SCIENCE MATTERS!

BIBI YASMIN HATIM

SCIENCE
MATTERS!
Renewed Concepts for Grade 3

BIBI YASMIN HATIM 1

SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Acknowledgment

The author wants to thank everyone who has contributed to completing this book
series.

Science Matters!
Renewed Concepts for Grade 3

First Edition: October 2022

Author: Bibi Yasmin Hatim
Illustrator: Bibi Yasmin Hatim

Published by:

Cover Design by: Bibi Yasmin Hatim

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval
system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission in writing of the
publisher. This book is sold subject to the conditions that it shall not, by way of trade
or otherwise, be lent, re-sold, hired out circulated without the publisher’s prior consent
in any form of binding or cover other than which it is published and without a similar
condition including this condition being imposed on the subsequent purchaser.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

TABLE OF CONTENT
PAGE

FORCE AND INTERACTIONS

UNIT 1: FORCE 6
UNIT 2: MOTION 37
UNIT 3: ELECTRICITY 50
UNIT 4: MAGNET 61

RELATIONSHIPS IN THE ECOSYSTEM

UNIT 1: ANIMALS IN GROUPS 78

UNIT 2: HABITATS 92
UNIT 3: HABITAT CHANGE 161

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

FORCE AND
KEY TERMS:
INTERACTIONS Force: power, energy, or
physical strength.

UNIT 1: FORCE Motion: the process,

manner, or continuous
action of moving;
movement.

Gravity: the force by which

A force is a push or a pull. When the all objects in the universe
are attracted to each
wind pushes a sailboat through the other.
water, it is exerting a force. When
Rest: a state of relaxation or
gravity pulls an apple toward the sleep that heals or refreshes
the body
ground, that is a force as well. Forces can
Unbalanced force:
make things move, change their speed, Unbalanced forces change
the motion of an object.
or change their shape.
Balanced force: when two
different forces of equal
strength push against each
other in opposite directions,
creating a balance.

Friction: the rubbing of

objects against each other.

Elastic forces: The force that

allows some materials to
return to its original shape
after being stretched or
compressed.

Weight: a particular
amount of this quality.
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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

UNIT 1: FORCE

FORCES IN MOTION AND FORCES AT REST

Look at the diagrams

Use two bottles and do the same thing.

When you apply force as in diagram A what happened?

……………………………………………………………………………………
When you do not apply force as in diagram B what happened?

……………………………………………………………………………………
What causes the changes?

……………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

WHAT IS FORCE?
A force is a push or pull. When the wind pushes a coconut along
the water, it is exerting force. When gravity pulls a mango toward
the ground, that is a force as well. Force can make things move,
change speed, or change their shape.

Think about the forces each machine uses to work. Write either
push or pull under each.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Forces can:

Change the direction Change the shape of

Turn things.
of an object. something.

Forces can cause objects to:

When a ball is When something moves at a When the car’s tires are
constant speed in the same
thrown, it causes direction it is a balanced force.
moving against the
motion. When the car changes direction, pavement it creates
speed, or position it is an friction.
unbalanced force.

Gravity is a force that A force is a push or pulls that A net force is the overall
causes an object to stop, move, or
holds objects down change direction. Sometimes a
force acting on an object,
force can be applied by people, it it is measured in newtons.
is called an applied force.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Forces can cause objects to:

• Move with constant motion (speed)
• Stop
• Slow down or move faster (acceleration/deceleration)
• oppose each other to prevent motion
Investigation: How forces cause objects to
Read the scenario and complete the table.
Scenario What changes will Type of Force
occur?
Squeezing a piece
of sponge
A football kicked
into the air
Moving a bag in a
wheelbarrow
Drawing brakes on a
bicycle.

When a force acts on an object, the object may change shape

by bending, stretching or compressing - or a combination of all
three shape changes.
Effects Of Force on an Object

The idea of a force is a push or a pull.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

The figure shows a boy applying force to push a ball and another
applying force to pull a kite.

The action of a force can causes

• a stationary object to move,
• a moving object to change its speed,
• a moving object to change its direction of motion,
• an object to change in size and shape.

Force has the following effects on objects

Force can make a stationary object move or make a moving

object move faster

Use a toy car or football. Give the toy car a push or the football a
kick. What happened to the objects?

A force can make a stationary object move, and it can also make
an already moving object move faster.
Force can slow down or completely stop a moving object

When riding a bicycle and you pull the brakes, what happened?

To stop or slow down a moving object, we need to apply a force

in a direction opposite to the direction of motion of the moving
body.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Force can change the direction of a moving object

if you are playing cricket and you hit the ball bowled to you,
where will the ball go?

force changes the direction of a moving object.

Force can change the shape or size of an object

While making roti, we change the shape of the dough by

applying force with our hands.

The shape of a rubber band changes when it is pulled.

You can also break things by applying a force. Materials that

break easily when we apply a force are termed brittle. For
example, objects made of glass and clay break easily when we
apply force on them.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Elastic force is the push or pull exerted in objects with elastic

properties.

Match the picture to how forces are used in the pictures.

a stationary object to move

a moving object to change

its speed,

a moving object to change

its direction of motion,

an object to change in size

and shape.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

ACTIVITY

Aim: To study the effect of force on different objects.

Materials needed: Playdough, metal spring, rubber bands, table,

chair, toy car, and ball.

Method: Apply a force with your hand (by giving a push or pull) on
each of these objects and see how it affects them.

Classify your observations.

a stationary object to move,

a moving object to change

its speed,

a moving object to change its

direction of motion,

an object to change in size and

shape.

Observation:

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Studying the Effect of Force on Objects

Description How to Diagram Action of force

of situation apply Change Change
force in state of in shape
motion
Yes / No Yes / No

Pressing it
A lump of
down
dough on
with your
a plate
hands

Spring fixed
By sitting
to the seat
on the
of a
seat
bicycle

A rubber
band
By hanging
suspended
a weight or
from a
by pulling
hook/ nail
its free end
fixed on a
wall

A plastic or By putting
metal a weight
scale at the
placed centre of
between the scale
two bricks Tab

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

BALANCE AND UNBALANCED FORCE

Balanced Forces
Experiment Time!
Place a full bucket of water on the ground and push it. What
happened? Did it move?

Force applied to push

the bucket

The bucket did not

move

It was standing still, or at rest. A force was applied to it, the bucket
stayed at rest. Its motion did not change. The forces acting on the
bucket were balanced.

Balanced forces are equal in size and opposite in direction. When

forces are balanced, there is no change in motion.

When the heavy bucket was pushed lightly, it was pushed in one
direction, but a different force, called friction, pushed back in the
opposite direction. The two forces were equal in size and opposite
in direction, so they cancelled out each other, and no motion
occurred.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Balanced forces can be demonstrated in hanging, floating, and

standing or sitting objects.

Hanging objects

Take a look at this hanging glass bulb shade. The weight of the
bulb shade pulls down, and the tension in the cable pulls up. The
forces pulling down and pulling up can be said to be in balance.

Floating objects

Take a look at this log floating in a pool of water. It is floating

because the weight of the log is balanced by the upthrust from
the water. If more weight is tied to the log, the force pulling it
down maybe more and will cause it to sink.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Standing/Sitting on a surface

Consider a metal block resting on a surface of a table. Its weight is

balanced by the reaction force from the surface. The surface
pushes up against the metal block, balancing out the weight
(force) of the metal block.

Unbalanced Forces
When forces on an object are balanced, there is no change in
speed or direction.
So, what do you need to do to move something?
If something starts to move, it must be because unbalanced
forces are acting on it.
To have unbalanced forces means that the force applied in one
direction is greater than the force applied in the opposite
direction.
When unbalanced forces are acting on an object, there is a
change in speed and/or direction.
When you pushed lightly on the bucket in the class demonstration,
it did not move. It moved only when you pushed on it hard
enough. To move the bucket, the force you applied had to be
greater than the friction force acting in the opposite direction.
One force (pushing) had to be greater than the other force
(friction) before the bucket would move.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

When one force is greater than another, the forces are not
balanced, they are unbalanced. By applying an unbalanced
force, you can change the motion of an object.

Unbalanced forces can make an object at rest start moving,

make a moving object stop, or change the direction and speed
of the object.
Unbalanced forces causes can cause:

• a still object to move

• a moving object to speed up or slow down
• a moving object to stop
• a moving object to change direction

Unbalanced forces make the wagon in the diagram speed up.

Notice that because there is a bigger force and a smaller force

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

involved, the direction of the wagon will be determined by the

bigger force. The wagon is moving as a result of unbalanced
forces.

Look at the at the tug of war going on.

Make a comment on what happened in each.

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
Think about the terms, balanced and unbalanced. Which is
balanced and which is unbalanced?

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
Balanced & Unbalanced Forces
• Force has both strength and direction.
• Unbalanced forces cause an object to change its motion.
• Balanced forces do not cause a change in motion.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Draw something with balanced forces acting on it.

Draw something with unbalanced forces acting on it.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Look at each diagram. Write balanced forces or unbalanced

forces.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

BALANCED OR UNBALANCED FORCES?

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

GRAVITY
The force of gravity pulls things toward the centre of Earth.
Try this: Put a pencil on a table. Does it move? Why do you think
this happens?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

Now: Gently push the pencil off the edge of the table. What
happens? Why do you think this happens?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………
Look at the pictures and complete

Draw an arrow to show which Draw an arrow to show which

way gravity is pulling on the way the chair is pushing on the
person. person.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Why is the person not moving?

LET’S READ!
What is Gravity
You may have seen pictures of astronauts. They float around in
space. They fly in a space shuttle. Have you ever wondered why
they float? Your feet stay firmly on the ground. Why don’t theirs?
When you drop something, why does it fall? The answer to these
questions is something called gravity. It affects everything we do.
Many years ago, a man named Sir Isaac Newton wondered
about gravity, too. He watched and tested the way things move
and fall on Earth. He wrote his ideas down. Scientists today use a
lot of his ideas. Those ideas are now considered laws of science.
Gravity is a force that makes all objects attracted to each other.
The bigger the object is, the more it attracts things. Since nothing
on Earth is bigger than planet Earth itself, all the things and people
on Earth are attracted by Earth. Everything is pulled toward the
centre of the planet. That is why things fall to the
ground. It is also why people and things stay on the ground
instead of floating around in space. Earth is even large enough to
attract our moon. That’s why we can see it in our sky!

Answer the following questions based on the reading

passage. Don’t forget to go back to the passage
whenever necessary to find or confirm your answers.

1) Why do your feet stay on the ground instead of floating?

2) Who was the scientist who did experiments with gravity and
motion many years ago?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

3) Why are things and people attracted to Earth?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

4) What can we see in the sky because of gravity?

……………………………………………………………………………………

5) What would it be like if there were no gravity on Earth?

……………………………………………………………………………………

Effects of gravity on objects

Gravity in Action!

The size of an object’s surface area affects how it pushes through

the air as it falls. But no matter how heavy or light two objects are,
gravity will always make them fall to the ground at the same
speed.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Sometimes, however, air resistance stops one object from falling

as quickly as another. For example, if you drop a bowling ball and
a feather, gravity will make them drop at the same speed. But the
feather’s shape will start to create more friction with the air,
making it float down more slowly than the bowling ball.

