In Organisms and Their Habitats students explore how plants and animals depend on their surroundings to survive. The habitat plants and animals live in is primary when it comes to meeting their various needs. For example, butterflies (and other pollinators) need flowering plants, and flowering plants also need butterflies (as well as other pollinators and seed or fruit spreaders). All plants, including those that support butterflies, also need light and water.

This unit introduces Grade 2 students to the interdependence of plants and animals to the ecosystems in which they live. Students will plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need air, sunlight, and water to grow. They will develop a model that mimics the function of an animal dispersing seeds or pollinating plants and make observations of plants and animals to compare diversity of life in different habitats. Students are also not expected to identify specific plant and animal names in specific habitats.

This series of lessons incorporates learning goals that support the principles and practices of engineering design, such as defining problems, testing materials, and evaluating possible solutions. By using prior knowledge, observations, and hands-on experiences, students will apply what they have learned to meet the needs of butterflies in a sustainable habitat and determine what it takes to make a natural butterfly habitat.