1. Teachers Notes: Habitat
Background
Information
This topic will examine the key elements needed within a salmon’s habitat in
order for the salmon to live and survive in it. Pupils will be encouraged to
think about their own habitat and to draw comparisons between the two.
Brief notes on the salmon’s habitat (Lesson 1)
All salmon will spend a period of their lifecycle in small streams.
Some salmon spend from 1 to 3 years feeding in small streams before
migrating to the sea.
These small streams are therefore vital to the reproduction of these fish
and should be saved from any damage or abuse.
Various factors can endanger these streams including- logging, mining,
pollution and the growth of towns.
Brief notes on the habitat at different lifecycle stages (Lesson 2)
For information on the lifecycle see teacher notes on the ‘Growing
Pains’ section of the website.
Pupils will take part in a ‘snap’ game for the Development section of
this lesson. You will have to print several copies of the snap and danger
cards which are available as resources in this section.
Rules-
In pairs each pupil will evenly split the pack of snap cards.
Pupils will take turns to turn over their cards and must be the first
to call ‘snap’ when they place the correct, matching habitat card
with the lifecycle stage.
If a pupil turns over a danger card, the other pupil is entitled to
take the cards in the pile. The game will then restart again.
Brief notes on the ‘Debate’ (Lesson 3)
Pupils will take part in a debate and role-play situations during this
lesson. Each group of pupils will take on the views and opinions of 5
different groups.
Notes and background information about each group is available on the
‘Debate Scenarios’ resource page.
Key Stage 2
Links with
Curriculum
World Around US Strands-
Interdependence- How living things depend on each other in the natural
world.
Place- Ways in which people, plants and animals depend on the features and
materials in places and how they adapt to their environment.
Change Over Time- The effects of positive and negative changes globally and
how we contribute to some of these changes.
2. The Arts Strands-
Pupils should develop their understanding of the world and explore a range
of cultural and human issues by engaging in a range of creative and
imaginative role-play situations.
Personal Development and Mutual Understanding Strands-
Mutual Understanding in the Local and Wider Community- Pupils should be
enabled to explore playing an active and meaningful part in the life of the
community and be concerned about the wider environment.
Key
Vocabulary
Habitat- stream, river, lake, sea, swim, migrate, reproduce, water flow,
water temperature, food, protection, gravel, pools, estuary, ocean,
upstream etc.
Lifecycle- eggs, alevin, fry, smolt, adult & spawner
List of
resources
provided
PowerPoint 1-Habitat
Lesson Plan 1- Home For Sale!
Advertisement Template
PowerPoint 2- Habitat & Lifecycle
Lesson Plan 2- Home Is Where The Heart Is
Snap Cards Templates
Lesson Plan 3- Debate
Debate Scenarios
Useful links Habitat facts-
http://www.canadiangeographic.ca/kids/animal-facts/salmon.asp
http://www.snh.org.uk/salmonintheclassroom/salmon_habitats.shtml
http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=26
Videos-
http://www.atlanticsalmontrust.org/salmon-life-cycle-habitat-threats-and-
concerns.html
