teaching resource

Characteristics of an Environment – Worksheet

  • Updated

    Updated:  27 Oct 2023

Enhance your students’ comprehension and science skills by learning about the physical characteristics of different environments and how they support populations within an ecosystem.

  • Editable

    Editable:  Google Slides

  • Non-Editable

    Non-Editable:  PDF

  • Pages

    Pages:  1 Page

  • Curriculum
  • Grades

    Grades:  3 - 4

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teaching resource

Characteristics of an Environment – Worksheet

  • Updated

    Updated:  27 Oct 2023

Enhance your students’ comprehension and science skills by learning about the physical characteristics of different environments and how they support populations within an ecosystem.

  • Editable

    Editable:  Google Slides

  • Non-Editable

    Non-Editable:  PDF

  • Pages

    Pages:  1 Page

  • Curriculum
  • Grades

    Grades:  3 - 4

Enhance your students’ comprehension and science skills by learning about the physical characteristics of different environments and how they support populations within an ecosystem.

What are Some Different Characteristics of an Environment?

Are your students learning about how the environment plays a role in the survival of living things? Factors such as landforms, climate, and natural resources may be essential for a species to survive. This worksheet combines reading and science for students to learn about these special features.

With this resource, students will read a passage covering different characteristics that may be present in an environment. These characteristics help animals thrive and survive. After reading the passage, students will answer questions that pertain to the text and the topic itself. Students are also required to complete a table with different environmental characteristics and how they are helpful to different species.

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

Tips for Differentiation + Scaffolding 

Early finishers can develop other examples that are not included in the resource to push their thinking and make transferable connections.

For students who need a bit of support, consider completing this activity in a 1-on-1 or small group setting. Additionally, invite students to reference previous assignments, posters, or anchor charts.

🖨️ 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 multi-page worksheet double-sided.

Turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity by printing on cardstock and slipping it into a dry-erase sleeve. Students can record their answers with a whiteboard marker, then erase and reuse them. 

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 teacher in Massachusetts and Teach Starter Collaborator.


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