After researching the needs of different animals, students will choose an animal that interests them. Students will then design and create a habitat for their animal. They will need to think about the different needs for those animals and think about what their habitat would need to help meet those needs.

This parent guide supports parents in helping their child at home with the 1st Grade Science content.

This resource accompanies our Rethink 1st Grade Science Ecosystems unit. It includes ideas for use, ways to support exceptional children, ways to extend learning, digital resources and tools, tips for supporting English Language Learners and students with visual and hearing impairments. There are also ideas for offline learning.

This unit was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for 1st Grade Science in Ecosystems.

This activity is designed to help students take the research they have complete on an animal and apply what they have learned to power the Ozobot through the animal habitat. 

In this lesson, students will review living thing needs and places where they can meet their needs. They will create a maze and learn to program the sequence of steps to have a Bee-Bot navigate through it.

Mystery Doug is a FREE weekly video series where students ask questions. The videos are short, approximately five minutes long. Mystery Doug inspires students to ask questions and investigate. Some videos provide activity extensions. Students are also encouraged to submit questions.

In this short video, students will learn how female loggerhead sea turtles make their way to beaches all along the Atlantic Ocean to lay their eggs.

In this short video, students learn about the butterfly life cycle and how they can help protect and take care of butterflies and moths in their own neighborhood.

Nature happens at home. Observe regular feeder visitors to discover which birds are year-round residents and which are migratory species, here for only part of each year.

Join the Zoo's Neighborhood Naturalist digging into some soil in search of amazing and beneficial Earthworms!

The North Carolina Zoo's Neighborhood Naturalist demonstrates how to keep ourselves safe, while protecting habitats for native wildlife.

What happens when an insect is unintentionally brought into the country, has plenty to eat and very few predators? The Neighborhood Naturalist takes a look at Japanese Beetles.

Naturalists often need "tools" to assist in our learning. Binoculars help us see birds, Field Guides aid in identification. Join the Neighborhood Naturalist as he demonstrates how to make a tool that will help learn about animals that live in the water.

Using the Minnow Trap we made several weeks ago, let us take a look below the surface to see who is living in the North Carolina Zoo Wetland Pond!

You ride past them every day, but how often do you get out to appreciate the Wildflowers growing right along the side of the road? Join Mr. Bob, the Zoo's Neighborhood Naturalist as we take a walk along the shoulder of the road!

Does your dog eat their dinner quickly? In this episode of Pet Detectives, learn about some new techniques for feeding your dog, similar to strategies we use for animals at the zoo, that might change the time your dog spends eating. Changing up the feeding routine can be a great way to improve your dog’s well-being and keep your dog engaged. Let us know which of the three techniques worked best for your dog.

We have created a helpful clip if you're unable to watch the full video:
1.L.1 Foraging enrichment/feeding strategies (30 sec): https://youtu.be/p1aRQQr96xE?t=27