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A lot of people don’t know the difference between an herbivore, a carnivore, and an omnivore. This is a printable unit study that helps kids learn about these three types of animals!
A few things to get started: What do you think are some differences between the three? Which one would be easiest for humans to eat meat from? Why might being able to digest cellulose (plant material) make it easier for cows or pigs to eat grass than it is for us? Why does this matter in terms of how we should treat our environment? Let’s explore!
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What Are Herbivores?
What are herbivores? Herbivores are animals that only eat plants. They eat leaves, flowers, roots, bark, and other parts of plants. Examples of herbivores include cows, deer, goats, sheep, rabbits, and many different types of insects.
Herbivores can be divided into different groups, based on what type of plant the animal eats. For example, some herbivores eat only leaves or grasses. Others only eat fruit. Some animals are very picky about their food and will only eat a certain type of leaf or leafy green vegetable.
What Are Carnivores?
What are carnivores? Carnivores are animals that only eat meat. They eat other animals or the flesh of other animals. Some examples of carnivores include tigers, sharks, snakes, and crocodiles.
Carnivores can be divided into different groups just like herbivores. For example, there are piscivores, insectivores, predators, and more.
What Are Omnivores?
What are omnivores? Omnivores are animals that eat both plants and meat. Some examples of omnivores include pigs, opossums, humans, raccoons, bears, mice, and ants.
Omnivores will usually eat a wide variety of foods to get the nutrients they need to survive. For example, omnivores might eat grains like wheat and corn, as well as meat.
Tips for How to Teach Kids About Different Types of Animals
Be patient and don’t expect your child to retain all the information you share with them at once. Help them retain new information by making it fun! For example, ask open-ended questions that make kids think.
Don’t pressure them to learn! Kids are more likely to enjoy learning if they feel like it’s their idea and not something you’re forcing on them. And don’t forget that there are lots of fun games out there for kids of all ages. As a parent, helping your child learn should be a priority but it doesn’t need to be a chore!
Take your kids to a local zoo. Have them identify each animal that they see. Or watch a movie that features a bunch of animals (Zootopia or The Lion King are great examples) and have them identify the herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores in each scene.
Or, for simplicity, purchase and download this fun printable unit study on herbivores, omnivores, and carnivores and use it in your studies this week! It’s got all the information you need to get started teaching your kids all about animals and what they eat.
A Printable Unit Study About Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores
Are you ready to teach your kids about animals and the things they eat? The Herbivores, Carnivores, and Omnivores Unit Study makes for a simple yet highly effective resource that you can use in your homeschool or in your classroom.
This 9-page unit study includes plenty of research and information
In the first section, you’ll find a link to a highly informative video that teaches kids about grouping animals according to what they eat.
After that, you’ll have a few pages of research and information regarding omnivores, herbivores, carnivores, and all the sub-classifications that go within those groups (xylophages, folivores, piscivores, etc). You’ll have a few pages where your kids can match animals to their foods and answer questions, you’ll get a vocabulary review page, and finally, you’ll get a section that guides you through a research study on the animal(s) of your choice!
This is a highly engaging and educational unit study that is designed for the elementary years. And at only $3, it’s an amazing deal!
Grab Your Unit Study Now!
Teach your kids about animals and their favorite foods with this fun unit study. Grab yours today for only $3.
More Animal Resources
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