Let’s investigate how objects of different weights and surface

areas fall to the ground!

Method: 1.

In your results table, make a list of pairs of objects with different

surface areas for testing.

For example:
• two pieces of A4 paper,
• one screwed-up and one flat;
• a pebble and a feather;
• a pebble and a ball of paper;
• a marble and a tennis ball or
• a sheet of paper and a feather.

2. Predict what will happen for each pair when the objects are
dropped from the same height. Will they hit the ground at the
same time, or will one object fall more slowly due to air resistance?

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Predictions:

I think that the screwed-up piece of A4 paper will hit the ground

…………………………than the flat piece of paper. I think this

because
……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

Now write out your predictions using the above format for the
other pairs of objects.

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

3. Now get testing! Ask a partner to hold the A4 sheet of paper in

one hand and the screwed-up A4 sheet of paper in the other
hand at arm’s length. When you give the instruction, your partner
must drop the two pieces of paper at exactly the same time. If
you have a tablet, use it to record what happens. You can then
rewind your video and slow it down to help with your observations.
4. Repeat this test two more times and record what happens in
your results table.

Did the pieces of paper hit the ground at the same time? Did one
fall faster than the other? Do you think this has something to do
with the shape of the paper and air resistance? Why?

5. Repeat this same process with your other pairs of objects,

observing and recording your results carefully.

Pairs of Objects Observations Conclusions

a pebble and a
feather

a pebble and a
ball of paper

one screwed-up
and one flat

two pieces of A4
paper,

a marble and a
tennis ball

a sheet of paper
and a feather

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Compare and Contrast

Compare and contrast how objects fall under the influence of
gravity. Choose a pair of the objects and complete the chart.

……………………………… ……………………………………

……………………………… ……………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

FRICTION

Friction is the force between two objects in contact with each

other that will resist an attempt to move them. Friction can slow
things down and sometimes make things go faster because of the
grip that it causes.

Friction and gravity exist in every aspect of a person’s life.

For example, almost every movement you make, such as walking

and running, involves friction.

When you throw a ball up, gravity causes the ball to fall down.

A person sliding a book across a table creates friction.

Force affects gravity and friction in different ways.

Example

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

For each situation, draw and label one arrow to show the pull of
gravity and one to show the force of friction.

These kids are rolling a toy car down a ramp. They want to see
how far it will roll on different surfaces. They recorded their data in
a chart.

What force made the car roll down the ramp?

Circle one: friction gravity

What force made the car slow down and stop rolling?

Circle one: friction gravity

Which surface had the most friction?

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

How do you know?

Which surface had the least friction?

How do you know?

If you wanted the car to roll a long way, would you choose
carpet or wood?

Why?

Effect of force on our daily life

• The opening and shutting of a door.

• Ball kicking.
• Wet clothing squeezing.
• Cycle pedalling.
• Pushing or towing a shopping cart.
• Box-pushing.
• Rubbing.
• Brake applied to the vehicle.
• Orange squeezing.
• Squeezing the tube of toothpaste.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

State how the person in the pictures is using pictures.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Draw yourself doing a chore.

How are you using force in the drawing.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

FORCE AND
INTERACTIONS
UNIT 2: MOTION
Key terms
Speed: the act of moving
rapidly or swiftly.

Acceleration: the act or

Motion is a kind of puzzle because every object in
process of increasing speed.
the universe is in motion. This means that no frame
Deceleration: to lower the
of reference is correct in every situation. For speed of; decrease in
example, a car is in motion when the ground is the velocity; slow down.

frame of reference. In this situation, we think of the

Direction: A direction is the
ground as not moving. But the ground, a part of line or course along which
Earth, is in motion when the Sun is used as the something moves, lies, or
points.
frame of reference. This is because Earth travels
Increase force and Decrease
around the Sun. force: The acceleration of an
object depends on two
things—the object’s mass
and the size of the applied
force. The greater the force
applied to an object, the
more that object will
accelerate; the greater the
mass of an object, the less
that object will accelerate.
Patterns of motions: A
pattern of motion is the
repeated process of an
object moving.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

UNIT 2: MOTION
How forces cause objects to move

A force is a push or a pull that causes an object to move, stop, or

change speed or direction. Every time you push or pull something
you apply a force. Forces transfer energy. It also produce a
motion.

When you throw a ball, the force of your arm pushes the ball into
the air. Energy is transferred from your arm to the ball.

An object will stay in place until a force sets it in motion.

The pull of gravity is a force that might set an object in motion. The
pull or push of a magnet is another force that can move
objects. The force you exert with your legs or arms can set a ball
in motion.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

An object will continue to move until a force slows or stops it. The
force stopping the object's motion might be an obvious one - the
ground!

Friction is a force that slows or stops motion. Friction is the

resistance to motion created by two objects rubbing against each
other (the sled and the snow, for instance). Even air causes
friction. Friction creates heat.

The effect of a force depends on the object's mass. More massive

objects have more "inertia". This means a force will have less
effect on a more massive object. For example, pushing a light
plastic ball is easier than a more massive boulder. It's also harder
to stop a boulder when it is rolling down a slope. The more massive
boulder has more "inertia".

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Choose the effect that force has on these objects. Match:

How motion caused by a force has a direction, speed and

acceleration

Forces and Movement

When a force acts on an object, it often makes it move faster or in

a different direction.

Once something is moving, you don't need a force to keep it

moving: it will carry on moving all by itself unless another force
stops it.

When a rocket blasts into space, you need a force to make it lift
off, to begin with and to overcome the force of Earth's gravity. But
once the rocket is in space, it will carry on moving all by itself until
and unless another force stops it.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Any time you want to make something speed up (accelerate) or

slow down (decelerate), you need to use a force. In fact, you
always need to use force if you want to alter how something is
moving.

Write yes or no beside each picture below to say whether or not

the player is using a force that will make the ball change
direction.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

You can use force to make something move, stop it, speed it up,
slow it down, change its direction, or change its shape.

Draw lines to match.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Speed
Speed can change in distance over time and objects can have a
constant speed or changing speed.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Jason and Eduardo were having fun blowing at a ping–pong ball

through straws. Draw a line from each picture to the words on the
right that explain what will happen to the ping–pong ball.
The ball in not
moving It will speed up

The ball is rolling It will slow down

away from Jason

The ball is rolling It will start to

toward Jason move.

The ball is rolling

across the table It will not move.

Eduardo is
blowing from the It will change
other side, just as direction.
hard as Jason.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What happened with the ping–pong ball when it was blown hard?

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………
What happened with the ping–pong ball when it was blown hard?

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

What can you say about speed?

……………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………

Speed: the rate at which someone or something moves or

operates or is able to move or operate.
PATTERNS OF MOTION

Linear motion means something Draw something with linear

moves in a straight line. motion.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Rotation is when something Draw something with rotational

spins. motion.

When something moves around Draw something with revolves.

something else in a circle, we
call it a revolving motion.

When something rotates while Draw something with a rolling

moving in a straight line, we say motion.
that it rolls.

when they are in motion.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

For each pattern of motion, draw what comes next.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Think of an example for each. Draw and write about it.

Use force to make a stationary object start moving.

Use force to make a moving object change directions.

Use force to make a moving object change speed.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Acceleration and Deceleration

WHAT IS ACCELERATION?

Acceleration is the rate of change of speed.

A car can have an acceleration when it is speeding up and a

deceleration when it is slowing down depending on its direction of
travel.

When a car is speeding up, its acceleration is in the same

direction of its velocity.

When a car is slowing down, its acceleration is in the opposite

direction of its velocity

Acceleration (increasing speed) and deceleration (decreasing

speed) should not be confused with the directions of velocity and
acceleration:

For example, when you throw a ball into the air, it experiences a
velocity change. Because the acceleration's direction is pointing
towards the Earth, the ball will decelerate (slow down) when
moving up and accelerate (speed up) when falling down.

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 FORCES AND
SCIENCE MATTERS! KEY TERMS:
BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Static Electricity is the build-

INTERACTION up of the electrical charge in
an object when it is rubbed
against another object.
UNIT 3: An insulator is a material
which does not easily allow
ELECTRICITY heat and/or electricity to
pass through it.
Conductors are substances
that an electric charge can
Static electricity is the imbalance of electric charge on a pass through without
surface of a material. Static means fixed or stationary, difficulty.

therefore it is used in contrast to dynamic A molecule is two or more

(moving) electricity which are in the form of electric atoms joined (or “bonded”)
tightly together. The number
currents.
and kinds of atoms in a
Typically atoms are neutral, which means they have the molecule, and the way they
same number of electrons and protons. However, atoms are arranged, determine
what substance it makes
become charged when there is an imbalance in the
amounts of these particles, which can happen fairly easily Atoms – the smallest particle
for certain materials. of a chemical element that
can exist

Neutrons – a particle of about

the same mass as a proton
but without an electric
charge

Protons – a stable particle

with a positive electric
charge equal in size to that of
an electron

Electrons – a stable particle

with a charge of negative
electricity, found in all atoms
and it acts as the primary
carrier of electricity in solids

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

UNIT 3: ELECTRICITY

STATIC ELECTRICITY
What is Static Electricity?

Static electricity is the build-up of an electrical charge on the

surface of an object.

The reason that it’s actually called static electricity is because the
charges stay in one area for some time and don’t flow or move to
a different area.

Atoms are made up of neutrons, protons, and electrons. The

electrons spin around on the outside.

A static charge happens when two surfaces touch each other

and the electrons move from one object to another. One of the
objects will have a positive charge and the other a negative
charge.

If you rub an object quickly, like a balloon, or your feet on the

carpet, these will build-up a rather large charge.

50
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What Causes Static Electricity?

Static electricity is created when positive and negative charges

are not balanced.

Items with different charges (positive and negative) will attract

each other, while items with similar charges (positive and positive)
will push away from each other. It’s kind of like a magnet!

positive and positive or

positive and negative
negative and negative

How is Static Electricity Used?

Static electricity has quite a few uses, here are some:

• It is used in printers and photocopiers where static electric
charges attract the ink, or toner, to the paper.
• Other uses include paint sprayers, air filters, and dust
removal.

Lightning

Lightning is simply a powerful electric charge.

When rain clouds form, the ice particles and
water droplets in the clouds rub vigorously
against each other, losing lots of electric
charge. When other lighter clouds with more
charges come into contact with the rain
clouds electrons are discharged. The
discharge produces a lot of heat and the
spark that results in what we see as lightning.

51
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

When non-conductive materials (plastic, rubber, and glass) are

rubbed against each other, there is usually a transfer of electrons.
This transfer results in an imbalance of charges between the two
materials.

Triboelectric Series

Common materials are listed according to how well they create

static electricity when rubbed with another material, as well as
what charge the material will possess.

Become positive in charge

The following materials tend to give up electrons when brought in

contact with other materials. That means they will have an
increase of positive (+) charges.

