1st Grade

S1L1. Students
will investigate
the
characteristics
and basic needs
of plants and
animals.

a. Identify the
basic needs of a
plant.
1. Air
2. Water
3. Light
4. Nutrients
b. Identify the
basic needs of an
animal.
1. Air
2. Water
3. Food
4. Shelter
c. Identify the
parts of a plant
root, stem, leaf,

Life Science: Needs of Plants and Animals 1st, 3rd, 4th, Zoology (high school)
3rd Grade
4th Grade
Zoology
S3L1. Students
S4L2. Students
SZ4. Students will assess how animals
will investigate
will identify
interact with their environment
the habitats of
factors that
including key
different
affect the
adaptations found within animal taxa.
organisms and
survival or
the dependence extinction of
of
organisms such
organisms on
as
their habitat
adaptation,
variation of
behaviors
(hibernation),
and external
features
(camouflage
and
protection).
a. Differentiate
between habitats of
Georgia
(mountains,
marsh/swamp,
coast,
Piedmont, Atlantic
Ocean) and the
organisms that live
there.
b. Identify features
of green plants that
allow them to live
and thrive in
different regions
of Georgia.
c. Identify features
of animals that
allow them to live
and thrive in

a. Identify external
features of
organisms that
allow them to
survive or
reproduce better
than organisms
that do not have
these features (for
example:
camouflage, use of
hibernation,
protection, etc.).
b. Identify factors
that may have led
to the extinction of
some organisms.

a. Discuss morphological and physiological

adaptations relative to ecological roles.
b. Relate animal adaptations, including
behaviors, to the ecological roles of animals.
c. Explain various life cycles found among
animals (e.g., polyp and medusa in
cnidarians; multiple hosts and stages in the
platyhelminthe life cycle; arthropod
metamorphosis; egg, tadpole, adult stages in
the amphibian life cycle).

and flower.
d. Compare and
describe various
animals
appearance,
motion, growth,
basic needs.
Misconceptions

different regions of
Georgia.
d. Explain what will
happen to an
organism if the
habitat is changed.

1. Plants and animals do

not depend on each
other.
2. All animals have the
same characteristics.

Misconceptions

Misconceptions

1. All plants and

animals can live
in any part of the
state.

1. Plants and animals

dont need each
other for survival.
2. Adaptations and
camouflage
prevent some
animals and plants
from becoming
food.
3. Extinction only
occurred in the
days of dinosaurs.
4. Plants and animals
can change
features to adapt.

2. Animals and plants

can adapt to changes
in a habitat.

3. There are no wild

animals in the city.
4. Plants are not alive in
the cold, winter
months.
5. Animals can talk, since
they talk in books.

Addressing
Misconceptions
1. Identify which
animals eat plants.
How do animals
help spread seeds?

Addressing
Misconceptions
1. Identify which
animals may
live in the
mountain

Addressing
Misconceptions
1. Identify which
animals eat plants.
How do animals
help spread seeds?

Misconceptions

2. Compare/contrast
animal
characteristics.
3. Identify animals
living in your city.
4. Follow a tree as it
changes through the
seasons.
5. Identify animal
sounds.

Lesson Ideas
*plant seeds in sunlight
and in darkness (compare)
*create a habitat for an
animal including its needs
using Legos
*observe plants in the
winter
*observe classroom pets or
bring in animals
compare/contrast

region
compared to
animals living
near the
coastal plain.
What are their
needs?
2. Plant a
tropical
flower outside
the classroom
in the winter.
Observe what
happens as it
tries to
survive in the
winter.
Lesson Ideas
*observations outside
of natural habitats
*design and construct
a bird beak to pick up
objects
*design and construct
a birds nest out of
materials found in
nature

2. Find videos of
animal/plant
adaptations in
which it becomes
food.
3. Identify what
other animals have
become extinct or
have limited
numbers.
4. Plant a tropical
flower outside the
classroom in the
winter. Observe
what happens as it
tries to survive in
the winter.
Lesson Ideas
Lesson Ideas
*design and create
your own animal with
its own adaptations
*compare and contrast
various living things
*observe an animal
(class pet or bring one)
and identify its
characteristics