Georgia S1L1.b
The Standard
Ask questions to compare and contrast the basic needs of plants (air, water, light, and nutrients) and animals (air, water, food, and shelter).
Georgia Standards of Excellence for Science · Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students ask questions about what plants and animals need to live. They sort shared and different needs, then explain their comparison using observations or simple sources.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students identify air and water as needs shared by plants and animals. They explain that plants need light and nutrients, while animals need food and shelter, and ask a relevant comparison question.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may say plants eat soil or that sunlight is food. They may treat wants, such as toys, as needs or think every animal uses the same kind of shelter.
How to Assess It
- Give students pictures of air, water, sunlight, nutrients, food, shelter, and toys. Ask them to place each on a plant, animal, or both chart and write one comparison question.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Set up two hoops labeled Plants and Animals, then have students place need cards in one hoop or the overlap and explain each choice.
Show a bean plant and a rabbit photo, then ask students what each needs and which needs they share.
Play Need or Want bingo with picture cards, requiring students to name who needs each item before covering a square.
Tour the schoolyard to find evidence of plant and animal needs, such as sunlight, damp soil, nests, water, or food.
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Printable S1L1.b Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to S1L1.b, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- S5L2.a
Ask questions to compare and contrast instincts and learned behaviors.
- S3L1.a
Ask questions to differentiate between plants, animals, and habitats found within Georgia's geographic regions.
- S1L1.c
Design a solution to ensure that a plant or animal has all of its needs met.
- S1L1
Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.
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