Materials that gain positive (+) electrical charges

Most (+)
Air, Dry human skin, Leather, Rabbit fur, Glass
charges
Moderate
Human hair, Nylon, Wool, Lead, Cat fur, Silk,
(+)
Aluminum
charges
Least (+) Paper
charges

Neutral

There are very few materials that do not tend to readily attract or
give up electrons when brought in contact or rubbed with other
materials.

Materials that are relatively neutral

Cotton Best for non-static clothes
Steel Not useful for static electricity

Become negative in charge

52
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

The following materials tend to attract electrons when brought in

contact with other materials.

Materials that gain a negative (−) electrical charges

(Tend to attract electrons)
Wood, Hard rubber, Nickel, Copper, Brass,
Least (−) charges Silver, Gold, Platinum, Polyester, Styrene
(Styrofoam)
Moderate (−) Saran wrap, Polyethylene (like Scotch
charges Tape), Polypropylene, Vinyl (PVC), Silicon
Most (−) charges Teflon

Best combinations to create static electricity

The best combination of materials to create static electricity

would be to have one material from the positive charge list and
one from the negative charge list.

Examples include combining human skin with polyester clothes,

combing your hair with a plastic comb, and rubbing fur.

Skin and polyester clothes: People who build up static charges

due to dry skin are advised to wear all-cotton clothes that are
neutral. Also, moist skin reduces the collection of charges.

Combing your hair: Human hair becomes positive (+) in charge

when combed. A hard rubber or plastic comb will collect
negative (−) charges on its surface. Since similar charges repel,
the hair strands will push away from each other, especially if the
hair is very dry. Since the comb is negatively charged, it will attract
object with a positive charge—like hair. It will also even attract
material with no charge—like small pieces of paper.

Silk and glass: Rubbing a glass rod with a silk cloth will charge the
glass with positive charges. The silk does not retain any charges for
long.

Saran Wrap: Unrolling a piece of Saran Wrap or similar plastic wrap

creates negative charges on the sheet. It will tend to stick to
neutral items.

53
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Experiment Time!

Balloon And Wool Blanket Charge Experiment

Here is a simple experiment you can do to see how static charge

works

Materials: Balloon, tiny cuts of paper, and a wool blanket

Step 1
Hover the inflated balloon over the
pieces of paper. Nothing happens.

Step 2
Now rub the balloon over the wool or
blanket for a few seconds.

Step 3
Hover the balloon over the pieces of
paper again. This time the piece of
paper will be attracted to the balloon
and remain stuck on it.

Record your observation:

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

Why did that happen?

Before the experiment, the charges in the balloon and paper

were in balance. That is why it neither attracted nor repelled the
pieces of paper.

54
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

The friction between the two surfaces (balloon and wool)

produces heat energy by rubbing the balloon on the wool. The
energy in the balloon causes the negatively charged electrons to
move more freely. Some electrons were discharged (jump) from
your wool into the balloon. The wool now has less negative
charges, and the balloon has more negative charges.

When you now place the balloon close to the pieces of paper,
they attracted each other because the balloon is now negatively
charged whiles the paper was positively charged.

Like charges repel each other and unlike charges attract each
other.

Let’s do another:

Static Electricity Experiment

What You Need: Cotton towel, Plastic produce bag, Scissors and
Balloon.

What To Do
• You’ll need a pair of scissors here to cut a strip from the open
end of the produce bag. Once it’s cut, you should have a
ring or a band of plastic.
• Blow up the balloon. Tie off the end of the balloon.
• Rub the cotton towel over the surface of the balloon for
about 30 to 45 seconds. Make sure you don’t pop it!
• Now you need to flatten your plastic band on a hard surface
and gently rub the towel over the band again for about 30
to 45 seconds.
• Hold the plastic band about 1 foot, or 30 centimetres over
the balloon and let go.

Watch in wonder…that plastic band is floating in the air, just like

magic!
Record your observation:

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

How Does it Work?

• When you rub the towel against the balloon and plastic band,
this transfers a negative charge to both objects.
• The band floats above the balloon because the charges are
the same and will work against each other, and not be
attracted to one another.
• When you rub a balloon on someone’s hair it picks up electrons,
which leaves it negatively charged and the hair is positively
charged.
• Opposite charges attract, so when you take the balloon closer
to the hair, it will stand up on end trying to get to the charge in
the balloon.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Points to keep in mind:

a. Conductors cannot have static electricity. Static electricity
needs an insulator
b. When materials are rubbed against each other, electric
charges are not created but only transfer electrons from one
object to the other.
c. Electrons move from high potential to low potential (i.e. from
high number to low number)
d. A neutral object can be charged by ‘induction’

1. Draw appropriate charges on each material and show the

transfer of charges after rubbing.

Balloon Balloon
Cloth
Cloth

Balloon and cloth before rubbing Balloon and cloth after

rubbing
2. What happens if the balloon in stage 2 of Question 1 is in
contact with a metal strip? Explain.

Metal
.............................................................................

Balloon
............................................................................

.............................................................................

............................................................................

.............................................................................
57

............................................................................
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

3. Why a PC monitor is covered with dust?

....................................................................................................................
4. After gaining electrons from the cloth, can the polythene rod
attract small pieces of paper? Explain.

.............................................................................

............................................................................

.............................................................................

5. Figure shows a copper rod and a piece of cloth. What happens

when you rub the rod with the cloth? Explain your answer.

Copper .............................................................................
rod

............................................................................
Cloth

.............................................................................

............................................................................
6. When you walk across a nylon carpet, you become negatively
charged. When you touch a metal handle you receive a shock.
.............................................................................
Explain why this happens.

.....................................................................................................................................................

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

............................................................................................................................

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Circle the objects that produce static electricity.

Draw an image of a person with the effects of static electricity.

59
 KEY TERMS:
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM
FORCES AND
atmosphere - the mixture
of gases that surrounds an
astronomical object such

INTERACTION as the Earth

attraction - the power of
attracting

UNIT 4: compass - a device for

finding directions, usually
with a magnetised pointer
MAGNET that automatically swings
to magnetic north
electromagnet - a magnet
consisting of a core, often
made of soft iron, that is
temporarily magnetised by
an electric current flowing
Magnets are rocks or metals that create through a coil that
surrounds it
an invisible field around themselves. This magnet - a piece of metal
that has the power to draw
field attracts other magnets and certain iron or steel objects
towards it and to hold or
metals. The presence of a magnetic field move them
magnetic field - a region of
is why you can cover a metal refrigerator space surrounding a
magnetised body or
door with magnets. A magnetic field is current-carrying circuit in
which the resulting
concentrated around the ends of magnetic force can be
detected
magnets. magnetism - the
phenomenon of physical
attraction for iron, shown in
magnets or by a moving
electric charge or current
permanent - never
changing or not expected
to change
repulsion - a force
between two bodies of the
same electric charge or
magnetic polarity that
tends to repel or separate
them
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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

UNIT 4: MAGNET

Loadstone is a magnetic material.

Loadstone attracts objects that are
made from iron or steel.
What is a magnet?
• A magnet is an object which will
attract other objects that are
made of iron.
• Magnets are materials that
attract some objects causing
them to move.

The two ends of any magnet are

called the poles
When the magnet stops swinging, it
points in a north-to-south direction. The
end of the magnet, which points
towards the north, is called the North
Pole or north-seeking pole. The end of
the magnet, which points towards the south, is called the South
Pole or the south-seeking pole.

The poles of magnets attract more objects than the other parts.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

PUSH AND PULL OF MAGNETS

Experiment Time!

• Get two magnets and place their poles facing each other.
What happened? Did they attract each other or repel?
• Turn one magnet to the opposite side and do same. What
happened? Did they attract each other or repel?

If we put two magnets together with the same poles facing each
other they will move away from each other. When two magnets
are put together with different poles, they will move towards
each other.
• The two unlike poles of the magnets came together. They
attracted each other.
• The two like poles of the magnets pushed each other
away. They repelled each other. Two like poles, when put
together, repel or push away from each other.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What Do You Know?

Here are three pairs of magnets. Will they pull together or push
apart?
• Write PULL between the magnets if you think they will pull
together.
• Write PUSH between the magnets if you think they will push
apart.

MAGNETIC OR NON-MAGNETIC!

Let’s experiment

Supplies Needed:
• Magnets
• Variety of items that are magnetic and are not magnetic.
Magnet Activity Set-Up
• Determine how many items you want to test and place
them on the table. Make sure to get a variety of both
magnetic and non-magnetic objects.
• Use the magnets and place it next to each item.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What happened? Did it attract or repel the magnet? Record your

observation by writing the items and tick (✓) attract or repel.

ITEM ATTRACT REPEL

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

MAGNETIC SUBSTANCES NON-MAGNETIC

The magnet attracts certain materials whereas some do not get

attracted to the magnet.

The materials, which get attracted towards a magnet, are

magnetic. Things made out of iron, cobalt, steel and nickel are
magnetic while things made out of zinc, magnesium, gold, silver,
aluminium and copper.

Magnetic and non-magnetic materials

Substances that are attracted by a magnet are called magnetic
substances.

Examples: Iron, cobalt, nickel, etc.

Substances that are not attracted by a magnet are called non-

magnetic materials.

Examples: Aluminium, copper, wood, etc.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

List the materials that are magnetic and non-magnetic from the
experiment done.

Non
Magnetic
Magnetic

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Read and solve:

Brad and Brian must separate a mixture prepared by their

teacher. She asks them which items in the container could be
removed by using a magnet and why. The things they have are
toothpicks, sand, pebbles, marbles, iron filings, paper clips,
chocolate chips, broken crayons, and bits of notebook paper.

Which items can they remove with a magnet?

why?

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Turtle Beach
Spot the Differences

Some animals use the Earth’s magnetic fi eld to fi nd their way

around the earth, the same way humans use a compass. When it’s
time to lay their eggs, female loggerhead turtles use it to fi nd the
beaches they were born on.

There are two beaches below. They are identical except for 5
differences. Find and circle all 5 differences.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Having fun with magnets!

EXPLORING THE STRENGTHS OF MAGNETS!

• Attaching paper clips, one after another, to

a magnet to see how many paper clips it can
hold. Repeat this activity using two magnets on
the second trial and three or more magnets on
the third trial.

For example
Place magnetic materials different distances
away from a magnet and observe the force of
attraction. (Repeat this activity using two magnets on the
second trial and three or more magnets on the third trial.)

What is your observation?

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

• Attach magnets to toy cars and place

the cars different distances away from
another magnet or a piece of iron or
steel and measure the time it takes for
the car to reach its destination.

What is your observation?

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What you know?

70
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Scavenger Hunt!

Look around your class, your school, your home and your
community. Identify objects that contain a magnet.

In me there is a magnet!

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Some things are made up of magnet such as

Choose yes if the thing has a magnet and no if it does not.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What are magnets used for?

Well, magnets are used in a variety of ways in our everyday lives.

Here is some magnet uses:

Compasses

In compasses, magnets are used to make

sure that the needle always points north.

Hospitals
In some medical processes, they use
magnets. For example, in some scans such as
NMR and MRI, powerful magnets are used.

Fridge Magnets
They can be used to attach pictures to your
fridge.

