Teaching article

Build a habitat around an imaginary creature's stated needs

Connect a proposed habitat feature with the creature's stated needs.

Give the invented creature a short profile before anyone draws its home. A shaded corner, climbing space or water feature should answer a need in that profile, making the design's reasoning visible.

Ask the designer to point from each feature to a need in the profile. Attractive additions may be optional rather than necessary.

Point from each feature to a need

Read its needs. Draw suitable features. Explain each choice.

A fictional shade-seeking creature needs a shaded area in the model.

Invented needs are not facts about real species. Which feature answers a stated need?

Provide picture choices.

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