Grade 1: Chapter 3
Animals Around Us
3.1 Introduction to Animals
Animals are living things that can be found all around us. They come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Some animals are very big like elephants, while others are very small like ants. Animals are different from plants because they cannot make their own food and need to move around to find food.
Fun Fact!
Scientists believe there are about 8.7 million different types of animals on Earth, but they have only discovered and named about 1.2 million of them so far!
In this chapter, we will learn about different types of animals, how they move, what they eat, and how to be kind to them.
3.2 Types of Animals
There are many different types of animals. We can group them based on where they live and how they are related to humans:
- Pets: These are animals that live with people in their homes. People take care of them and love them. Examples: dogs, cats, rabbits, fish.
- Farm Animals: These animals are kept by farmers. They help humans by giving us food or helping with work. Examples: cows, goats, chickens, horses.
- Wild Animals: These animals live in forests, jungles, oceans, or other natural places. They take care of themselves without human help. Examples: lions, tigers, elephants, monkeys, fish in rivers and oceans.
- Birds: These animals have feathers, wings, and beaks. Most birds can fly. Examples: sparrows, crows, parrots, peacocks.
- Insects: These are small animals with six legs and often have wings. Examples: butterflies, bees, ants, grasshoppers.
Activity: Animal Groups
Make a list of 10 animals you know. Sort them into these groups:
- Pets
- Farm Animals
- Wild Animals
- Birds
- Insects
Draw pictures of your favorite animal from each group.
3.3 How Animals Move
Different animals move in different ways. Here are some ways animals move:
- Walk: Many animals walk on their legs. Examples: dogs, cats, cows, elephants.
- Run: Some animals can move very fast by running. Examples: horses, cheetahs, rabbits.
- Fly: Birds and some insects can fly using their wings. Examples: sparrows, butterflies, bees.
- Swim: Many animals that live in water can swim. Examples: fish, ducks, frogs, turtles.
- Crawl: Some animals move by crawling close to the ground. Examples: snakes, snails, lizards.
- Hop or Jump: Some animals move by hopping or jumping. Examples: kangaroos, frogs, grasshoppers.
- Climb: Some animals can climb trees or walls. Examples: monkeys, squirrels, lizards.
Fun Fact!
The cheetah is the fastest land animal and can run at speeds up to 120 kilometers per hour (75 miles per hour)!
Activity: Animal Movements
Try to move like these animals:
- Hop like a rabbit
- Crawl like a snake
- Fly like a bird
- Swim like a fish
- Run like a horse
Which movement was the most fun? Which was the most difficult?
3.4 What Animals Eat
Different animals eat different types of food. Based on what they eat, we can group animals into three main categories:
- Herbivores: These animals eat only plants, like leaves, grass, fruits, and vegetables. Examples: cows, horses, rabbits, elephants, goats.
- Carnivores: These animals eat only other animals. Examples: lions, tigers, wolves, eagles, sharks.
- Omnivores: These animals eat both plants and animals. Examples: humans, bears, crows, dogs, chickens.
Fun Fact!
A giraffe can eat up to 34 kilograms (75 pounds) of leaves and twigs every day!
Activity: What Do They Eat?
Draw lines to match these animals with what they eat:
- Cow - Meat
- Lion - Grass
- Parrot - Seeds and fruits
- Dog - Both plants and meat
- Butterfly - Nectar from flowers
Now, think about what you eat. Are you an herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore?
3.5 Animal Homes
Different animals live in different types of homes. Some animals build their own homes, while others find natural places to live.
- Nests: Birds build nests using twigs, grass, and other materials. Some insects like bees also build nests.
- Burrows: Some animals dig holes in the ground to live in. Examples: rabbits, foxes, snakes.
- Dens: Larger animals like bears and wolves live in dens, which can be caves or holes in the ground.
- Webs: Spiders spin webs to catch food and sometimes live in them.
- Hives: Bees and some wasps live together in hives.
- Water: Fish, whales, and many other animals live in water bodies like oceans, rivers, and lakes.
- Trees: Many animals like monkeys, squirrels, and some birds live in trees.
Activity: Animal Homes
Draw pictures of these animal homes:
- A bird's nest
- A rabbit's burrow
- A spider's web
- A beehive
3.6 Being Kind to Animals
Animals are living things that can feel pain and happiness, just like us. It's important to be kind to all animals. Here are some ways we can be kind to animals:
- Treat pets with care: If you have a pet, make sure it has food, water, shelter, and love.
- Don't disturb wild animals: Watch wild animals from a distance. Don't chase or scare them.
- Don't harm insects: Even small creatures like ants and butterflies are important for nature.
- Help animals in need: If you see an injured animal, tell an adult who can help.
- Keep the environment clean: Litter and pollution can harm animals. Always put trash in the right place.
Activity: Being Kind to Animals
Make a poster showing 5 ways to be kind to animals. Share your poster with your friends and family.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter, we learned about:
- Different types of animals: pets, farm animals, wild animals, birds, and insects
- How animals move: walk, run, fly, swim, crawl, hop, and climb
- What animals eat: herbivores (plant-eaters), carnivores (meat-eaters), and omnivores (both)
- Where animals live: nests, burrows, dens, webs, hives, water, and trees
- How to be kind to animals
Animals are amazing creatures that share our world. They come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. Each animal is special and has its own way of moving, eating, and living. It's important to learn about animals and be kind to them.