Why do animals and plants live where they do?

Kindergarten Science study at

Auke Bay Elementary

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Look at this picture closely

What do you see?

What do you think?

What do you wonder?

Learning Objectives

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• I know what living things need to survive.
• I can show how everything in a habitat is connected.
• I can explain how plants and animals change things in their habitat to get what they need.
• I understand that humans can change the environment.
• I know how humans can show respect for the land, air, water, and other living things.

I know what living things need to survive

01

What does this plant need to survive?

The kanat'á (blueberry) needs:

Water

Sun

Air

Soil

Space

If you were a kanat'á (blueberry) plant, where would you want to live?

Forest

Beach

The Forest!

Forest

The forest has:

• Fresh water
• Good soil for roots to dig in
• Enough sun but not too much
• Air
• Space

Why is this lóol (fireweed) so happy living in the meadow?

Does it have everything it needs to survive?

Do you think a cactus would like to live here?

What does this animal need to survive?

The ch'áak' (eagle) needs:

Water

Air

Food

Place (shelter and space)

If you were a ch'áak' (eagle), where would you want to live?

Forest

Beach

If you were a ch'áak' (eagle), where would you want to live?

Forest

The forest has:

• Water
• Lots of food
• Space
• Air

What does these animals need to survive?

Lingít (humans) need:

Water

Air

Food

Place (shelter and space)

Investigation

1. Go outside and find a plant.
2. Go to a different place and see if you can find the same plant.
3. Is it the same size, shape, and color in both places? Is it only found in certain places?
4. Why does your plant seem to like one place more than another?

I can show how everything in a habitat is connected

02

What other parts of the land are connected to the kanat'á (blueberry)?

Gagaan

Sun

Kanat'á Blueberry

Shoox'

Robin

How are these things connected?

Kanat'á Blueberry

Gagaan

Sun

Shoox'

Robin

Ch'áak' Eagle

How are these things connected?

Tl'úk'x Worm

Kanat'á Blueberry

Gagaan

Sun

Shoox'

Robin

Ch'áak' Eagle

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Who is the worm

connected to?

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How are these things connected?

Investigation

• Find a plant, animal, or insect
• Try to figure out what it eats, what eats it, where is its home, and what happens when it dies?
• Draw a picture of all of these things, or make a model in the field.

I can explain how plants and animals change things in their habitat to get what they need

03

What did the ch'áak' (eagle) build its nest out of?

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How did that change the forest?

What was the squirrel eating?

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How did that change the forest?

Why did the beaver cut the tree down?

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How did that change the forest?

Investigation

• Go outside and find evidence of an animal
• What is your evidence and can you learn from it?
• Solve the mystery: why do you think they were here? What were they doing?
• How did they change the forest/beach/muskeg/meadow?

I understand that humans can change the environment

04

What did humans build or change in this photo?

Do you recognize this place?

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What have humans built or changed in this photo?

This is a photo from 1962 taken from an airplane looking down.

This is the same place, but the picture was taken 60 years later. What is the same? What is different?

Can you tell what has been built by humans?

Can you tell what has been built by humans?

Investigation

• Look at the new parking lot by the boat launch.
• Draw a picture of what you think it looked like before they built it.
• Do you think any plants or animals made this area their home? What happened to them?
• Do you think any new plants or animals live there now?

I know how humans can show respect for Haa Aaní

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05

Take only what you need

Always ask the land for permission, and give thanks for what you use.

Notice how your body can hurt or heal other things

Be kind

Try growing something!

You can help nature by adding to it

Investigation

• Tell a story about how you and your family use the land.
• How do you show respect and appreciation for it?
• What is your favorite part of nature?
• How can you be kind to it or share your love with someone else?