HC4.2
Analyze the structures and behaviours of plants and animals that enable them to exist in various habitats.
Indicators for this outcome
(a)

Generate questions to investigate about the structures (e.g., beak shape, colour markings, type of feet, and thorny branches) and behaviours (e.g., seasonal migration, living in groups, and growing towards light) of plants and animals that enable them to exist within various habitats (e.g., schoolyard, wildlife reserve area, and creek bank).

(b)

Recognize that each plant and animal depends on a specific habitat to meet its needs.

(c)

Identify factors (e.g., availability of food, water, and shelter, weather conditions, and available living space) that influence the ability of plants and animals to meet their needs within a specific habitat.

(d)

Develop and carry out a plan to investigate safely and respectfully the structures and behaviours of plants and animals within natural (e.g., school yard, meadow, forest, and park) and constructed (e.g., sports field, aquarium, and terrarium) habitats.

(e)

Record observations and information about plant and animal structures and behaviours within natural and constructed habitats using words, diagrams, graphs, photographs, audio and video recordings, and other appropriate technologies.

(f)

Compile and display data collected during a habitat study using tallies, tables, pictographs, and/or bar graphs; compare results obtained with those of other class members; and propose explanations for differences in results.

(g)

Use gathered information to explain how the structures and behaviours of animals and plants enable them to meet their basic needs (e.g., food, water, air, movement, nutrients, reproduction, and light) in their habitat.

(h)

Compare the structural features of plants that enable them to thrive in different kinds of habitats (e.g., bog, forest, grassland, school yard, garden, and sports field).

(i)

Design and carry out a simulation to explore how the appearance of a plant or animal affects its visibility.

(j)

Predict the structural and behavioural adaptations required for a real or imagined animal to live in a particular habitat, either real or imagined.

