Storytellers and Dreamers · Autumn Term

Describing Story Settings

Students will identify where and when stories take place and use descriptive language to talk about settings.

About This Topic

Animal habitats explore the relationship between living things and their environments. Year 1 pupils learn that animals live in places where their basic needs for food, water, and shelter are met. This topic aligns with the 'Living things and their habitats' strand, focusing on how different habitats provide for the basic needs of different kinds of animals and plants.

Students investigate local habitats, such as the school pond or garden, as well as global ones like rainforests or deserts. They begin to identify simple adaptations, such as camouflage or thick fur. This topic comes alive when students can physically model the patterns of a habitat through building and observation.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Micro-habitat Hunt

Take the class outside with magnifying glasses to find 'mini-habitats' like under a log or in a flowerbed. Students work in pairs to list what an insect might find there to stay safe and fed.

⏱ 40 min·Pairs

Generate mission

Simulation Game: Camouflage Hide and Seek

Scatter colored wool scraps (green, brown, bright red) on a patch of grass. Students act as 'birds' and have 30 seconds to collect as many 'worms' as possible, then discuss why the red ones were easier to find.

⏱ 20 min·Whole Class

Generate mission

Gallery Walk: Habitat Designers

Groups create a shoebox habitat for a specific animal. They then display their boxes and other students walk around to guess which animal lives there based on the features provided (e.g., sand, water, leaves).

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

Generate mission

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Students often think a habitat is just a 'house' or a building.

What to Teach Instead

Clarify that a habitat is the whole area an animal lives in, including where it finds food and water. Using the school grounds as an example helps them see the wider environment as a home.

Common Misconception

Children may believe that animals can choose to live anywhere.

What to Teach Instead

Discuss what would happen to a polar bear in a desert. This helps them understand that animals are specifically 'suited' to their environments through their physical features.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a habitat and an ecosystem?

At Year 1, we focus on 'habitat' as the place where an organism lives. An ecosystem is a more complex concept involving the interaction of all living and non-living things, which is introduced in older year groups.

How do I teach about habitats I can't visit?

Use high-quality video clips, virtual tours, and sensory bins filled with materials like sand or ice to simulate the 'feel' of distant habitats like the Sahara or the Arctic.

Why is it important to learn about local British habitats?

It builds a sense of stewardship and allows for direct observation. Understanding a local hedgerow or woodland makes the concept of a 'habitat' tangible and real for young learners.

What are the best hands-on strategies for teaching habitats?

Building physical models is excellent. When students have to decide where to put the 'water' and the 'hiding place' in a model habitat, they are actively processing the survival needs of an animal rather than just drawing a picture.

Browse curriculum by country

• Americas
• US
• CA
• MX
• CL
• CO
• BR

• Europe
• UK
• IE
• FR
• DE
• ES
• IT
• NL
• PT
• SE

• Asia & Pacific
• IN
• SG
• AU