Furniture and Household Appliances

Some cupboards and drawers use magnets to keep the doors
closed, as well as fridges too. Things like microwaves, speakers,
earphones and fans all use magnets to work.

Jewellery
Some pieces of jewellery have magnetic clasps to clip the ends
together around your neck or arm. There are also magnetic
earrings for people who don't have their ears pierced.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Recycling
Magnets are also a great way to separate different metals. This is
because some of the metals will stick to the magnet and some
won't.

Industrial Machinery
There are special vehicles that have strong magnets on them, for
picking up cars and scrap metal. Magnets can also be found in
the motors of machinery, as they help to keep the parts moving. In
a computer, there is a hard drive that contains a powerful
magnet. The integrated speakers also need a magnet to make
sound by vibrating.

List five ways how magnets are used in your home.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

MAGNETIC SOLUTIONS FOR HOUSEHOLD CHORES

Magnets are extremely useful tools to keep on hand because they

can help make difficult tasks simple and quick.

HOW MAGNETIC FORCES SOLVE EVERYDAY PROBLEMS

Q1: Many devices, like fridge doors, use

magnets as a seal. People who design
these seals must make sure that the
magnetism is strong enough to keep the
door shut.
But if the magnetic seal is too strong, then
this can be a problem. Why is that?
A. It will be difficult to open the door.
B. Food in the fridge will not stay cool.
C. The door will not stay closed.

Q2: A builder has a box full of screws.

Some of the screws are made of steel
and some are coated in nickel.
He wants to separate the 2 types of
screws. Could he separate them using
a magnet?
A. Yes
B. No
Why?
A. Because nickel and steel are both magnetic materials
B. Because nickel is magnetic and steel is non-magnetic
C. Because steel is magnetic and nickel is nonmagnetic
D. Because nickel and steel will be repelled by a magnet

Q3: Magnetism is used in many household objects. For example,

we can stick things to fridges using magnetism.
How are the pieces of paper in the image held
on the fridge?
A. The fridge is a magnet and attracts the
circular buttons, which are magnetic.
B. The magnetic fridge is attracted to the
circular buttons, which are magnets.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Q4: Magnets are used in junkyards. A junkyard is where vehicles

like cars go to be broken up into parts. Strong magnets can be
used to separate these parts so that some of them can be reused.

Cars are made of many different

materials, such as steel, glass, and rubber.
Which of these materials could a strong
magnet separate from the others?

A. Glass
B. Steel
C. Rubber

Q5: Scarlett is playing outside. She knocks her toy train into the
lake. The train has parts that are made of steel, and she has a
wooden fishing rod. How can the fishing rod be changed to help
her find the train?
A. A fishing rod made out of gold can be used instead.
B. A plastic fishing rod can be used instead.
C. A strong magnet can be attached to the end of the fishing
rod.

76
 RELATIONSHIPS
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

IN
KEY TERMS:

ECOSYSTEM Ecology is the study of

organisms and how they relate
to the environment around
UNIT 1: ANIMALS IN them

GROUPS The ecosystem is all of the

living things, which includes
plants and animals that live in
a certain area.
• An ecosystem is a community
of organisms and their population - all the inhabitants
environment. It has animals, of a particular place.
plants, and non-living things.
• Water is needed to drink and community - an interacting
some animals live in the group of various species in a
water. common location
• Air is a non-living part of an
ecosystem. survive - continue to live or
• Some ecosystems provide exist, despite danger or
special services. For example, hardship.
rainforests produce oxygen
through photosynthesis. The environment is the
• Other ecosystems produce surroundings of an organism
food, medicine, and helpful and other organisms with
materials like rubber and which it comes into contact.
lumber.
Predators are organisms that
consumes all or part of the
body of another organism.

Prey is an organism that

predators kill for food.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

ANIMALS LIVING IN GROUPS

Group Living

A group includes all living things that have similar features.

Animals live either together or by themselves. Some animals

naturally live by themselves.

Fish live in a group A jaguar lives by itself

Let’s investigate!

Take a field trip around your school compound. Identify the

animals found there and complete the chart below.
Investigating Animals!

Animals living there:

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

What do you observe about the numbers of each animal you

found?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Use the information you collected from the field trip and complete
the table.

Read each heading and place a tick (✓) where necessary.

Name of animals Was there Was there If more than

one only? more than one, were they
one? together?

From the information collected above, name the animals that live
together as a group.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

INVESTIGATING ANIMALS LIVE IN GROUPS

Draw a scene of animals living together!

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

OTHER EXAMPLES
ANIMALS THAT LIVE IN GROUPS

Examples of animals that live in groups

ants bats foxes otters

wolves parrots crane bees

Whenever animals gather in groups, the groups of each species

have a special name. Some have more than one name.

Example:

Animal Group Name Animal Group Name

bats a colony, cloud or camp puppies litter
bees swarm donkey drove
cats clowder or glaring eagles convocation
kittens litter or kindle fish school or shoal
crows murder foxes skulk or leash
dogs pack frogs army
monkeys barrel or troop otters family
owls parliament parrots pandemonium
pigs drift or drove rabbits herd
rats colony snakes nest
whales pod, school or gam turtles bale or nest

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What are the conditions animals need to survive? List the

conditions you think animals need.

Animals need:
Animal's basic survival needs include:

• food
• shelter from weather and predators
• water
• a place to raise young

Example:

Animal: Caiman
Habitat: shallow waters

survival needs:
food—eats fish, birds,
reptiles, and mammals
shelter from weather and
predators—have
camouflage and can
stay underwater
water—provided by diet
and from freshwater
sources
a place to raise young—
female prepares and
guards a nest until the
young hatch and are
released

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Your Turn!

Brainstorm and draw your own example!

Give your own example of an animal in its habitat and what it needs
to survive. First, think about animals you are familiar with, such as
dogs, cats, fish, and birds. complete:

Animal:..........................

Habitat:.......................... •Draw a picture of the animal or

What does it need to
paste a picture
survive?
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................

Animal:..........................

Habitat:.......................... •Draw a picture of the animal or

What does it need to
paste a picture
survive?
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................
...........................................

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Why do animals live in groups?

Let’s read!
Ants are amazing!

Ants are busy animals that work hard. They are a type of insect.
Insects are animals that have six legs.

Ants are amazing! Although ants are small, they are strong! An ant
can carry things that weigh 30 times as much as its own body. If
you were that strong, you could carry a small car!

Ants live in large groups called colonies. Some colonies are made
up of millions of ants. Different members of a colony have different
jobs. Three main types of ants live in a colony.

Male ants help the queen make eggs so that new ants will be
born. There are a few males in a colony. Male ants are small, and
some have wings.

Queen ants lay eggs. There is usually only one queen in each ant
colony. Most queen ants are larger than the other ants in a
colony.

Worker ants build the nest, search for food, and take care of baby
ants. There are many workers in each ant colony. Worker ants are
small and are always female.

Look back at the passage and have a conversation on the

following questions.

1. According to the passage, what makes ants amazing?

2. Where do ants live?
3. According to the passage, how do different types of ants
contribute to the colony they live in?
4. What is this passage mostly about?

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Look at the pictures and write what you think about the animals.

Use the pictures and answer the questions: Why do you think
animals live in group?

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Animals that live in groups because they can

• raise their young together
• help take care of each
• get protection against predators
• find food easier
• quickly spot danger
• find a mate

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Avian Influenza – Bird Flu

An outbreak of Avian Influenza in chicken and

turkey flocks has spread across the
community. Better known as bird flu, avian
influenza is a family of viruses that are
harmful to birds. When a bird from a flock is
infected, it infects the whole flock. Within
days the whole flock of birds died out.

1. How did all the birds in the flock died out?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Do you think if the bird that was infected was living alone, it
would have killed the others?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

3. Explain your answer in question 2.

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

DISADVANTAGES OF ANIMAL LIVING GROUPS

The disadvantages to living in groups:

• greater competition for
o food,
o mates,
o sleeping sites,
o and water
• increase parasite and disease
• easier to spread diseases

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Look at the pictures. Answer the questions.

What happened to the cows?

Why the birds fighting for food?

Some animals live alone.

List some animals in your environment that live alone.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

What do you notice about this animal? Read the information and
complete the graphic organiser.

Moles
An unsocial animal in the world is the mole. Moles are an unusual
group of underground dwellers. Moles dig networks of tunnels to
make their homes in the ground. They don't like sharing the space
that has taken such an effort to make.
Moles spend most of the time playing alone in their tunnels where
there is never room for more than one mole. In fact, they
are rarely seen above the surface. They avoid meeting other
moles, and when their territories overlap, they may end up
fighting.

Name:.....................................................
What do you notice about how the
animal lives?
..................................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................
..................................................................

Why do some animals live alone while others live in large groups?

Some animals live alone because it is easier to find food and

shelter for themselves in rough climates.

Some other animals that live alone are

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

sloths turtles armdilos frogs jaguars

Animals that Form Groups

1. What’s the main reason why animals form groups?

___________________________________________________________

2. One animal that forms a group to help members survive

is____________________

3. What does be a part of a group help animals do?

A. Obtain food
B. Defend themselves
C. Cope with changes

4. What’s the definition of animal group behaviour?

___________________________________________________________

5. How do meerkats help each other survive?

___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
6. Circle true or false. If living in a group doesn’t help the
organisms thrive, they would not be found in a group
together. True False
7. Give an example of an animal that uses their numbers as a
defense. ___________________
8. What are two animals that form groups to gather food?
________________________ ___________________________
9. Circle true or false. Animal group behavior can involve a few
animals or thousands. True False
10. When animals form groups to cope with changes, they
are ___________________ to their environment.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM
KEY TERMS:
environment – all the living,

IN
non-living, and once-living
things in a place

ecosystem – the living and

ECOSYSTEM non-living things that interact
in an environment

UNIT 2: HABITATS interdependency – when

living things rely on each
other to survive

predator – an animal that

• All organisms have needs, such hunts another animal for food

as food, water, and air. If the prey – an animal that is

needs of the organisms in the hunted by another animal for
ecosystem are not met, food
they cannot survive. adaptation - the process of
• Animals usually need food, change by which species
water, and shelter. For becomes better suited to its
example: if deer need to eat environment

grass and the place, they live in biome - major ecological

no longer has grass, they have community with distinct
to move somewhere else or climate and flora. Habitats
that have similar climate and
risk not surviving. plants are called biomes .

habitat - the type of

environment in which an
organism normally lives

organism - a living thing that

can act or function

independently. Some other

animals need only a small
amount of space and can
put up with neighbours that
live close.
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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

HABITATS IN ECOSYSTEMS
HABITATS OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS
What is a habitat?

A habitat is a place where plants and animals can meet

their needs.
There are many different habitats on Earth.

Animals need food, water, air, and shelter.

Different plants and animals live in different habitats.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Habitats can be on land or in the water. Most habitats include a

community of animals and plants along with water, oxygen, soil
or sand, and rocks.
Answer the following questions.

1. What is a habitat?

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

2. Name the things found in a habitat.

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

3. What are two types of habitats?

…………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………

4. Draw an example of a habitat.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

The two main types of habitats are land habitats and water
habitats.

