Georgia Performance Standards
for 3rd Grade Life Science
S3L1. Students will investigate the habitats of different organisms
and the dependence of organisms on their habitat.
a. Differentiate between habitats of Georgia (mountains,
marsh/swamp, coast, Piedmont, Atlantic Ocean) and the organims
that live there.
b. Identify features of green plants that allow them to live and thrive
in different regions of Georgia.
c. Identify features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in
different regions of Georgia.
d. Explain what will happen to an organism if the habitat is changed.
S3L2. Students will recognize the effects of pollution and humans on
the environment.
a. Explain the effects of pollution (such as littering) to the habitats of
plants and animals.
b. Identify ways to protect the environment.
- Conservation of resources
- Recycling of materials
Enduring Understanding:
Students will understand that
- Different organisms live in different habitats
- Georgia has several different habitats
- Different characteristics of a habitat determine what can live there
Essential Questions:
- Why don't alligators usually live on a mountain?
- Why are there different habitats in Georgia?
- What is in a habitat that supports life?
- Why do we have habitats?
- Can there be more than one habitat in a region? If so, why?
Teacher Resources
Map from http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaycontent.asp?txtDocument=211
Georgia Mammals - Chart from 1962 that shows Georgia mammals, what habitat they live in, how
common they are and a comment about many.
A Perilous Passage: Migratory Birds in Danger - Flash file from the Atlanta Journal Constitution that
shows the dangers that threaten the habitats of birds. Click buttons to see associated pictures of 38
birds, what they need to survive, where they live in Georgia. Many have associated sound files.
Georgia Science Teachers Association - 3rd Grade Unit Plan for Habitats
Habitats Quiz
Carroll County 3rd Grade Habitats Content Map
Georgia Wildlife Project Wild Teacher Resource Guide - " This guide seeks to provide a basic
introduction to key habitats and wildlife for each physiographic region within Georgia, and
provide references for further study and field trip sites."
Georgia Wildlife Action Plan - Lists key Georgia habitats, gives endangered species of each, and
gives an action plan for conservation
Natural History Exploration Kit - The Georgia Museum of Natural History's Natural History
Exploration Kits provide educators with natural history materials and activities that can be
incorporated into their regular curriculums in order to enhance student learning experiences.
Contents may vary slightly between multiple copies of individual boxes.
The Amazing Story of Kudzu - an example of how a plant can both help and hurt a habitat Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level 9.7
Information About Specific Georgia Habitats
Swamps
Nature Works,
New Hampshire
Public Television
- Includes
definition of a
swamp,
photographs of
types of swamps,
information
about the
Okefenokee
habitat and the
plants and
animals that live
in it.FleschKincaid Grade
Level 7.7
Georgia's Natural Wonders: Plants and Animals, Okefenokee
Swamp Park - Gives information about some of the plants and
animals in the Okefenokee with pictures of each. Flesch-Kincaid
Grade Level 7.7
Learn about the Okefenokee - Wacona Elementary School, Waycross, GA, Home of the
Okefenokee . Gives facts, features, history, and pictures of plants and animals. Flesch-Kincaid
Grade Level 6.7
Okefenokee Swamp egret
Alligator
Osprey
Otter
Black Bear
Anhinga
Water Moccasin
Green Pitcher Plant
Sun Dew
Bladderwort
Pitcher Plant
Water Lily
Swamp Iris
Yellow Fringed Orchid
Mountains
Georgia Mountains to the Sea: Mountains Region
North Georgia Mountains
North Georgia Mountains
Mountain Lion
American Toad
Eastern Cottontail
Great Horned Owl
Red Fox
Brasstown Bald
Coastal Plain
Georgia Mountains to the Sea: Coastal Plain Region
Snowy
Egret
Wire Grass
Grasslands
Altamaha River
from left to right, Matelea alabamensis, Elliottia racemosa, and Coreopsis
integrifolia
Piedmont
Georgia Mountains to the Sea: Piedmont
New Georgia Encyclopedia Land & Resources:
Piedmont
Piedmont Stream
John's Mountain and Floyd Ridge and Valley
in Georgia Piedmont
Sweet Gum Tree
Sherpa Guides: Selected Atlanta Habitats
Atlantic Ocean
Georgia Mountains to the Sea: The Sea
Georgia Beach
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Conservation:
Help Save Animals and Their Habitats: 101 Things You Can Do! A website from the Oregon
Zoo
*Georgia Endangered Plant Stewardship Network - Why are plants important in the environment?
What are the problems facing plants? How can we help endangered plants?