LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

About this resource

Appropriate grades
K–2
Provider
American Association for the Advancement of Science

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This lesson from Science NetLinks exposes children to a wide range of animals and guides them through observation of animal similarities, differences, and environmental adaptations. This lesson can be used as part of a study of plants and animals. Before doing the lesson, students should know the meanings of the terms: plant, animal, and living. Because this lesson includes only online observations, students will also need ongoing opportunities for hands-on observation.

North Carolina Curriculum Alignment

Science (2005)

Grade 1

  • Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and make observations to build an understanding of the needs of living organisms.
    • Objective 1.02: Investigate the needs of a variety of different animals:
      • Air.
      • Water.
      • Food.
      • Shelter.
      • Space.
    • Objective 1.05: Discuss the wide variety of living things on Earth.

Grade 2

  • Goal 1: The learner will conduct investigations and build an understanding of animal life cycles.
    • Objective 1.01: Describe the life cycle of animals including:
      • Birth.
      • Developing into an adult.
      • Reproducing.
      • Aging and death.

Kindergarten

  • Goal 1: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of similarities and differences in animals.
    • Objective 1.01: Observe and describe the similarities and differences among animals including:
      • Structure.
      • Growth.
      • Changes.
      • Movement.
    • Objective 1.02: Observe how animals interact with their surroundings.
    • Objective 1.03: Observe the behaviors of several common animals.