Grade 4: Understanding Life Systems
Habitats and Communities Science Kit.
Call Number: TBD
Covers the following:
Strand A: STEM Skills and Connections
Strand B: Habitats and Communities
This kit describes to students both habitats and communities, including relationships and interactions that occur in communities. Human impact on habitats and communities - both positive and negative - are covered through this kit. Food chains will be explored, and students will learn about producers, consumers, and decomposers. This kit provides materials for six activities.
Hands-On Science and Technology, Grade 4 by
Hands-On Science and Technology: An Inquiry Approach is filled with a year's worth of classroom-tested activity-based lesson plans. The grade 4 book is divided into four units based on the current Ontario curriculum for science and technology. Habitats and Communities Pulleys and Gears Light and Sound Rocks and Minerals This new edition includes many familiar great features for both teachers and students: curriculum correlation charts; background information on the science and technology topics; complete, easy-to-follow lesson plans; reproducible student materials; materials lists; and hands-on, student-centred activities. Useful new features include: the components of an inquiry-based scientific and technological approach Indigenous knowledge and perspective embedded in lesson plans a four-part instructional process--activate, action, consolidate and debrief, and enhance an emphasis on technology, sustainability, and differentiated instruction a fully developed assessment plan that includes opportunities for assessment for, as, and of learning a focus on real-life technological problem solving learning centres that focus on multiple intelligences and universal design for learning (UDL) land-based learning activities a bank of science related images
A sample lesson, "How Do Plants and Animals Adapt to Survive in Their Environment", is available on the Portage & Main web site.
Healthy HabitatsIntroducing Biodiversity from AAAS ScienceNetLinks
"In this lesson, students identify the basic components necessary for biodiversity, the critical and countless benefits of habitats, as well as the serious present and future threats to their ongoing existence."
Black Bear Ecology from the Ministry of Natural Resources
A guide that focuses on black bears. Five lesson plans are included with worksheets and discussion questions.
Teacher's Guides from PBS NatureWorks
Teacher guides that cover topics such as migration, adaptation, different animal communities, etc. Each topic has a related episode, pre- and post-viewing activities, additional resources, and a hands-on component.
Habitats and Communities Activities from STAO
Teacher resources for this grade 4 unit. Three part lesson plans, additional resources, and rubrics included.
"This video classifies organisms and other living things according to their role in a food chain (e.g. producer, consumer, decomposer). This video also goes over what omnivores, herbivores, and carnivores are and what they eat."
"This short documentary films some of the wild animal species that have adapted to the city of Vancouver, from the familiar pigeons and starlings to the less familiar herons nesting in Stanley Park and a coyote in a farmer's field. This documentary also shows how humans have impacted various animals."
Audubon Birding Adventures for Kids by
An exciting introduction to the world of birding for kids (and their parents), from identifying common species to creating safe species-appropriate habitats, homes, and feeders for common songbirds.
The Boreal Forest by
The vast boreal forest spans a dozen countries in the northern regions like "a scarf around the neck of the world," making it the planet's largest land biome. Besides providing homes for a diversity of species, this spectacular forest is also vitally important to the planet: its trees clean our air, its wetlands clean our water and its existence plays an important role in slowing global climate change. In this beautifully written book, award-winning author L. E. Carmichael explores this special wilderness on a tour of the forest throughout the four seasons, from one country to another. Evocative watercolor and collage artwork by award-winning illustrator Josée Bisaillon provides a rare glimpse of one of the world's most magnificent places. With excellent STEM applications in earth science and life science, this enjoyable book aims to foster environmental awareness of and appreciation for this crucial forest and its interconnections with the entire planet. In a unique approach, the text features a lyrical fictional narrative describing the wildlife in a specific part of the forest, paired with informational sidebars to provide further understanding and context. Also included are a world map of the forest, infographics on the water cycle and the carbon cycle, a glossary, resources for further reading, author's sources and an index. This book has been reviewed by experts and was written in consultation with Indigenous peoples who live in the boreal forest region.
Habitats by 
Ocean Sunlight by 
A Place to Start a Family: Poems About Creatures that Build by
A poetry collection introducing animal architects that build remarkable structures in order to attract a mate and have babies. Many animals build something--a nest, tunnel, or web--in order to pair up, lay eggs, give birth, and otherwise perpetuate their species. Organized based on where creatures live--underground, in the water, on land, or in the air--twelve poems bring fish, insects, reptiles, mammals, and birds to life. Back matter includes more information about each animal. "A fine synthesis of poetry and science" - Kirkus Reviews "An inviting introduction to a dozen industrious creatures"-Publishers Weekly "A natural for classroom use, with eye-catching art that will lure little ones in" - Booklist ILA Teachers' Choices