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R009254
Muskrats and Fire
Muskrats and Fire, written by Renée Carrière in collaboration with Charlebois Community School students in Cumberland House, provides a personal account of their journey to answer the question: Where have all the muskrats gone? The book weaves historical and present-day teachings shared by community Knowledge Keepers with the Saskatchewan K-12 curriculum. Stories centre around one Cree dialect and the cultural experiences of a specific community. It is not meant to encompass all Indigenous communities or cultural practices.
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Media and Formats : Document
Price : Free
free
canadiancontent
saskatchewancontent
fnmicontent
Record posted/updated: April 9, 2019
R052366
The Busy Tree
An old oak tree describes the wildlife that lives and feeds in and around it. Using rhyming couplets as descriptors, children will learn that a spider weaves a web between branches, squirrels use the branches as a sidewalk and children swing from the tree. By looking closely at the illustrations, children may also observe grubs, new leaf buds and a tiny ladybug.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $25.99
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R053549
Pearson Saskatchewan Science 4. Student Edition
Pearson Saskatchewan Science 4 is custom published for Saskatchewan and developed by a team of Saskatchewan teachers. Each unit starts with a list of "Big Ideas" that set the focus for the unit. A Big Idea then provides the title for each section in the unit. Throughout the unit, opportunities are provided for students to work together, communicate ideas, perform experiments and carry out library and Internet research. Key vocabulary is bolded throughout the unit and an explanation of each term is provided. All key terms and explanations are also listed in a glossary at the back of the text. First Nations and Métis content, perspectives and ways of knowing are an integral part of the Saskatchewan science text. Highlights of the activities and achievements of Saskatchewan men and women are provided in the "Ask..." feature. In each unit, the Ask... feature provides access to the wisdom of a First Nations or Métis Elder or Traditional Knowledge Keeper, who shares an oral story related to the content of that unit.
(More information)
•  Pearson Saskatchewan Science 4. SMART Notebook Lessons
•  Pearson Saskatchewan Science 4. Teacher's Resource Kit
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $79.27
Record posted/updated: October 13, 2019
R048741
Fire! The Renewal of a Forest
The forest has been dry and scorched for weeks. One afternoon, a hot wind blows and storm clouds gather. Lightning strikes a tree in the meadow and ignites the dry vegetation. No life remains in the burnt forest. As the years slowly pass, seeds start to germinate and small creatures inhabit the forest. Students will learn that fire is sometimes good for the regeneration of forests.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $12.95
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R043774
Ice Bear: In the Steps of the Polar Bear
The Inuit have watched and learned from the polar bear for generations. Davies describes the adaptations the polar bear has undergone to survive in the Arctic. The polar bear is able to swim and walk for hundreds of kilometres in search of food. At the same time, the polar bear is gentle with her newborn cubs. She will protect and feed the cubs for two years before they are able to hunt on their own. Through observing the polar bear, the Inuit have learned to hide from blizzards in a house of snow, to hunt for seals and to survive in the Arctic.
(More information)
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $8.00
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R071711
Saskatchewan's Native Prairie: Taking Stock of a Vanishing Ecosystem and Dwindling Resource
This booklet presents information on Saskatchewan's native prairie. It briefly examines the impact of settlement on the region and the importance of the prairie landscape to culture and heritage. Maps, charts and graphs, focusing on the southern half of the province, illustrate prairie ecoregions, vegetation cover and soil capability. Threats to the prairie landscape are identified, as well as conservation initiatives. Numerous sources of additional information are provided.
Media and Formats : Document
Price : Free
free
canadiancontent
saskatchewancontent
fnmicontent
Record posted/updated: July 31, 2019
R042447
Chameleon, Chameleon
Young children will travel with the chameleon as he searches for a new home. Waking up one morning, the chameleon discovers there is no more food. As he slowly moves down the tree and across the rain forest floor, the chameleon meets other animals and not all are friendly. The chameleon finds another tree to call home and best of all, there is food. After eating a caterpillar, another chameleon shows her aggressive colours while she determines whether the new visitor is a friend or foe.
Additional information on chameleons can be found at the back of the book.
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Media and Formats : Book
Price : $16.95
Record posted/updated: July 8, 2024
R028571
Hands-on Science Grade 4: An Inquiry Approach(WNCP ed.)
This new edition contains easy-to-follow lesson plans that incorporate an inquiry-based approach to learning. The student-centred activities also include ideas for integrating Indigenous knowledge, multicultural connections and real-world applications into each lesson. The four units contained in the resource are: Habitats and Communities; Light; Sound and Rocks, Minerals, and Erosion.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $124.00
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R041678
Nature in the Neighborhood
Many students live in the city and know very little about nature. Morrison reveals the diversity and abundance of life that can be found as close as your own backyard. The book takes the reader through the seasonal changes that occur. The various life forms that reside in the habitat are described. Examples include an earthworm, a weed and a mourning dove.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $9.95
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R052953
Way Cool Science. All About Ecosystems and Biomes
In this video program, students learn about the seven major biomes on Earth. They also discover the symbiotic relationships between life species, how plants and animals have adapted to survive in the biomes and that individual biomes exist within each major biome.
Media and Formats : CD/DVD
Price : $63.98
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R026687
Focused Study. Connecting Interdependence and Native Plants in Saskatchewan. Grade 4
The scope of this study guide includes connecting interdependence between species, communities and habitats, and other related topics, with a focus on native plants in Saskatchewan. Students should be encouraged to understand the interdependent links between native plants, the environment on which we depend, and some of the effects human activities have had on the environment and native plant communities. The study ends with a brief look at the importance of stewardship and taking care of our environment.
(More information)
Media and Formats : Document
Price : Free
free
canadiancontent
saskatchewancontent
fnmicontent
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R071670
The Bulrush Helps the Pond = Otawask wicihtaw tawanipeyanik
