• Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Habitats and microhabitats). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
• Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.

1. Which habitat is the jellyfish best suited to? (the rainforest / the ocean / woodland / the Arctic (polar)) → the oceanPrompt: Think about where it could find food and stay at a good temperature.
2. Which animal would you most likely find in a pond? (a camel / a lion / a polar bear / a frog) → a frogPrompt: Which animal needs water to lay its eggs?
3. Which animal lives in the rainforest? (octopus / squirrel / badger / toucan) → toucanPrompt: Think about whether each animal suits cold, heat, water or trees.

• Show a picture of an unusual animal and ask where it might live and how it survives there.
• Share the objective: Match animals to their habitats. Read the success criteria together.

• Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
• Example: Which habitat suits this animal best: mountain goat?
• Step 1: Grippy hooves help mountain goats climb steep rocks.
• Step 2: So the answer is: mountains
• Answer: mountains
• Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.

• Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
• Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.

1. Which habitat suits this animal best: zebra? (Arctic ice / rainforest / grassland (savanna) / woodland) → grassland (savanna)Prompt: Think about what the animal needs: warmth or cold, water, trees or open space?
2. Which animal is best suited to this habitat: coral reef? (frog / clownfish / zebra / polar bear) → clownfishPrompt: Which animal's body would help it survive there?

• Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
• Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.

The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.

• Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.

1. What would probably happen to a polar bear moved to a hot desert? (It would grow scales. / It would turn into a camel. / It would overheat and struggle to find food. / It would be happier.) → It would overheat and struggle to find food.Prompt: What is its thick fur good for?
2. Which animal is best suited to this habitat: desert? (polar bear / toucan / zebra / camel) → camelPrompt: Which animal's body would help it survive there?

Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-2.