South Dakota Science K-LS1-1

ScienceKindergartenLife Science

The Standard

Describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. (SEP: 4; DCI: LS1.C; CCC: Patterns)

South Dakota Science Standards (2024) · From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students look for patterns in what plants, animals, and people need to stay alive. They notice that all need water, while plants need light and animals need food.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student can match a seedling, a rabbit, and a child with what each needs. They can say that all three need water, but a rabbit eats food and a plant needs light.
Common Misconceptions: Some students say plants eat soil or need the same food people eat. Others think water alone is enough for a plant, or forget that people are animals.
How to Assess It: Give students pictures of a seedling, rabbit, and child, plus water, sunlight, and food cards. Ask them to match each living thing to its needs and circle one need all three share.

Lesson moves

Give pairs a watered seedling and a wilted seedling to compare, then ask which one appears to have had water.
Show pictures of a child, rabbit, and seedling; ask, "What do all three need, and what is different?"
Play a card match with plant, animal, water, light, and food pictures; have students explain each match.
Show a lunch tray beside a potted plant; ask who needs the sandwich, who needs light, and who needs water.

Free download

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to K-LS1-1, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.

PDF, US Letter, prints cleanly in black and white.

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