PRIMATES AND THEIR HABITATS
PRIMATES AND THEIR HABITATS
Activities for introducing the diversity of nonhuman primate species and the habitats in which they live
Most nonhuman primates live in the world’s rainforests. But did you know that some live in dry semi-deserts? Or that some live in cold, snowy mountains and other regions that may surprise you? Did you know that, because we humans are moving our settlements into their habitats, some primates live in cities alongside humans? Yet—despite the diversity of their habitats—did you know that 69% of the world’s primate species are threatened by extinction? 43% are considered to be Critically Endangered or Endangered. All are at risk due to habitat loss—and most habitat loss is due to human activity.
Nonhuman primates are indicator species for the health of ecosystems. That means that if their habitats are in danger, so is every other creature that lives there. Each ecosystem includes exactly the right number, combination, and diversity of plants and animals to create a beautiful, interdependent relationship that allows it to flourish. This interdependence is why biodiversity exists. Biodiversity keeps the Earth and her creatures living and thriving.
The good news is that because most habitat destruction is due to human activity, it is preventable, repairable, and reversible. We cannot and should not sit back and wait for someone else to do something. We must each be the change that we hope for.
The first step is to learn about the many diverse primate species, where they naturally live, and what they need to thrive, survive, and produce future generations. Their futures are dependent upon the survival of the ecosystems that nurture and support them, and that they nurture in return.
Learn where your favorite monkeys and apes live as you enjoy playing these card games. And maybe someday you can help protect them.
For Educators: Education Standards
THE DECK
THE GAMES
Learn about the habitats and primates featured in the deck
A memory game for younger players
A more challenging memory and matching game
A fun solitaire game
A “fishing” game for multiple players
MATERIALS AND PREPARATION
THE CARDS
- Print the cards. For best results, print on card stock.
- Cut out the cards.
- Play!
FEATURED HABITATS
- Introduction to the diversity of primate species
- Gain familiarity with the difference between apes, monkeys, and prosimians
- Understand that primate species can vary greatly in appearance
- Learn where in the world primate species naturally live
- Learn some world geography
- Understand that nonhuman primates live naturally in habitats to which they are specifically adapted
- Learn that, although most primate species live in the canopy of the world’s rainforests, many live in other surprising habitats
- Gain awareness that animal species are adapted to nourish their habitats and those same habitats nourish the animals that live in them
- Learn that a primate’s appearance can be an indicator of its native habitat
EDUCATION STANDARDS
Massachusetts Science Standard(s)*
First Grade
1-Life Science 1-1(1-LS1-1) (a) Use evidence to explain that different animals use their body parts and sense in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find and take in food, water, and air.
1-Life Science 1-2(1-LS1-2) Obtain information to compare ways in which the behavior of different animal parents and their offspring help the offspring to survive.
Second Grade
2-Life Science 4-2(2-LS4-1) Use text, media, or local environments to observe and compare (a) different kinds of living things in an area, and (b) differences in kinds of living things in different types of areas.
*When available, Common Core Standards are used. Otherwise Massachusetts State Standards will be used for reference.
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics
Kindergarten
CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.B.3 Classify objects into a given category, count the number of objects in each category, and sort the categories by count.
Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy
Kindergarten
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.2 Use a combination of drawing, dictating, and writing to compose informative/explanatory texts in which they name what they are writing about and supply some information about the topic.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.7. Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.K.8 Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
First Grade
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., explore a number of “how-to” books on a given topic and use them to write a sequence of instructions).
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.1.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Second Grade
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they introduce a topic, use facts and definitions to develop points, and provide a concluding statement or section.
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.W.2.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
Know
1-LS1-1 Standard Bottom Line
Animals are diverse and have specialized adaptations that help them survive and thrive in their environments, and students can use evidence to explain these concepts.
- Animal Diversity
- Body parts & function
- eyes, ears, hands/feet, skin/scales/fur/feathers, legs/wings/fins, mouths/beaks
- Sensory Perception
- sight, hearing, smell, touch, taste
- Adaptations
- Basic Needs
- Behavioral Patterns
- Dependence on Environment
1-LS1-2 Standard Bottom Line
Animals use diverse strategies to ensure the survival of their young, and students can explain different behaviors in different animals.
- Animal Behavior
- Survival Skills
- feeding, protection, teaching, shelter
2-LS4-1 Standard Bottom Line
One habitat is home to a variety of different living things, different habitats are homes to different living things, and students can explain the differences within and between habitats.
Types of Habitats
- mangrove
- mountain
- rainforests
- savanna
- semi-arid
- urban
CCSS.Math.Content.K.MD.B.3 Bottom Line
Students develop early math skills including categorization, counting, and comparison.
Understand categories
- describe attributes (for example, color, shape, size; in this lesson, habitat)
- group by similarities (same habitats)
Counting
- 1:1 correspondence
- Number word sequence
Sort By Count
- compare and contrast groups by number of objects (primates) in group
Nonfiction Writing Standards Bottom Line (Optional)
Students use increasingly sophisticated writing structures to communicate nonfiction information clearly and coherently.
An informational text focuses on a specific topic.
An informational text provides facts and details about the same topic.
An informational text provides a sense of closure.
Research Standards Bottom Line
Use personal experiences and a variety of provided sources to gather information, and work with others to clearly present that information.
Recall personal experiences.
Use resources provided by a teacher to gather new information.
Show
Matching: Students will (SW) match animal cards with exact matches. SW match animal cards by habitat. SW sort cards by animal habitat.
Counting: SW count how many primates in each habitat. SW use words such as “more” or “less” to describe groups (for example “More primates live in the rainforest”)
Science Journal (optional): SW record knowledge in a journal, using game pictures, drawings, labeling, or writing sentences.
Classroom discussion: SW share observations with peers. SW compare animals across and between habitats. SW explain their thinking. SW share wonderings/questions about animals. SW present new information to peers.
Storytelling (optional): SW tell stories about animal life as it relates to animal behavior and survival.
Compare & contrast (optional): SW discuss ways that different habitats are similar or different. SW describe similarities and differences between animals within the same habitat and across habitats. (For example, all three primates in the mangrove habitat are medium to large size primates)
Research: SW use provided resources (physical or virtual books, videos, NEPC website, or other approved resources) to find new information about animals with guidance and support. SW present and share research in a clear way, such as: discussion, writing, drawing pictures, using provided visuals, or role playing.
Writing (optional): SW write nonfiction text to share learned information. SW use relevant vocabulary to add details in simple sentences.
Education Standards Success Criteria can be found at the bottom of each Game, Activity, and Lesson page of this module.
Standards by Brandi Bellacicco, Aug 2024
Copyright © New England Primate Conservancy 2018-2022, You may freely use, copy and share these Learning Activities for educational purposes.
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