Objective

By the end of this lesson, Dalton will be able to identify and explain the basic needs of living things, including plants and animals, and understand how they grow and survive in their environments.

Materials and Prep

• Paper
• Crayons or markers
• Small plants or pictures of animals (you can draw them!)
• A notebook for observations

Before the lesson, make sure to find a small plant or gather pictures of different animals that Dalton can observe. Prepare a comfortable space for drawing and writing.

Activities

• Plant Observation: Dalton will spend some time observing a small plant. He will look at its leaves, stem, and soil. Then, he will draw the plant and label its parts (like roots, stem, and leaves).

• Animal Needs: Dalton will choose an animal (real or drawn) and list what it needs to live (food, water, shelter). He can draw a picture of the animal in its habitat.

• Nature Walk: If possible, take a short walk outside to look for plants and animals. Dalton can write down or draw what he sees and talk about how those living things meet their needs.

Talking Points

• "What do you think plants need to grow? Yes! They need sunlight, water, and soil!"
• "Can you tell me what animals need to stay alive? That's right! They need food, water, and a place to live!"
• "Why do you think roots are important for a plant? Great! Roots help the plant drink water and stay in the ground!"
• "What do you see around us on our nature walk? Look at all the different plants and animals! What do you think they need?"
• "How do you think animals find food and water? Yes! They often have to search for it in their environment!"
• "What is your favorite plant or animal? How do you think it survives? Let's draw it and share!"