Forest Habitats
A Third Grade Science Lesson
Purpose
The activities in this lesson plan are designed to take place over four days. Students will
learn about the forest habitats of the world. They will then choose an animal within the forest
habitat to investigate. The students will use the information gathered from various activities to
create their own fun fact sheet about the animal of their choice. By connecting the information
about the animal and its habitat students will gain a better understanding of animals in nature.
Description
The teacher will provide an introduction to forest habitats of the world with a power
point presentation. The students will then gain a larger understanding for the forest habitats of
the world by working in groups and examining the forest and rainforest habitats. Students will
then use the computer lab and its various resources to further learn about the forest habitat as
they choose an animal that resides in it and create a fun fact sheet about that animal.
Activities
Preparation
 Create a power point presentation introducing the forest habitats of the world.
 Books : A Forest Habitat (Introducing Habitats) by Bobbie Kalman & A Rainforest
Habitat (Introducing Habitats) by Molly Aloian, Bobbie Kalman.
 Reserve appropriate time in computer lab for students.
 Make copies of handouts as needed.
Page | 1
Procedures
Procedures
NETS Indicators
Day one
Teacher will introduce the forest
habitats of the world with a
power point presentation.
2
Day two
Students will be divided into
small groups to analyze the
books A Forest Habitat
(Introducing Habitats) and
Rainforest Habitat (Introducing
Habitats). In their small groups
students will individually
complete a Venn diagram to
compare and contrast the two
types of forest habitats.
Day three
Computers in the lab will be
logged onto National
Geographic for Kids website.
Teacher will demonstrate where
to find animals of the forest
habitat and students will then
choose an animal to learn about
from the forest habitat.
1&4
Day three
Each student will find
information on National
Geographic for Kids website
relevant to their animal, which
they will need for the next
activity.
3,5 &6
Day four
Using Microsoft Word, each
student will create (and later
print) their own fact sheet with
an introduction to the habitat in
which the animal lives and
information about the animal
they choose.
3&4
Page | 2
Tools and Resources
Software:
1. Microsoft Power Point
2. Microsoft Word
Websites:
1. http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/Animals/CreatureFeature/
2. http://library.thinkquest.org/07aug/00720/home.html
Other: Books
1. A Forest Habitat (Introducing Habitats) by Bobbie Kalman
2. A Rainforest Habitat (Introducing Habitats) by Molly Aloian, Bobbie
Kalman.
Assessment
Students will be assessed on their understanding of their animal and presentation of
their fun fact sheet. They will be evaluated using the rubric created on the rubistar website.
Credits
Andrea Abrishami
AAbrishami09@gmail.com
Page | 3
Forest Habitat Animal
Fact Sheet
Teacher Name: Ms. Abrishami
Student Name:
________________________________________
Forest Animal:
________________________________________
CATEGORY
4
3
2
1
Labels
All items of
importance on
the fact sheet are
clearly labeled
with labels.
Almost all items
of importance on
the fact sheet are
clearly labeled
with labels.
Several items of
importance on
the fact sheet are
clearly labeled
with labels.
Labels are too
small to view OR
no important
items were
labeled.
Required
Elements
The fact sheet
includes all
required elements
as well as
additional
information.
All required
elements are
included on the
fact sheet.
All but 1 of the
required
elements are
included on the
fact sheet.
Several required
elements were
missing.
Content Accuracy
At least 7
5-6 accurate facts 3-4 accurate facts
accurate facts are are displayed on are displayed on
displayed on the the fact sheet.
the fact sheet.
fact sheet.
Less than 3
accurate facts are
displayed on the
fact sheet.
Attractiveness
The fact sheet is
exceptionally
attractive in
terms of design,
layout, and
neatness.
The fact sheet is
attractive in
terms of design,
layout and
neatness.
The fact sheet is
acceptably
attractive though
it may be a bit
messy.
The fact sheet is
distractingly
messy or very
poorly designed.
It is not
attractive.
Mechanics
Capitalization
and punctuation
are correct
throughout the
poster.
There is 1 error
in capitalization
or punctuation.
There are 2
errors in
capitalization or
punctuation.
There are more
than 2 errors in
capitalization or
punctuation.
Page | 4
Page | 5