How do Changes to the Environment Affect Living Things?

Our environment is constantly changing. These changes can affect living things in positive and negative ways. This science worksheet aims to help students understand the effects of environmental change.

With this resource, students will read a comprehension passage and answer questions based on their reading. Students will read about environmental structures that animals depend on, explain how melting ice affects animals, and how humans can positively/negatively affect the environment. 

An answer key is included with your download to make grading fast and easy!  

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

In addition to independent student work time, use this worksheet as an activity for:

• Guided science groups
• Lesson warm-up
• Lesson wrap-up
• Fast finishers 
• Homework assignment
• Whole-class review (via smartboard)

Invite students who need additional support to complete the worksheet in a 1-on-1 or small group setting. Additionally, students can reference previous lessons, presentations, or anchor charts as support.

For fast finishers, encourage students to list additional environmental factors that positively and negatively impact living things.

🖨️ Easily Download & Print

Use the dropdown icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or editable Google Slides version of this resource. 

Because this resource includes an answer sheet, we recommend you print one copy of the entire file. Then, make photocopies of the blank worksheet for students to complete. 

To save paper, we suggest printing this 2-page worksheet double-sided.

Additionally, project the worksheet onto a screen and work through it as a class by having students record their answers in their notebooks. 

This resource was created by Melissa McLaren, a Teach Starter Collaborator.