Written in Swampy Cree and English, this book provides students with an appreciation of the diversity and fragility of the prairie wetland ecosystem. Mr. Carriere describes the bulrushes through the seasons and how the various animals, insects and birds rely on the bulrushes and ponds for survival. The book demonstrates that traditional First Nations knowledge is parallel to Western science.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $9.99
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R047038
In My Backyard
Children discover the animals that live in their backyards throughout the year. The wren is often the first sign that spring has arrived. Toads, snails and snakes can be found in the backyard. Other animals featured in the book include a hummingbird, wasps and spiderlings, bats and possums.
Each two-page spread is illustrated with paper-sculpture art. One page is done in colour and the corresponding page is in white. Each illustration provides a clue to the next animal on the following page.
The book includes a legend that contains brief information about each animal in the book.
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Media and Formats : Book
Price : $21.99
Record posted/updated: July 8, 2024
R047233
The Beavers' Big House = Lii kastorr leu groos maenzoon
Two beavers, Baptiste and Betsy, live in the forest. As they build their dam, other forest animals drop by and tell them not to work so hard. When a forest fire burns, the two beavers rally the other forest animals to battle the fire.
Included with the original paperback book is a CD with an English and Michif narration of the text.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : Free
free
canadiancontent
saskatchewancontent
fnmicontent
Record posted/updated: July 8, 2024
R051310
The Classification of Organisms
Scientists have long been involved in naming and categorizing the vast array of life on Earth. This video program highlights the major advances concerning the classification of life, more specifically focusing on current trends in systematics and taxonomy. Concepts and terminology discussed in the video include: scientific name, binomial nomenclature, taxa, domains, Archea, Bacteria, Eukarya, evolutionary, relationships, systematic biology, phylogeny, and taxonomy.
Media and Formats : CD/DVD
Price : $69.95
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R043349
Grasslands
This video program explores the characteristics of a grassland biome. It illustrates the effect of climate on soil type, vegetation and wildlife. Abiotic and biotic factors are introduced and a straightforward demonstration clarifies their relationship. The program addresses agricultural practices that support or destroy grassland habitats. Plant adaptations and food chains are also discussed.
Teachers may wish to use other programs from the Biomes of the World in Action series. Program titles include Coniferous Forest, Deciduous Forests, Deserts, Freshwater Ecosystems, Marine Ecosystems, Rainforest Biomes and Tundra.
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Media and Formats : CD/DVD
Price : $119.99
Record posted/updated: July 8, 2024
R049385
Ecology Fundamentals
This video introduces students to some of the fundamental principles in ecology - the study of how living things interact with each other and with their environment. The different types of living and non-living things found in an ecosystem are discussed. Examples of the interaction of living and non-living factors are provided. Other terminology includes: ecology, ecosystem, community, population, habitat, niche, biotic factors, abiotic factors, producer, consumer, decomposer, predator, prey, energy and food chain.
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Media and Formats : CD/DVD
Price : $49.95
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R051762
Survival at 40 Below
The animals that live on the tundra must prepare for survival in the winter months. Miller describes the adaptations that various species use to survive in the Arctic. The Arctic ground squirrel stores berries and seeds for survival. A frog partially freezes and hibernates until spring. Birds, such as ptarmigan, can survive during the day, but must find shelter for night. As spring arrives, the tundra is revitalized as various animals come out of hibernation.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $10.50
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R052981
Polar Worlds: Life at the Ends of the Earth
Bateman introduces students to the world's polar regions. Divided into sections, he offers a short introduction to the topic. Wildlife species are presented over a two-page spread. One page is a painting of the species and the opposite page contains a fact box and information about the species. Bateman also discusses survival in the habitat and migration. The book includes a glossary.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $19.99
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R049733
Ice Bears
Two polar bear cubs are born in the Arctic. As the mother nurses the cubs, they grow plump and are soon ready to leave the snow den. When the animals venture outside, the mother polar bear teaches the cubs how to survive in the Arctic. The cubs learn how to walk on ice, how to capture a ring seal for food and how to escape mosquitoes.
Additional information at the back of the text includes an Arctic ice report and a listing of organizations that are working to help the environment.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $8.99
Record posted/updated: July 8, 2024
R051360
The Life of Birds
Birds are a vertebrate group with which we are all familiar. This beautiful and colorful video explores the major characteristics, adaptations, and life cycles of this group of animals. Special emphasis is paid to the features that enable birds to fly. Vivid footage from throughout the world also illustrates some of the major groups of birds. Concepts and terminology include: flight, wings, contour feathers, down feathers, endothermic, crop, gizzard, four-chambered heart, amniotic egg, albumin, yolk, incubation, Archaeopteryx, Passeriformes, Piciformes, Charadriiformes, Falconiformes, and Anseriformes.
(More information)
Media and Formats : CD/DVD
Price : $69.95
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R052982
Vanishing Habitats
Habitats around the world are under threat. A habitat can be large (e.g., a forest) or small (e.g., a dog's fur). Bateman briefly introduces the habitat and some of the species that are under threat in the environment. Some of the habitats that students will learn about include shorelines, oceans, wetlands and old growth forests. The book includes a glossary.
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $19.99
Record posted/updated: November 28, 2018
R072206
Rain Forest
Dr. Nalini Nadkarni studies the rain forest. Students are introduced to the animals and plants that live in the rain forest. The text is divided into sections.
In the first section, Dr. Nadkarni introduces the humid forest floor. In the second section, Dr. Nadkarni prepares to climb towards the rain forest canopy. She discusses the climbers and clingers, gliders and how to get to the top of the canopy. At the top of the canopy, the tallest trees in the world emerge. There are treetop dwellers, a cloud forest and the types of research taking place in the rain forest.
Dr. Nadkarni also discusses human life in the rain forest and adaptations people have made to live in the environment.
(More information)
Media and Formats : Book
Price : $17.95
Record posted/updated: July 8, 2024