Examples of habitats

A habitat is a home environment for plants and animals or

other organisms. Examples of habitats include:

Soil Rainforest Swamp

Pond / Ocean Tree Desert

Name the habitat in the pictures.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

THE GUYANA ECOSYSTEM

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Guyana is located on the north eastern coast of South America

with eighty per cent of the interior high uplands and mountains
occupied by unspoiled rainforest. Other ecosystems include
swamps and wetlands, savanna, and several types of forests.
Tropical Forest
There are more than 6,500 known
species of plants that inhabit the
tropical rainforest. The rainforest
contains 650 species of birds.
Mammals such as jaguar, sloths,
giant armadillos and capuchin
monkeys inhabit the forests. Plants
include orchids, bromeliads, tropical
flowering trees and Guyana's
national flower, the Amazonian
water lily.
Wetlands
The low-lying coastal areas contain
mangrove forests, swamps and
cultivated lands. Mangrove forests
are home to manatees, scarlet ibis,
spectacled caiman, shrimp, crabs
and fish. Sandy beaches are nesting
sites for sea turtles.
Savannahs
Interior savannas occur in the
northeast along the Berbice River
and the Rupununi Savanna in the south. Annually during the rainy
season, most of the land floods. Grass grows during the dry
season. The Rupununi is rich in plants and animals, with 500 species
of birds, 120 kinds of
reptiles and
amphibians, 105
species of
mammals and
1,500 species of
plants. The rainy
season has
heightened
activity for birds,

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

snakes, frogs and butterflies. Many orchids bloom. During the dry
season, caiman, capybara, and otters are around.
Other Forests
Besides the tropical rainforest ecosystem, Guyana contains dry
evergreen forests and montane forests, also called cloud forests.
Dry evergreen forests grow in the leached white sand belt located
from the Pakaraima cliff and through central Guyana. More than
300 species of birds live here, including tanagers, owls, nocturnal
potoos and finches. Montane forests include sub-montane forests
growing between 1,640 and 5,000 feet, as well as montane forests
above 1,500 meters. Some distinctive animals of cloud forests
include the bright orange Guianian cock-of-the-rock, the harpy
eagle and the olingo.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

PLANTS AND THEIR HABITATS

Plants are living things. They live in different habitats or places.

Many plants live on land, e.g., tree, grass, shrub.

fruit trees banana and vegetables

plantain
Some plants live in water. Example:

water lily duckweed seaweed

Some plants live on other plants, e.g., bird vine.

air plant moss mistletoe

Some plants live on old wood and damp places like mushroom.
(Jumbie umbrella)

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

SCAVENGER HUNT!
Go around your schoolyard and community write down the
names of plants you find and TICK where they are growing in the
correct column.

Where does the plant grow?

Name of Plant In On On a On old
water land plant wood

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Match the plant to its habitat.

Draw the plants found in three different habitats in your

community.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Even the Plants are Awesome in Guyana

OCTOBER 4, 2019
Guyana boasts a collection of flora on the planet. From the
coastal plains, interior savannahs, forested highlands and hilly,
sand and clay areas, a massive 80% of Guyana’s landscape is
covered with unspoiled rainforests and flora. This means over 8000
different species of plants. They are used in cultural settings,
medicine and job creation.

The Cannonball Tree

(Couroupita Guianensis) reaches
up to 110 feet high with leaves
as big as 12-22 inches long. Its
massive, 10-inch spherical fruits
resemble rusty cannonballs.
When they fall, they hit the
ground bursting with a
thundering sound like a cannon
firing. The fruit develops straight
out of the trunk. The flowers are
a salmon-red colour, developing
in big bunches up to 12 feet long along the trunk of the trees. The
sweet smell of the flowers attract birds and other pollinating
insects that feed on its nectar.

Sacred Lotus (Nelumbium) overflows in the trenches along

Guyana’s coastland during the rainy season. Over a period of
three days, the blossoming lotus flower rises above the water
opening its petals and by evening, closes and withdraws beneath
the surface. They are popularly used in religious practices and
rituals – weddings, blessings, offerings and spiritual decor. The
leaves of this lotus are also used in Indo-Guyanese culture when
serving the famous 7-curry dish prepared for religious and other
special gatherings.

Giant Water Lily (Victoria Amazonica), the National flower of

Guyana – is the largest water lily in the world with leaves spanning

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

more than three meters

across with thick stalks
submerged 7-8 meters in
water. When the flowers first
bloom at night, they are
white and open. On the
second night, they become
pink. These flowers can
grow up to 40 centimeters
in diameter and are usually
pollinated by beetles.

Greenheart (Chlorocardium Rodiei) is the strongest and most

durable wood in the world. The greenheart tree grows between
50-130 feet tall. Its trunk is approximately 1-2 feet in diameter. It
large leaves can be identified by the size and textured feel. It’s
wood ranges from light-green to dark olive green with brown or
black markings. The greenheart tree can be found throughout
Guyana’s rainforests. Development, usually on rich soils, in swamps
and in the flats, marshes and uplands of the Amazon Basin. These
rainforests, including the greenheart species, support over half of
the plant and wildlife of Guyana which are considered to be the
world’s oldest ecosystems.

Crabwood tree (Carapa Guianensis) is found mainly in the

rainforest canopy, along rivers, on flooded or swampy locations,
and on the low hills of the hinterland. This tree reaches up to 180
feet tall and is valued for its mahogany-like quality wood – which is
one of the most expensive types of wood found in Guyana. It
produces high quality furniture, flooring and plywood.
There are also health benefits that stem from this tree. It’s seeds
are used in the production of what is locally known as crab oil that
is used in a number of different ways. From mosquito repellant, hair
oil treatments, skin treatments and even as a laxative, this oil is
valued among Guyanese..
There is so much more to Guyana’s vast floral landscape. From
the exotic orchids, heliconias, carnivorous sundews, delicate
maidenhair ferns to the dramatic staghorn ferns and thousands of
other species, Guyana’s floral landscape is an attraction in and of
itself.

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ANIMALS AND THEIR HABITATS

SCAVENGER HUNT!
Go around your schoolyard and community write down the
names of animals you find and TICK where they live in the correct
column.

Where does the plant grow?

Name of Animal In On On a On old
water land plant wood

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Many animals live on land, e.g.

Some animals live in water, e.g.,

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Some animals live on both land and water, e.g.,

Some animals live in trees like, bird, and iguana.

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Some animals live on other animals. For example, fleas, tick, lice.

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

The owl is an animal that lives in old building.

The bat lives in the roofs of houses and dark places.

Some animals live in the soil. For example,

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SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Some animals live in special homes. For example, sty, stable, coup,
leaf, web, cocoon etc.

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Animals and their Habitats

Exploring Guyana’s Animals and their Habitats

The northern red

A brown-banded water
snapper
snake in habitat. The Two-Toed Sloth
The northern red
Brown-branded water The Two-Toed Sloth
snappers live in artificial
snakes can be found in resides solely in trees, in
reefs, such as shipwrecks
streams, rivers, lakes, the canopy of tropical
and offshore oil rigs, and
lagoons, fish ponds, and rainforests. They have a
they like rocky bottoms,
temporary ponds in range of about ten (10)
ledges, ridges, and
open as well as forested acres and are mostly
bottoms that are close to
areas. solidarity.
the bottom. They
change their habitats as
they grow and mature.

Giant Otter
Yellow-headed Caracara Scarlet Ibis in wetlands
The Giant Otter lives in
perched on the branch The Ibis lives along in
freshwater rivers as well
of a tree aquatic habitats like
as streams. A giant otter
The yellow-headed mangrove swamps, tidal
lives in the Guyana
caracara can be found in mudflats, wetlands and
Botanical Gardens and
the savannahs, swamps, shallow lakes. Scarlet Ibis
Zoo. They also live in
and at the edges of likes to hunt for prey
the Iwokrama Forest
forests among mangrove
Reserve.
swamps, tidal mudflats,
wetlands and shallow
lakes.

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The Red-Backed Bearded

Dung beetle The Kodkod Saki
Dung beetles do not The Kodkod primarily The Red-Backed Bearded
have a preference for inhabits temperature Saki are arboreal, which
dry or cold rainforests to deciduous means they live in trees.
temperatures and reside temperate moist forests, As such, they can be
in many habitats such as and scrub. They may be found in the upper
deserts, grasslands, found living near settled rainforests, which are
savannahs, farmlands or or cultivated areas. next to a water source
forested regions. like streams or rivers.

The Amethyst Woodstar The Olive Ridley Sea The South American
(The Humming Bird) Turtle Ground Lizard
The Amethyst Woodstar The Olive Ridley Sea The lizard can be found
lives in a wide variety of Turtle uses a number of in a wide variety of
habitats including habitats during its life tropical and terrestrial
savannahs, woodlands, but they are often seen habits including
gardens, forest clearings, within fifteen (15) km of savannah and forests,
tropical and subtropical mainland shores, and deserted vegetation.
moist lowland forests or shallow marine waters They live on the floor of
moist forests. with depths of about the forests, hiding under
twenty-two to fifty-five logs and between fallen
(22–55) m. Sometimes leaves.
they can be found in
open water.

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The Mozambique
Tilapia The Crab-eating The Water Opossum
The Tilapia primarily Raccoon The Water Opossum
inhabits freshwater or The Crab-eating prefers semi-aquatic or
brackish water however Raccoon is found in a aquatic places like
it can also live saltwater number of habitats freshwater streams and
or conditions where especially areas close to lakes close to the shore.
salinity is three times rivers, streams, lakes, They live in dens built
seawater. The fish can lagoons and beaches. It above the water level in
be found in ponds, may also inhabit some banks or in moderate or
rivers, streams, lakes, evergreen forests or clear areas or forests.
estuaries and swamps plains. They build their large
with water ranging from burrows between the
seventeen to thirty-five roots of trees. Water
(17 to 35) °C Opossums also build
daytime nests of
collected leaves and
grasses to rest daytime.

Read the information on each animal and answer the questions.

Q: Do all the places where living

things live have the same conditions?
Q: What do living things get from the
places where they live?
Q: Can a dung beetle get its needs
from the sea?
Q: Why do different living things live
in different places?
Q: What kinds of animals live in or
near freshwater habitats?

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Draw the animals found in three different habitats in your

community.

What Lives in the Desert?

A desert is a dry place with

little rain. A desert gets less
than ten inches of rain each
year. Some deserts are hot. A
few can be cold. A desert is a
habitat. A habitat is a place
where animals and plants live.

Hot deserts are home to many

kinds of living things. Animals
living there include owls, snakes, camels, lizards, and coyotes.
Another hot desert animal is the kangaroo rat. It sleeps
underground during the day, when the weather is hot.

Some plants live in the hot desert. Only a few kinds of trees and
bushes can survive there. One of the most common desert plants is
the cactus.

