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Kindergarten Science (Next Generation Science Standards) • Earth and Human Activity

Identify the needs of a plant or animal.

All living things need certain things to grow and stay healthy.

Explore the lesson 4 min read
A microscope with leaf and experiment flask for elementary science discovery
Inside this lesson 9 sections 4 questions 5 figures

SECTION 1

Why Do We Care About Living Things?

People have always taken care of plants and animals. Long ago, people learned what living things need.

Long Ago • First Farmers

People planted seeds in dirt. They gave the plants water and watched them grow!

Later • Animal Helpers

People kept dogs, chickens, and cows. They gave them food and water every day.

Even Later • Gardens and Zoos

People built gardens and zoos. They studied what plants and animals need to stay healthy.

Today • Science Helpers

Scientists help us know exactly what every plant and animal needs. We can take great care of them!

So what do living things need? Let us find out together!

SECTION 2

What Do Living Things Need?

All living things have needs. That means things they must have to live and grow. Without these things, they cannot stay healthy.

1

Water

All plants and animals need water to live. Water keeps them healthy inside.
2

Food

Animals eat food to get energy. Plants make their own food using light!
3

Air

Plants and animals both need air. We breathe air. Plants use air too.
4

Light

Plants need light to make food. Light can come from the sun or from a lamp.
5

Shelter

Animals need a safe place to live. That is called shelter. It keeps them warm and safe.

SECTION 3

What Does a Plant Need?

Let us look at a picture of a plant. It shows everything a plant needs to grow.

LIGHT ☀️WATER 💧AIR 🌬️SOIL (Dirt) 🪴What a Plant Needs
This picture shows a plant. It needs water, light, air, and soil to grow big and tall.

The plant has roots in the dirt. The roots drink up water. The leaves use light and air to make food for the plant.

SECTION 4

What Does an Animal Need?

Animals have needs too. Animals cannot make their own food. They have to find food or people give it to them.

What an Animal Needs🍖FOOD💧WATER🌬️AIR🏠SHELTER
This picture shows a dog. It needs food, water, air, and shelter to be happy and healthy.

A dog eats food for energy. It drinks water every day. It breathes air. It sleeps in a safe shelter, that means a safe place to live.

ℹ
Fun Fact!

SECTION 5

Plants vs. Animals: Same and Different

Plants and animals both need water and air. But some of their needs are different. Let us see how!

NeedPlant 🌱Animal 🐾
WaterYes! Roots drink it up.Yes! They drink it.
AirYes! Leaves use air.Yes! They breathe air.
LightYes! They need it to make food.Not the same way. They find food to eat.
FoodThey make their own food.They eat plants or other animals.
ShelterThey stay where they grow.Yes! A nest, den, or house.

How plant and animal needs compare

See? Both need water and air. But plants need light to make food. Animals need to find or eat food that is already there.

SECTION 6

Helping a Plant: Step by Step

Let us pretend you have a new plant. How do you take care of it? Follow these steps!

Worked example

  1. 1

    Step 1 — Give It Soil

    Put your plant in a pot with dirt. The roots will grow in the soil.
    The plant has a home to grow in! ✅
  2. 2

    Step 2 — Add Water

    Pour a little water on the soil. The roots will drink it up.
    The plant has water! 💧 ✅
  3. 3

    Step 3 — Find a Bright Spot

    Put the plant near a window or a lamp. It needs light to make food.
    The plant has light! ☀️ ✅
  4. 4

    Step 4 — Let It Breathe

    The plant gets air from the room. Air is all around us.
    The plant has air! 🌬️ ✅
  5. 5

    Step 5 — Watch It Grow!

    Now your plant has everything it needs. It will grow bigger and taller!
    Your plant is happy and healthy! 🌱🎉

SECTION 7

Taking Care of Living Things at Home

You might have a pet or a plant at home. Different living things need care in different ways. Let us compare!

Living ThingHow We Help
🌻 A flower in a potGive it water and put it near light.
🐕 A pet dogGive it food, water, and a cozy bed.
🐠 A pet fishGive it food, clean water, and a tank.
🌳 A tree outsideIt gets rain, light, and air on its own!

Ways to help plants and animals

SECTION 8

What Comes Next? Growing and Changing

When plants and animals get what they need, they grow! A tiny seed becomes a big plant. A puppy becomes a grown-up dog.

What We Learn NowWhat We Learn Later
Plants and animals have needs.Plants and animals grow and change over time.
They need water, food, air, and shelter.Different amounts of each need help them in special ways.
We can help take care of them.We can learn how the world around them matters too.

Now and later

Soon you will learn about how plants and animals change as they grow. Knowing their needs is the first step!

SECTION 9

Practice Time!

Question 1: Problem 1

A puppy is thirsty. What does the puppy need?
  • A. A toy
  • B. Water
  • C. A blanket
Show answer
The answer is B. When a puppy is thirsty, it needs water. Water is something all animals need to live and stay healthy.

Question 2: Problem 2

A sunflower is planted in a dark closet. It is not growing well. What does the sunflower need?
  • A. More dirt
  • B. A bigger pot
  • C. Light
Show answer
The answer is C. The sunflower needs light. Plants need light to grow and be healthy. A dark closet does not give the plant the light it needs.

Question 3: Problem 3

A pet fish lives in a tank. Which of these does the fish need to live?
  • A. Clean water
  • B. A hat
  • C. A leash
Show answer
The answer is A. Fish need clean water to live and breathe. Clean water is very important for keeping a pet fish healthy.

Question 4: Problem 4

A rabbit lives outside. It needs food, water, and air. What else does the rabbit need to stay safe from rain and wind?
  • A. A song
  • B. Shelter
  • C. More food
  • D. Light
Show answer
The answer is B. The rabbit needs shelter. Shelter is a safe place that protects animals from rain, wind, and other weather. Animals need food, water, air, and shelter to live.

Varsity Tutors • Kindergarten Science (Next Generation Science Standards) • Identify the needs of a plant or animal.