LEARN NC

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

Science — Kindergarten

Goal 1: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of similarities and differences in animals.

Objective 1.05. Observe the similarities of humans to other animals including:

  • Basic needs.
  • Growth and change.
  • Movement.

Additional related resources

We’re in the process of aligning our content for students to the Standard Course of Study. As we do, you’ll find it here.

General resources

Aligned lesson plans

Plants and animals: Introduction to the unknown
This is an introductory lesson to assist students in understanding where their food comes from and what is available in this area. It is also a wonderful way to continue with inventive spelling.
Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts and Science)
By Sheila Moody.
MaraLIMAthon
Kindergarten students will work with an older grade buddy (we worked with 1st grade students) to make predictions, and then over a two-week period, see changes in lima bean growth, and be able to document the lima bean's progress. The buddies will work together to create an illustrated short story about lima bean characters that they create.
Format: lesson plan (grade K English Language Arts, Mathematics, and Science)
By Kristi Waddle.
Bats
The students will learn that bats are nocturnal and use echolocation.
Format: lesson plan (grade K Science)
By Debbie Lanier.

Resources on the web

Taking care of a baby
Students learn about prenatal growth, the birthing process, and infancy. They think about infants' basic needs and the critical role adults play in ensuring a baby's healthy physical, emotional, and cognitive development. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Frog alert! Frog alert!
In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about the ways National Geographic Emerging Explorer Tyrone Hayes uses a combination of laboratory and field study to learn about changes in frogs' appearances as they relate to chemical contamination of water habitats. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K and 2 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Dinosaur bodies
This lesson, from Xpeditions, asks students to think about the ways in which living animals use their bodies and the ways in which dinosaurs might have used their bodies, based on fossil evidence and our best educated guesses. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Crane cam!
Students learn about cranes and their migratory patterns, including the ways in which they use the land area in and around a sanctuary. Students discuss the importance of preserving habitats like these for a variety of animals. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science)
Provided by: National Geographic
Changing cicada
Using an interactive slide show, this lesson provides students with an opportunity to consider the concept of heredity in the context of the periodical cicadas. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Butterfly 2: A butterfly's home
The purpose of this lesson is to explore different butterfly habitats. Students should explore how various organisms satisfy their needs in the environments in which they are typically found. They can examine the survival needs of different organisms and... (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science)
Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science
Bipedalism--Did Hominids Ride Bikes?
Students are introduced to the complexities of paleoanthropology. (Learn more)
Format: lesson plan (grade K–2 Science and Social Studies)
Provided by: National Geographic