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Plants that grow in deserts include: The Cactus Plant

The cactus family is one of the
Camel most popular plant families.
Their beautiful blossoms, thick
Thorn Cactus stems and unusual shapes
Tree attract thousands of people to
the desert each year. They
range from the three-inch
fishhook cactus settled in a
Elephant Palm rock to the towering saguaro
Tree
Tree cactus which reaches heights
of 30 to 40 feet. Cactus grows
on rocky hillsides, alluvial fans
and in barren washes
Joshua throughout the desert.
Sagebush
Tree

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Animals that live in deserts include:

kangaroo
rat llama

camel bat

black
widow quail
spider

fennec
gecko fox

Jack
rabbit
gerbil

rattle roadrunner
snake

scorpion tarantula

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Match each animal to its habitat.

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List the names of animals and plants that live in the habitats.

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Investigating Habitats!
Read and answer the questions.
Question Answer!

Q: Where do you see living things?

Q: What kinds of environment do

living things live in?

Q: What is a freshwater habitat?

Q: What are the types of freshwater

habitats?

Q: What kinds of animals live in or

near freshwater habitats?

Q: What kinds of plants live in or

near freshwater habitats?
Q: Why do many kinds of living
things live in or near freshwater
habitats?
Q: What are the two main types of
ocean habitats?
Q: What kinds of living things can
be found in coastal habitats and
open ocean habitats?
Q: What is the relationship between
a rainforest habitat and living things
that live in the rainforest?
Q: How do animals depend on a
rainforest habitat?

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Question Answer!

Q: What makes the moss and the

fern live in the rainforest habitat?
Q: What are the reasons for the
plants and animals to live in
particular parts of the rainforest
habitat?
Q: What kinds of plants and
animals are in the rainforest
habitat?
Q: What conditions does a
rainforest habitat provide to living
things?
Q: What conditions does a
rainforest habitat provide for living
things?

Q: What is a grassland habitat?

Q: What relationships are there

between a grassland habitat and
living things that live in the
grassland?
Q: How do living things depend on
a grassland habitat?
Q: How is the height of plants in a
grassland different from that in a
rainforest?
Q: Which habitat is difficult for
animals to hide in?

Q: How do rats hide in the

grassland?
Q: How do the animals find shelter
or protect themselves from danger
in the grassland?

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HABITATS AND ADAPTATIONS

Review:

What types of habitats do you know?

What do the habitats provide to living things?

How do living things live in the habitats to meet their needs?

How do adaptations help organisms?

Different organisms live in different habitats. Organisms can survive

in their habitats only if their needs are met.

How do adaptations help organisms?

Animals have different physical traits that help them survive in their
environments. We call these structural adaptations.

• Walruses have a thick layer of blubber to keep them warm.

• A prickly pear cactus has spines to discourage animals from

eating it.

• Owls have feathers that let them fly silently so they can
catch prey to eat.

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Body Parts
Adaptation of Plants
These are special features that involve some
parts of an body, such as skin, colour and shape. Adaptation to get food –
These adaptations help the organisms to survive Leaves and stems absorb
in their natural habitat. energy from the Sun.

Example:
Adaptation to get water
 the shape of a bird's beak
 the colour of a mammal's fur and nutrients – Roots soak
 the thickness or thinness of the fur up water and nutrients from
 the shape of the nose or ears the soil

Examples of Physical Adaptations Adaptation for

Type of Body Colour - Patterns, reproduction
Covering - Fur, Camouflage - a colour Sweet fruit attract animals
Feathers, Scales or pattern that allows that spread seeds far away.
an animal to hide in Some seeds are shaped to
its environment catch the wind.
Brightly coloured flower
with nectar attracts
pollinators such as birds,
bees and insects.

Body Part - Claws, Defenses - Spray, Adaptation for defence

Beak, Antlers, Quills, Venom Spines and thorns protect
Ears, Blubber (to plants from predators.
keep them warm)
Poison lvy and Poison oak
have toxins that give
predators a painful itchy
rash.

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Examples Of Physical Adaptations

Body Coverings

•Birds’ feathers keep

them warm in cold
weather and cool
when it's hot, allow
them to fly, and help
attract mates.

Animals with scales, hair and/or feathers use them to protect and
help them move around in their environment.
Animals’ scales help them move and protect them against moisture
loss in the body.
A scale is a stiff plate that grows on an animal’s skin.

Examples

The Great White Shark has hard Snakes use scales as camouflage
scales that protects them against from threats and to help them
harsh environment. move on the ground.

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Butterfly’s scales reflect light, Crocodiles’ hard and rough scales

control temperature, and help them collect heat during the
camouflage from predators. day.

Scales protect fish from predators and

parasites and reduce the roughness of
the water. It allows them to move
easily while swimming.

Mammals have hair, or fur, that helps protect their bodies. It keeps
them warm and protect specific areas of the body. Some mammals
have different coverings: the armadillo has plates, the porcupine has
quills, and naked skin covers the dolphin. All of these help these
mammals to survive in the different conditions in which they live.

Examples

The black bear’s fur protects The fur keep the coyote warm,
it from rain and snow. as well as camouflaging it from
predators.

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The fox’s thick, coarse guard

The hare’s coat is very thick to
hairs protect it from harm by
protect it from cold weather
repelling water and dirt,
and keep them warm. It also
camouflage among trees and
camouflage in its surroundings.
grasses, and defend against
insects.
The leopard’s fur is covered with
many dark spots, which help it blend
in with the trees and bushes where
it lives. Its skin underneath absorb
heat easily. The thick guard hairs
protect its underfur.

Camouflage
Many animals have colours or patterns that help them blend in with
their habitat so they can successfully find food or hide from
predators.

Examples:

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The brown colours of this deer This butterfly matches the

help it blend in with the orange flowers it gathers
landscape nectar from.

Chameleons change the colours The orange colour of a tiger’s

and patterns on their body to fur helps it blend in with its
help regulate their body natural habitat, and the stripes
temperature and to send signals make it even harder to spot in
to other chameleons but to also the shadows.
to help them blend in with their
surroundings.

This toad has greens and browns,

helping it blend in with its The pattern on this sea turtle
muddy, mossy environment. helps it blend in with the
pattern of the sunlight
reflecting on the ocean floor.

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Algae can grow on turtles’ shells, Sea urchins sometimes gather

especially when it lives in shallow shells, rocks, and other objects,
waters, helping it bend in with its to help i bend in with the ocean
environment. floor.

Mimesis
Mimesis is when an object appears to be something that it’s not.
Prey sometimes mimics leaves, twigs, and other objects predators
would not be interested in.

Examples:

This leaf-tailed gecko matches The oakleaf butterfly closely

the colour of the branch it’s resembles a dead leaf to
perched on, and its tail looks disguise itself from hungry birds
like a leaf to further blend in
with its surroundings.
Stick insects, or walking sticks,
are the world’s longest insects
and they stay still when a
predator approaches to blend in
with the branches.

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Beaks
The shape of a bird’s beak helps them to eat food as well as make
nests.

Hooked beaks: Owls, Cone shaped Short, curved

eagles, hawks, and beaks: Goldfinches, beaks: Parrots and
other birds of prey sparrows and canaries macaws have short
have sharp curve have a short, robust curved beaks for
beaks to rip open beak that ends in a splitting open hard
flesh. conical shape to break fruits and nuts.
open seeds.

Straight, thin Long, thin, needle- Wide, flat

beaks: Bee-eaters and like beaks: Nectar beaks: Filter feeders
Robins have straight feeders such as such as Flamingos,
and thin beaks to Hummingbirds swoop swans and ducks have
catch insects. their beaks into a filtering system in
Woodpeckers have flowers to find their their beaks to pick
strong thin beaks to food. out the dirt from the
peck through wood to ponds and riverbeds.
find bugs.

Spatulate Large, long, and Crossbill beaks: The

beaks: Wading birds strong beaks: Fish Red Crossbill’s
such as spoonbills have eating birds such as crossed bill tips may
large long beaks that pelicans, albatrosses look odd, but it is in
help them pick up and seagulls have long, fact a clever
mollusks and small curved beaks to catch adaptation to getting

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animals from the fish and then prevent seeds out of closed
bottoms of ponds and them from escaping. pine cones.
marshes. The pouch on a
pelican’s beak helps it
take huge gulps of
water to store the fish
in it.

Multifunctional beaks: A Toco

Toucan’s beak is not just for show,
this multi-purpose appendage can
be used to collect and skin fruit,
frighten predators, attract mates,
and defend territory. Recent
research has also shown that it
also helps to keep the bird cool in
the heat of the tropical day.

Teeth
Horses and zebras have flat teeth for grinding their food (grass)
And lions have sharp teeth for tearing their food (meat.)

Omnivores (such as humans) eat both plants

and animals and have broad, flat molars for
grinding up a variety of foods. The front
teeth are wide, narrow at the tips, and
somewhat chisel-shaped, making them useful
for biting off meat or plant material chunks.

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Fox skull: from a typical carnivore Squirrel jaw: from a typical

(meat eater) herbivore (plant-eater)

Herbivores have broad, flat

molars (back teeth) with rough
Carnivores generally have long, sharp
surfaces, which are used for
front teeth which help them catch
grinding up tough plant tissues.
and tear into their prey. The back
Many herbivores (like squirrels)
teeth are narrow and sharply
have chisel-like front teeth used
serrated, much like the blade of a
for gnawing through wood or hard
knife. They are used to cut meat into
seeds. These teeth grow
smaller chunks. Insectivores (like
continually to avoid being worn
moles) eat insects almost exclusively
down with use. Herbivores often
and have fine, needle-like teeth.
have a gap between the front and
back teeth to allow space for
repositioning plant tissue as it's
chewed since much chewing is
required to break it up.

Animals With Claws (Sharp, Long, Curved, Retractable)

Animal claws have various functions, while some of the most

common uses include digging, grooming, climbing, defending, and
attacking purposes.

There are various sorts of claws found in thousands of different

animals around the globe. Long, curved, sharp, retractable, non-
retractable, all sorts of claws.

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Examples

Harpy Eagles
The harpy eagle huge claws were not made to merely collect straws
or rats for dinner – as is the case for most birds of prey.

Bats
Its claws can also be used to catch prey but are not strong enough
to snatch prey from the ground or tree while in flight, as most birds
do.

Lions
It claws provide a firm grip while climbing, a lion’s claws are the
greatest weapon in its arsenal for hunting.

Cats
cats only retract their claws when they feel threatened, and they
are merely used to scratch and also to catch rats and other small
creatures. cats sharpen their claws from time to time.

Giant Anteaters
Giant anteaters are insectivores; their only use for their claws when
it comes to hunting is digging.
Their claws are super-efficient for digging the ground, while their
long snouts and tongues come in handy for slurping the food. They
will use their claws to protect themselves when they are bothered
by their predators or if they feel their territory is being
threatened.

Sloths
The claws of sloths are curved. They mainly use their claws to hang
upside down when they are inactive.

Great Horned Owls

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Great horned owls have flexible claws when they are perching,
holding on to tree branches, and hunting prey, the outermost claws
will turn and face the back. These claws have a grip force that can
squeeze and kill prey in a matter of seconds. They use their sharp
claws not only to attack but to defend themselves against predators.

Animals’ Feet

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Some animals have hooves. Hooves help them walk and run-on hard
ground. In animals such as the horse and antelope, hooves are an
adaptation for fast running and lend the animal both speed and
endurance. The sharp hooves of some animals are also used for
defence.

