
at the conclusion that they are all places where plants and animals live.
2. Give the pupils a definition for the term ‘habitat’.
3. Explain what is meant by the terms mini-habitat and micro-habitat. Ask the pupils to select
examples of mini- and micro-habitats from the pictures.
4. Focus the pupils on the habitat they are going to study. Prepare a list of all the different habitats on
the board. Ask the pupils to eliminate all the habitats that are not water habitats. Then ask them to
eliminate the habitats that are not freshwater habitats. Then ask them to eliminate the habitats
containing still water as opposed to running water. The picture of the river should remain.
Notes:
Habitat
A habitat is a place where living things live. It is more than just a home, and includes the whole
surrounding area from which living things are able to obtain all the things that they need to
survive. Therefore all the creatures for whom the grassy patch is a habitat are likely to be relatively
small as all the things that they need to survive are contained in that one grassy patch. Also the
grassy patch will contain a smaller number of plants and animals than a large habitat such as a
woodland.
Mini-habitat
A habitat that is small e.g. a tree
Micro-habitat
A habitat that is very small e.g. under a stone
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1a
1b
1c