Books are a fantastic way to engage first-grade students in the learning experience. When you are teaching students about animal habitats, reading books that are about animals and where they live will help the students to retain the information, since story time is a favorite time of the school day for many. Engaging in a question-and-answer session while the story is being read will make this a memorable experience for all. Having the students act out the story they have read about the animal and its habitat is another way that will help the child maintain his interest and retain the information.
Allow your students to choose an animal and its habitat and then recreate it. Students can do this using a shoebox or cardboard box, and various arts and craft items to create his own animal habitat. For example, if the student is creating a project about a bear, she can use the box and construction paper to create some type of bear cave. Have your students write a short paragraph on what they have created and why.
By first grade, many students are already able to construct correct paragraphs and write short stories. Because of this, teachers are always finding ways for the students to fine tune their skills. An essay or short story about an animal and its habitat is a way for the students to learn while working on their research and writing skills. Have the students write a short story or essay about the animal, and then talk about the things that the animal enjoys such as a favorite food. Drawing a picture of what they write will also help them to focus and remember the taught information.
Setting up a field trip to a petting zoo or an aquarium will allow the students to have a true hands on experience with the animals. Although these areas are not the animals' natural habitat, it is the closest that many students will come to seeing the real thing. Allowing the first grade students to see these habitats for themselves will give them a better understanding and appreciation for the lesson at hand.