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Life Science · Ecosystems and Survival

Changing Habitats: When a Need Is Missing

Use organism-and-resource evidence to explain why the same habitat change can help some organisms, challenge others, and make survival impossible for others.

Lesson plan

Changing Habitats: When a Need Is Missing

A step-by-step guide to help you teach this lesson.

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Lesson overview

What students will learn

  • I can identify food, water, shelter, and space as resources organisms may need.
  • I can use evidence to compare how well different organisms can survive in one habitat.

Key science ideas

  • Organisms need resources from their habitats, but different organisms use different resources.
  • One habitat can be a good match for one organism and a poor match for another.
  • When a resource becomes scarce, organisms that depend strongly on it may survive less well.

Lesson at a glance

  • Grade 3
  • 50 min
  • ~12 min prep
  • 3-LS4-3
  • 6 materials

What’s included

  • Lesson Plan
  • Investigation
  • Teacher Slides
  • Printable Worksheet
  • Teacher Answer Key
  • Interactive Activity
  • Vocabulary