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Backyard Explorer 3 to 5 / Week 02 / Explorer Day
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Week 02 · Map Your Habitat

Explorer Day

Explorer Day: Draw the Habitat Map
// Food, water, cover and space, drawn from above
⏱ about 15 min

Explorer Day: Draw the Habitat Map

The workshop table is covered in paper, pencils and three colors of marker.

Rocket draws the fence with a ruler. Raven adds the tree, the bush and the dripping faucet.

The whole family argues happily about where the afternoon shade ends.

Nova projects the real yard from above so they can check. "Close," she says. "Very close."

  1. A habitat supplies food, water, cover and space.
  2. A habitat map shows the place from above, with a key for the symbols.
  3. Sun and shade move during the day, so check them twice.
  4. Small water and low cover count. A grown-up lifts anything heavy.
  5. A living thing can survive well, less well or not at all in a spot.
◇ DRAW THE FINISHED HABITAT MAP
Get a big sheet of paper. Start fresh, or finish the map you began this week.
Draw the edge of your space and the big fixed things from above.
Add symbols for morning sun, afternoon sun, water and cover.
Pick one living thing. Mark three spots with a smile, a flat line or a frown.
Make the map key. Check that every symbol on the map is in it.
Give your map a title and the date. Hang it up near your field notebook.
Safety first
Stay with your grown-up when you go outside to check.
Look with your eyes. Never touch a wild animal, insect, nest, egg, mushroom or unknown plant.
A grown-up lifts any rock or log. You only look.
Wash your hands when you come inside.
For a grown-up
Let your child decide the symbols and the ratings. Ask why for each one.
Walk the space together once more before the map is final.
Ask: what could we add to make one so-so spot a good one?
MAP CHECK
  • Read the question.
  • Tap your answer.
Which belongs in the map key?
A spot with water and food but no cover. Which rating fits a small bird?
When should you check sun and shade?
What are the four things every habitat must supply?
WHY THIS EXERCISEFood, water, cover and space. Every habitat, every living thing.

A real habitat map! Next week you meet the birds who use it, and how they are built.

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