Annotated Bib - Habitats

Habitats are where people, plants or animals live. There are many reasons why people, plants and animals choose or adapt to the habitat they live in and each has their own unique ways of surviving. The selected literature books have wonderful and engaging writing and illustrations for children that describe the unique habitats animals live and survive. The web resources are educational interactive games that provide children entertaining activities that relate to the study of animal habits.
Books

Crinkleroot's Guide to Animal Habitats by Jim Arnosky (2000). Aladdin Publishing (978-0689835384). Gr. K-4.
An engaging story with a fun-spirited guide, Crinkleroot, guides readers as they learn about animals and their distinctive habitats. This book is an easy read for 2-4 graders and the illustrations are appealing to all ages. This is a great book to read to a small group or for individual enjoyment.

I See a Kookaburra: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World by Steve Jenkins. Illus. by Robin Page (2005). Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (978-0618507641). Gr. K-3.
A seek and find book that has wonderful illustrations and informs the reader about the various ecosystems around the world. At the end of the book you will find more information about the animals presented in the book. Plus, this book can be differentiated as it appeals to all learning styles and levels. In a classroom, this book could be read in pairs or in small groups as the students could work together to find the animals and discuss the various habitats.

Look Who Lives in the Desert! by Brooke Bessesen (2004). Arizona Highways Books (978-1932082098). Gr. 1-3.
A fun and engaging book that adds humor to learning. With the catchy rhyming verses and illustrations, children can learn and grow with this book. Each page has a humorous description as well as factual information that can encourages readers at all levels of learning. Take a look at the author's webpage and you will find additional resources how to utilize this book into your classroom lesson plan.

Look Who Lives in the Ocean! by Brooke Bessesen (2009). Arizona Highways Books (978-1932082821). Gr. 1-4.
Brooke Bessesen presents the habitats of animals that live under the sea using humor and endearing illustrations. The engaging verses, illustrations, and photographs appeal to the child learning to read and to the independent reader. Take a look at her website (linked if you click the book cover) and you will find additional information about how you can incorporate her books into your classroom curriculum.


What Lives in Antarctica? by Oona Gaardner-Junnti (2008). Super Castle Publishing (978-1604531695). Gr. K-4
Can anything live in Antarctica? Many people are unaware that Antarctica is a habitat to living animals. This book first introduces the different habitats around the world incorporating a map. Then the book introduces eight animals that live in Antarctica.

Web Resources
ABPI Resources for Schools: Habitats Around the World
Different living things live in different places to suit their needs. In this activity the user has eight location option to explore. Through a series of questions, users learn about the animals that can or can not survive in the various habitats. This is an activity that can be incorporated into a classroom lesson or used as a quiz.

ARKive: Design a habitat for the Black Footed Ferret
This activity introduces the most endangered animal in the world, the Black-Footed Ferret. First, is a tutorial about this animal covering its habitat, home life and survival skills. Then the user is sent on a quest to build a habitat suitable to the Black-footed ferret.

BBC School Science Clips: Habitats
This is an activity that encourages the user to learn the distinguishing facts about plants and animals and their habitats. Presented with a woodland scene, the player takes snapshots of eight living things they find that call the woodland habitat home. The next activity has the player drag living things to create a food chain.

The National Zoo: Panda Habitat
While it does not discuss a natural habitat, this activity highlights the habitats created for animals at a zoo. Design your own panda habitat exhibit at the Smithsonian National Zoo. This is a creative activity to explore the needs of the pandas to survive in a habitat at a zoo. By choosing the trees, water sources, food sources, and enrichments, you learn the various plants, shelter, and food pandas need to survive and have fun. When your habitat is finished you have the chance to watch the panda enjoy your habitat.

Switcheroo Zoo
Build an online habitat. By clicking on the icons, you can sort the different animals and coordinating habitat features that sustain that environment. Choose: a lizard, polar bear, human, manatee, or beaver.

Teacher Information
Virginia Standard of Learning 2.5 (b) (c)

The concepts developed in this standard include the following:

• The habitat of an animal includes adequate food, water, shelter or cover, and space. If any of the basic elements of an animal’s habitat are absent, the animal’s survival is threatened. The animal may adapt or leave the area.

• The habitats of living organisms, such as forests, grasslands, rivers, and streams, change due to many human or natural influences (e.g., forest fires, hurricanes, and droughts). Habitats change from season to season.