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The Camels’ Adaptations

Animals depend on their physical structure to help them find and eat
food, to build shelters, to protect from predators, to disguise to
capture prey, and to reproduce.

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Adaptations of a cheetah

Think – Write – Share!

The cheetah has adaptive traits that help it hunt and catch prey, reproduce and
compete with other predators out on the savannah.
1. Besides for speed, what other adaptive
traits help the cheetah successfully catch
its prey?

2. Can you think of other animals that use

their speed to survive? Name two and how
their speed helps them.

3. Two big cats – the lion and cheetah both

survive on the savannah together. What is
different about the way they hunt that
allows them to live in the same niche?

4. How do you think a cheetah would do in a

forested habitat? How would its adaptive
traits for the savannah help or hinder its
success in this other habitat?

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Adaptations of an owl

Think – Write – Share!

The owl has adaptive traits that help it survive in its forest habitat.

1. Name two of the owl’s adaptive

traits and how it helps it survive

2. Name two other animals from your

areas who are like the owl.
3. How might an owl’s hunting senses
differ from a hawk’s, who hunts during
the day?

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Look at the parts of the animal and plant. State how they help
them survive.

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Animals have structural adaptations to help them survive by

defending themselves, getting food, and controlling their body
temperature.

Examples:
• An owl's talons help it catch prey to eat and also help it defend
itself against predators.
• A beaver's fur keeps it warm and dry when it swims.
• An octopus' skin can change colours to camouflage it so it can
surprise prey and to keep it safe from predators.

Make check marks (✓) in the chart to show how body parts might be
used by an animal.

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But what will happen if…

Q: If a giraffe didn't have a long

neck, what would happen to the
giraffe?

Q: If a polar bear didn't have thick

fur, what would happen to the
polar bear?

Q: If a hedgehog didn't have long

and sharp spines, what would
happen to the hedgehog?

Q: If a freshwater turtle lives on

land what body parts helps it to
move around?

Jot Notes:

Q: What is adaptation?

Q: How does adaptation help

animals?

Q: How do organisms adapt their

body parts to their habitats?

Q: How do organisms adapt to

their habitats?

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Q: Why do birds have the different

shape of legs?

Q: How do the flippers of a sea

turtle help it to live in the ocean?

Q: Why do organisms need to

adapt to their habitats?

Q: What kinds of adaptation do

animals have in order to survive?

Q: What is camouflage?

Q: What body parts of animals help

them to hide in their environment?

Q: Do you know some other

animals that can blend in with the
environment?

Q: How does camouflage help

animals?

Q: How do animals camouflage in

the environment?

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Match the name of the organism next to its adaptations below.

Adaptations Organism Name

Webbed feet for swimming.

Excellent eyesight to spot prey.

Long sticky tongue to catch insects.

Thick and rough paws to grip the slippery

ice.

Long trunk to reach tall tree leaves.

Moist skin that helps in breathing.

Hook-like sharp beak to tear meat.

Tusks for digging and protection against

predators.

Thick fur to keep warm.

Huge ears to keep cool.

Powerful big wings to fly and scoop down

prey.

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Complete the chart.

Name of animal Name of the body Habitat(s) best

part suited for
………………………………

Function of the body Other animals that

part have that same part

Name of animal Name of the body Habitat(s) best

part suited for
………………………………

Function of the body Other animals that

part have that same part

Name of animal Name of the body Habitat(s) best

part suited for
………………………………

Function of the body Other animals that

part have that same part

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Match the sentences to the animals.

• Long eye lashes to keep sand

out their eyes.

• Re-grow fangs when they get

broken.

• Sharp spines to protect them

from herbivorous animals.

• Flowers open at night and

close up in the day.

• Stores lots of water when it

rains.

• Nostrils can close to keep

sand out.

• Its colour changes depending

on its habitat.

• Store fat in their humps.

• Has heat-sensing facial pits to

find more blooded prey.

• Being able to go for a week

without water.

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Plants and Adaptations

• Plants have adaptations that help them to last, live and grow in
certain environments.
• Plant adaptation is when a species grows special features to
improve its chances of survival.
• Adaptations evolve over a long period of time, and they are
inheritable, meaning they are passed on to offspring.

Why do plants adapt?

Plants need to adapt for three main reasons:

• to survive harsh environmental conditions such as the climate;
• to protect themselves against predators;
• and to be more successful when living alongside competitors.
This includes fighting for space, water, or nutrients.

Desert Habitats

Cacti are a good example of how a plant has adapted

to desert habitats. Deserts are hot, dry environments, so it takes a
special kind of plant to be able to survive in such harsh conditions.

A cactus plant has adapted in many ways in order to survive.

• It has a thick, waxy skin that stores water
• They grow deep roots that bury themselves deep below the
ground to reach underground water stores.
• Cacti have thick, fleshy stems that store water inside.
• Cacti have spikes and thorns that protect them from
predators who want to benefit from the stored water.

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Tropical Rainforest Habitats

There are a wide range of different adaptations to be seen in

tropical plants.

• The trees in rainforests are generally very tall, and their

trunks are smooth. Trees in the rainforest have adapted to
the competition for light and therefore grow tall to beat the
other plants growing around them.
• The bark on rainforest trees is smooth, which allows the rain
to flow down to the roots easily. Also, if the bark collected
water, this could cause problems for the tree. It could cause
the tree to become damaged due to the weight of the water,
or it could also cause rot to develop.

• Epiphytes are plants that grow on the surface of other

plants. So, another benefit of a smooth bark is that it makes it
more difficult for other plants to grow. Some types of
epiphytes, such as orchids, have evolved roots that can absorb
water and nutrients from the air.
• Leaves of rainforest plants are very well adapted. Many have
what’s known as a drip tip. This allows water to run off easily

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and stops the leaves from getting damaged. It also stops water
gathering, which can lead to rot and fungus.
• Many plants on the rainforest floor have adapted to grow large
leaves. This helps them collect as much sunlight as possible.

Plant Adaptation Examples

Venus Flytraps

Venus fly traps usually grow in acidic soil that is nutrient-poor.

For this reason, they've adapted a gruesome adaptation.
By capturing and digesting unsuspecting insects that land on its trap
leaves, the plant is able to get enough nutrients it needs to
survive.

The traps on a Venus fly trap contain lots of small hairs. And, when
an insect lands on these sensitive hairs, they send a message to
close the trap. That’s when the digestion begins.

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INTERDEPENDENCY OF ANIMALS AND PLANTS

Ever Wonder?

Where do plants and animals live in the local environment?

What do they need to survive?

How do the local animals depend on the plants?

How do the local plants depend on the animals?

How do the animals depend on the other animals in the area?

How do you think plants depend on other plants?

What would happen if a plant or animal was no longer available or quit

existing?

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Living organisms have basic needs. Living organisms depend on each

other and on their environments, or habitats, to meet their needs
for survival. We call this interdependence.

Interdependency of Plants and Animals

1. Animals breathe oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide. Plants take in

carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the air.
2. Animals need plants for food and shelter.
3. Plants need animals for seed dispersal and pollination.
4. Some animals eat plants. Some animals eat other animals. When
animals die and decompose, the plants use the nutrients that were
deposited back into the soil from the decomposing organism.
5. Forests and wetlands filter water so it is clean, and animals need
clean water to drink

Plants are producers — they take energy from the sun,

nutrients from the ground, and water to grow and produce
their flowers, seeds, and berries. They also release oxygen,
which all animals, including humans, need to survive.

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Animals are consumers and they all depend on plants for survival.

Some eat plants directly, while others eat animals that eat the
plants.

In turn, some plants depend on animals to help spread their seed.

Wind and water also help disperse seeds. Some plants disperse their
own seeds.

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Flowering plants, like berries, have an interdependent relationship

with pollinating animals; the plants depend on bees and insects for
pollination, while the pollinators need the nectar from the flowers.

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After the flowers have been pollinated, they can turn into berries,
which are then eaten by animals like birds, foxes, and people. The
berry seeds pass through the consumer’s system, and then are
deposited in new areas — thereby helping the plant to reproduce.

Decomposing animal carcasses can also provide nutrients for plants

to grow.

Plants act as a habitat for many animals. Like arboreal animals,

different birds build their nest on plants, etc.

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Plants produce oxygen during Plants help in camouflaging

the process of photosynthesis animals so that they can get
while animals produce carbon protected from predators, or
dioxide during respiration. predators can sneak up on prey.

Plants play an important role in maintaining the water cycle due to

their process of transpiration through the open surface of their
leaves. In this transpiration, process water evaporates from the leaf
surface and thus contributes to the water cycle.

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Significance of Interdependence of Plants and Animals

Flow of energy- the interdependence of plants and animals creates a

flow of energy in the ecosystem. Plants get energy from the Sun.
They use it during photosynthesis. This is stored in the plants as
starch. Humans and animals get this energy when they eat the
plants. Carnivores eat herbivores to get this energy.

2. Balance in nature- Due to the interdependence of plants and

animals, there is balance in nature, i.e., the numbers of different
organisms keep on being checked. As herbivores eat plants, so the
number of plants is under control. Carnivores feed on herbivores, so
the number of herbivores is under control and so on.

People depend on plants and animals for survival.

People eat poultry, fish and cattle.
People directly use many plants — eating some and using others for
medicinal purposes; these include: Labrador tea, a variety of berries,
beach greens, seaweeds, willow, and others.

How do you depend on plants and animals?

Write about it!

Plants need air, water, nutrients, sunlight, and space to grow.

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Circle the needs of plants.

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Animals need air, food, water, and shelter.

A food chain is one way to show interdependence. A food chain

shows the energy transfer from one organism to another. It begins
with what gets eaten and continues the flow of energy with arrows
pointing to what eats it.

Animals which live in the special area get their energy, nutrients and
food either directly or indirectly from plants that grow there.

As herbivores consume only plants, carnivores consume animals, and

omnivores consume both animals and plants.

How well did you read?

How do animals (including insects)

use plants?

How do plants benefit from

animals?

What happens when an animal dies?

What happens when a plant dies?

How do humans use plants and

animals?

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All animals and plants depend on each other to survive. This is known
as interdependence.

How do the following plants and animals depend on each other?

Choose words from the word bank to complete the sentences.

1. Plants provide bees with _________________________. Bees

help to _____________________________ flowers.

2. Grasses provide ____________________________ for

snowshoe hares. _____________________ from the plants are
spread by snowshoe hares.

3. Animals breathe in ________________________ and exhale

carbon dioxide. Plants use _______________________ in
photosynthesis and exhale oxygen for animals to
_______________________.

4. Spruce trees provide _________________________ for

porcupines. Spruce cones are _______________________ to
other areas by porcupines.

5. Some animals eat ____________________ and

___________________. When plants and animals die, they
decompose and provide _________________________________
in the soil for plants.

6. Forest and wetlands ________________________ water and

provide _________________ water for plants and animals.

nectar food shelter seeds oxygen animals

pollinate spread clean filter plants breathe
nutrients carbon dioxide

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Select an animal from the local environment. Determine the type of

environment the animal lives in. Draw a picture of that animal,
including all the necessary things the animal needs to survive, how it
uses the environment, how it depends on plants and other animals,
and how plants and animals depend on it. Also, show the
interdependency of the animal on the plants and other animals in its
environment.

