Comparing needs of plants & animals to the needs of humans

General

In this lesson, students learn about the needs of humans, plants and animals. Then they compare those needs and identify what all living things need to survive as well as what specific living things need. They will practice by sorting objects and filling in a Venn diagram and other graphic organizers.

Standards

NGSS:
K-LS1-1; K-ESS3-1; K-ESS2-2; 1-LS1-1

Learning Objective

Students will be able to describe the needs of humans, plants, and animals. They will also be able to compare and contrast those needs.

Introduction

Begin by reviewing what a need is. Ask students to share what they think they need to survive. You might ask questions like, “Do you need candy to survive?”

Instruction

Go over what humans and animals need to survive. Explain that there are some differences. Although both humans and animals need shelter, they may be very different. For example, humans need a home, but a bird needs a nest for shelter. Do the same when discussing food and clothing. Have students circle the pictures that show what a human or animal needs. Then have them drag the star to the images that show what a dog specifically needs. Next, go over the needs of plants. Explain that plants need water, nutrients, sunlight, and air. Students then drag the words to identify the needs of plants. Then they fill out the Venn diagram comparing the needs of animals and humans to the needs of plants. Finally, students drag the needs that all living things have: plants, humans, and animals.

Quiz

Check student understanding with ten true or false and multiple-choice questions.

Closing

To conclude, students review what they learned in the lesson. They will write one thing that humans and animals need, something a plant needs, and something all of them need to live.

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