Objective
By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to identify and describe the basic needs of living things, including plants and animals, and understand how they grow and thrive in their environments.
Materials and Prep
- Paper
- Crayons or markers
- Small plants or pictures of plants (optional)
- Pictures of animals (optional)
- Access to a garden or outdoor space (if available)
Before the lesson, ensure you have a quiet space for the activities and gather any pictures or small plants if you have them. Familiarize yourself with the basic needs of living things: air, water, food, shelter, and sunlight.
Activities
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Nature Walk
Take a short walk outside to observe plants and animals. Ask the student to point out different living things and discuss what they might need to survive.
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Draw a Living Thing
Have the student draw their favorite plant or animal. Encourage them to label the drawing with what the living thing needs to survive, like water and sunlight.
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Matching Game
Create a matching game using pictures of plants and animals. The student can match each living thing with its basic needs, discussing why each need is important.
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Story Time
Read a short story about a plant or animal. Discuss how the character in the story meets its needs and the importance of each need in its life.
Talking Points
- "What do you think all living things need to survive? Let's list them together!"
- "Can you tell me why sunlight is important for plants?"
- "How do animals find food? What happens if they don't get enough?"
- "Why do you think water is essential for both plants and animals?"
- "What kind of shelter do you think different animals need?"
- "Let's think about what happens if a living thing doesn't get one of its basic needs. Can you imagine that?"