Direct Instruction
The lesson was an attempt to initiate deeper discussions about the topic. The aim was to engage students in a lot of talk and gain deeper understanding through meaningful questioning. Students were also encouraged to use topic words to describe what they learn.
Christine reading her description.
Dyzon reading his description about the Tundra Region
A habitat is a natural home or environment where an animal lives. Different plants and animals
can share a habitat. Camels, snakes, and cacti all share a desert habitat. Animals, just like
people, can learn to adapt to their environment. But not all animals can live in every habitat.
A habitat must provide three basic needs for any animal to survive: food, water, and shelter.
All animals need food and water to survive. Many animals are carnivores that eat other
mammals, big and small, so they need to live where food is abundant. Some animals are
herbivores, or plant eaters, so they need to live where lots of plants and trees grow to survive.
A lot of animals have adapted over the years so their fur, markings, shape, or coloring helps
them blend into their environment. This is a form of camouflage.
Shelter provides protection from rain, snow, wind, and the sun. Animals that live on the dry
savanna of Africa, like the cheetah, need protection from the scorching sun. Cheetahs seek
shelter in the tall grasses, near waterholes, and under the few trees that grow in this area.
In comparison, animals that live in the cold mountain regions, like the Artic fox, seek shelter
under rocky ledges and in caves hidden away from the dangerous wind and very cold
temperatures. The mountains also provide protection from predators for many of these
animals.
There are several different types of habitats including deserts, savannas, tropical rainforests,
wetlands, woodlands, polar regions, mountain regions, and grasslands.
Over all reflection
After Jannie's staff meeting at our school I wanted to use an idea as a topic of discussion. So I introduced the word 'habitat'. The outcome was great as students had extensive discussions about different habitats. They used complete sentences to share their ideas. They also learnt a lot of new topic words that they used them in their oral and written language. After the lesson, I felt that the students were still hungry to find out more about the habitats in the world. During their library period, they asked for books on habitats and eagerly shared new knowledge. Children had become intrinsically motivated in a short period of time. I felt that I could have carried on with the topic for a week or two without my students getting bored.
What went well.
Lesson Content - The content of the lesson was very interesting for the children. They liked to learn about different habitats and their interest carried on much after we had learnt about habitats.
Student Understanding and outcome - Students understood about the topic and learnt lots of topic words to describe their learning
What still needs work.
I felt, I could have used some you tube videos to introduce the topic. My students however went on to their chrome books to find about the different habitats and shared their knowledge freely with their classmates. Also I could have used books from the library to read them more about habitats. I also feel that I could have spoken a bit less and allowed them to explore the topic themselves a bit more.
Archana Sharma
asharma@tamakiprimary.school.nz
Manaiakalani Education Trust
PO Box 18 061, Glen Innes
Auckland, New Zealand