Type of environment: Land or water (circle one)

Write a short description of your picture of your animal, including all

necessary factors of how your animal survives in its environment.

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Name two ways that the local community depends on the local
environment.

1. _________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________

Name two ways the local plants and animals depend on the local
community.

3. _________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________

5. If the people in the local community gathered all the fruits and
left none to regrow, how would that impact the local environment?
Include in your answer which plants and animals would be affected
and why.

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

6. What is the responsibility of the local community to the local

environment? Give examples to support your response.

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

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SCIENCE MATTERS! KEYBIBI YASMIN HATIM
TERMS:
biome - major ecological

IN community with distinct

climate and flora.
Habitats that have similar

ECOSYSTEM
climate and plants are
called biomes .
habitat - the type of
environment in which an
UNIT 3: HABITAT organism normally lives
organism - a living thing
CHANGE that can act or function
independently. Some
other animals need only
a small amount of space
and can put up with
neighbours that live close.
• All organisms have needs, such
population: the total of
as food, water, and air. If the living organisms in a given
needs of the organisms in the area. Just like you have
ecosystem are not met, to go to the store to get
food, an animal leaves its
they cannot survive. "shelter" to get the things
• Animals usually need food, they need to live.
water, and shelter. For extinction - the state of
being no longer in
example: if deer need to eat
existence. When a
grass and the place, they live in species is threatened, or
no longer has grass, they have becomes near extinction,
to move somewhere else or it becomes important to
protect their habitat.
risk not surviving. Endangered - in imminent
threat of extinction
climate - the weather in
some location averaged
over a period of time.
Habitats that have
similar climate and plants
are called biomes .
physical - involving the
body as distinguished
from the mind or spirit.
The habitat niche is
the physical space
occupied by the plant160 or
animal.
SCIENCE MATTERS! BIBI YASMIN HATIM

Habitat change

The place where an animal or plant lives and grows is called its
habitat.

A habitat is where and animal finds the food, water, and shelter it
needs to live.

How are animal habitats destroyed?

Many habitats are destroyed by people or by nature. Droughts,

Floods, Lightning and Forest Fires, Land, Air, or Water Pollution,
Storms, Hurricanes, Deforestation and Tornadoes.

Trees are cut down to build houses, buildings, roads, furniture, and
paper products.

What would happen if an animal’s habitat was destroyed?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Habitats are destroyed by

Droughts
• The ponds or streams will dry up. Most pond plants will die.
Many pond animals die or move to other ponds. Some crops will
not grow.

Floods
• Plants and animals get too much water. Many plants die. Many
animals die or move to drier places.

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Lightening
• Sometimes lightning strikes a tree in a forest, causing forest
fires. Plants and trees are burned and destroyed. Some animals
die, others may be able to move quickly to safer places. It
takes many years for a forest to grow back.

Pollution
• Pollution is waste that harms land, water, or air. Pollution is
harmful to people, animals, the environment, and destroys many
habitats.
• Land pollution effects the land destroying life, the
environment, and its habitats. Trash that people do not put in a
trash can is called litter. Litter kills plants and causes animals
to get sick or die.
• Air pollution effects the air we breathe. Plants and animals
need clean air. Factories and cars put harmful smoke and fumes
in our air. Air pollution causes major damage to our health and
the environment. Forests are nature’s air cleaner. We need
forest to help keep the air clean.
• Water pollution effects the water and marine life. Water
pollution destroys water habitats. Water pollution has caused
animals to become endangered. All living things need clean

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water. Water is nature’s perfect drink! Water is a valuable

resource that no one could do without.

What would happen if an animal’s habitat were destroyed?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

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Endangered or Extinct?

There are lots of reasons why animals become endangered or

extinct. The most common are:
• loss of habitat (forests cut down, rivers drying up).
• pollution poison the animals.
• hunting (for sport, their fur, tusks or meat).

Caring for the Environment

It is in our own best interests to look after the world we live in. If a
habitat is lost or damaged, it has an effect on everything. Remember
- once something becomes extinct, it’s gone forever!

What can you do to help the environment?

Recycle or Reuse or Recycle means to change something so it can be

used to make something new. Reuse means to use something more
than once.

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What can you do to help the environment?

People can take care of their environment and keep it clean.

• Plant trees Recycle or reuse things
• Don’t litter
• Don’t pollute
• Walk or ride a bike
• Develop national parks
• Learn more about habitats
• Making laws to protect habitats
• Setting aside land for wildlife

Brainstorm:

Q: What types of habitats did you

learn?

Q: What would happen if those

habitats change?

Q: What would cause the habitats

to change?

Q: What happens to living things

when habitats change?

Q: How can you classify the

causes of habitat changes?

Q: What are the bad effects of

habitat changes on the habitats
and living things?
Q: What are the good effects of
habitat changes on the habitats
and living things?

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Q: What are some examples of

habitat changes?

Q: What are the main causes of

habitat changes?

Q: What are the good and bad

effects of habitat changes?

Effects of habitat change

Causes of habitat change What will happen to the

habitats and living things?

People cut down trees in a

forest

It rains heavily and rivers flood

It does not rain for a long time

and a pond dries up

A forest fire occurs and burn

out a large part of the forest

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State the factors that cause habitat changes.

List them as
Natural Human

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Read and answer the questions.

Habitat Destruction

Humans are the leading cause of plants and animals becoming

endangered or extinct. An endangered species has so few members
that the species may die out. Unless something is done to protect an
endangered species, they will
be gone forever. We will not
have any more of that kind
of plant or animal on Earth.

The most dangerous thing

humans do to endangered
animals is destroy their
habitats. This is usually
because we do not pay very
close attention. When there is an area of land we want to use, we
don’t notice what is already living there.

Thousands of acres of tropical forest, or rainforest, have been

destroyed by humans. People wanted the land and lumber for building
projects. Countless plants and animals have been lost in this one
habitat alone. Many of the organisms that live in the tropical
rainforest do not live anywhere else. We are just beginning to
discover medicines and other resources there. We risk losing that
knowledge if more species die out.

Most of us don’t live near a tropical rainforest. However, that does

not mean we are far away from habitat destruction. When a town
expands, more houses and businesses are built. The town pushes the
local wildlife farther from its natural habitat. Wetlands and
grasslands are unique habitats that are especially at risk.
Thankfully, people are more aware of the problem. This is the first
step toward protecting habitats.

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Answer the following questions based on the reading passage. Do

not forget to go back to the passage whenever necessary to
find or confirm your answers.
Actual answers may vary.

1) Why are so many plants and

animals endangered?

2) What do we risk losing in addition

to plants and animals if we continue
to destroy rainforests?

3) What happens when towns want

to expand onto more land?

4) What kinds of habitat are

especially at risk?

5) How can we help prevent more

habitat destruction?

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Habitat Change

A small, short-furred, gray animal

called a divo lives on an island.
This island is the only place on
Earth where divos live. The island
habitat is warm and provides
plenty of the divos’ only food—
tree ants. The divos live high in
the treetops, hidden from predators. One year the habitat
experienced a drastic change that lasted for most of the year. It
became very cold and even snowed. All of the ants died. The trees
lost their leaves, but plenty of seeds and dried leaves were on the
ground.

Circle any of the things you think happened to most of the divos
living on the island after their habitat changed.

A. The divos’ fur grew longer and thicker.

B. The divos switched to eating seeds.

C. The divos dug holes to live under the leaves or beneath rocks.

D. The divos hibernated through the cold period until the habitat
was warm again.

E. The divos died. Explain your thinking.

How did you decide what effect the change in habitat would have on
most of the divos?

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HOW DO CHANGES IN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HUMAN

AND NATURAL) IMPACT THE SURVIVAL OF PLANTS AND ANIMALS?

Humans are responsible for causing changes in the environment

that hurt animals and plant species. We take up more space on
our homes and cities. We pollute habitats. We illegally hunt and kill
animals. We bring exotic species into habitats. All of these
activities take resources and habitats away from plants and
animals.

Human activity often changes or destroys the habitats that plants

and animals need to survive. Because human populations are
growing so fast animals and plants are disappearing 1000 times
faster than they have in the past 65 million years. Scientists
estimate that in the 21st century 100 species will become extinct
every day.

Complete the table below by choosing the effect that occurs

based on the cause, then decide if that leads to either an
increase or decrease in biodiversity.
Cause Effect Does this increase
or decrease
biodiversity?
Using dangerous
pesticides
Replanting trees

Habitat
management
Oil spills in the
ocean
Conservation

Heavily fertilizing
crops
Overhunting

Deforestation

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WHY DO DIFFERENT ORGANISMS NEED SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL

CONDITIONS TO SURVIVE

What are the ways organisms adapting to live in their habitats?

As the environment changes, animals that cannot adapt die out,

and only the adapted ones survive to produce babies. Then the
whole species soon contains only animals that are adapted to the
new environment.

Another important part of an animal's environment is what kinds of

food/plants grow in it. The other animals that live there also have
an effect. If there are predators around, the prey animals will have
to learn to defend themselves or run fast to escape.

Animals can only live in places they are adapted to. They must
have the right kind of habitat where they can find the food and
space they need.

Adaptation can protect animals from predators or from harsh

weather.

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What is going on in the cartoon?

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Plants and animals live in specific climates to survive and meet their
needs, such as the food they eat, water and shelter.

Climate change has caused changes to plant and animal environments.

These changes can affect the ecosystem as a whole. When the
climate change, temperatures change, weather patterns change, and
water levels may rise or fall.

The factors contributing to climate change are increased use of

fossil fuels, agriculture, and volcanic eruptions.

As the earth’s temperature continues to rise, animals and plants are

struggling to survive and might not find a suitable habitat. Plants
may freeze or shrivel up, and animals may have difficulty staying
warm or finding enough food or water.

Many of the Arctic icebergs and snowier regions are melting because
of the rising temperatures and sea levels. This cause polar bears to
seek cooler climates and higher heights.

In warmer climates, they experience periods of drought. Animals

have to move elsewhere to find significant water and fresh plants to
eat. Every plant and animal species play a role in the ecosystem, so
when climate change causes them to move, the entire ecosystem
suffers.

Plants require nutrient-rich soil to grow. Climate change caused by

releases reduces soil sources. When droughts occur it leads to
erosion, wiping away plants. When the soil cannot rebuild itself the
region can become a desert and the animals will migrate to find more
secure sources of food and water.

So how does climate change affect plants and animals?

Climate change can drastically alter plant and animal life cycles.
Because of climate change, the seasons are shifting. Wet season or

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dry season seems to be beginning earlier. The plants start blooming

sooner than usual.
Also, animals that hibernate are getting out of their hibernation
earlier. Birds are flying further north as temperatures change. Fish
are starting to migrate earlier to spawn.

All of these climate change outcomes can make survival more

difficult, especially for young plants and animals as they try to
navigate the climate.

List how nature affect the lives of plants and animals.

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