Desert Habitats

Ages 5–8 · 10 minutes · Science, Geography

Set off for the desert to see how plants and animals find water

Water is scarce in the desert, so students join Jayda and Murphy to find out how plants and animals survive. They’ll use their observation skills to investigate cacti, burrowing owls, and more, before returning home to see how people can learn from desert adaptations.

No specific background required.

Part of

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.

Alabama

SC23.1.5 — Use information from observations to explain how various external features help living things survive, grow, and meet their needs.
SC23.K.4 — Use observations to determine patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive, including light, water, and nutrients.
SC23.K.5 — Gather information from observations and media to explain how plants and animals can provide for their needs by changing their environment.
SC23.K.7 — Make observations and describe the effects of sunlight on Earth’s surface.

Alaska

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.

Arizona

K.L1U1.6 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms use different body parts for survival.
Ask questions based on observations of the natural and/or designed world
Use observations to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed worlds in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems. Make measurements of length to quantify data.
2.L2U1.9 — Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence that organisms need a source of energy, air, water, and certain temperature conditions to survive.

Arkansas

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.

California

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.

Colorado

SC.K.2.1.a — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
SC.K.3.2 — Plants and animals meet their needs in their habitats and impact one another; people can prepare for severe weather.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions.
LS1.A — Structure and Function: All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place and seek, find and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive, grow and produce more plants.
LS2.A — Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: Animals depend on their surroundings to get what they need, including food, water, shelter and a favorable temperature. Animals depend on plants or other animals for food. They use their senses to find food and water, and they use their body parts to gather, catch, eat and chew the food. Plants depend on air, water, minerals (in the soil) and light to grow. Animals can move around, but plants cannot, and they often depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. Different plants survive better in different settings because they have varied needs for water, minerals and sunlight.

Connecticut

Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.

Delaware

Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.

Florida

SC.1.L.14.1 — Make observations of living things and their environment using the five senses.
SC.1.L.17.1 — Through observation, recognize that all plants and animals, including humans, need the basic necessities of air, water, food, and space.
SC.1.N.1.2 — Using the five senses as tools, make careful observations, describe objects in terms of number, shape, texture, size, weight, color, and motion, and compare their observations with others.
SC.2.L.17.2 — Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.
SC.2.N.1.1 — Raise questions about the natural world, investigate them in teams through free exploration and systematic observations, and generate appropriate explanations based on those explorations.

Georgia

S1L1.b — Ask questions to compare and contrast the basic needs of plants (air, water, light, and nutrients) and animals (air, water, food, and shelter).
S3L1.b — Construct an explanation of how external features and adaptations (camouflage, hibernation, migration, mimicry) of animals allow them to survive in their habitat.
S3L1.c — Use evidence to construct an explanation of why some organisms can thrive in one habitat and not in another.
SS1G3.c — Identify and describe landforms (mountains, deserts, valleys, and coasts).

Hawaii

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.

Idaho

K-ESS-1.2 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: With guidance and support, use evidence to construct an explanation of how plants and animals interact with their environment to meet their needs.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land. They live in places that have the things they need. (K-ESS-2.1)
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see; hear; grasp objects; protect themselves; move from place to place; and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow. (1-LS-1.1)
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs. (1-LS-1.1)
K-ESS-2.1 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals and the places they live.

Illinois

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
ESS3.A-P1 — Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
INV-P4 — Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.
INV-P6 — Make predictions based on prior experiences.
LS1.A-P1 — All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.

Indiana

1.LS.2 — Develop a model mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Explore how those external parts could solve a human problem.
K.LS.3 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
2.LS.3 — Classify living organisms according to variations in specific physical features (i.e., body coverings, appendages) and describe how those features may provide an advantage for survival in different environments.
SEPS.3 — Constructing and performing investigations

Iowa

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.

Kansas

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.

Kentucky

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Louisiana

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-ESS2-2 — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.

Maine

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Maryland

DCI.ESS3.A.K-2.1 — Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
DCI.LS1.A.K-2.1 — All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
DCI.LS1.D.K-2.1 — Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
SEP.3.K-2.6 — Make predictions based on prior experiences.
SEP.4.K-2.3 — Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Massachusetts

2-LS2-3(MA) — Develop and use models to compare how plants and animals depend on their surroundings and other living things to meet their needs in the places they live.
1-LS1-1 — Use evidence to explain that (a) different animals use their body parts and senses in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air, and (b) plants have roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits that are used to take in water, air, and other nutrients, and produce food for the plant.
K-LS1-1 — Observe and communicate that animals (including humans) and plants need food, water, and air to survive. Animals get food from plants or other animals. Plants make their own food and need light to live and grow.

Michigan

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
1-LS1-1 — Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Minnesota

0L.2.1.1.3 — Record and use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. (P: 4, CC: 1, CI: LS1)
1L.3.1.1.1 — Develop a simple model based on evidence to represent how plants or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. (P: 2, CC: 6, CI: LS1)
3L.4.1.1.1 — Construct an argument about strategies animals use to survive. (P: 7, CC: 2, CI: LS2)
1L.3.2.2.2 — Plan and design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.* (P: 6, CC: 6, CI: LS1, ETS2)

Mississippi

L.2.4.1 — Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe how plants and animals use adaptations to survive (e.g., ducks use webbed feet to swim in lakes and ponds, cacti have waxy coatings and spines to grow in the desert) in distinct environments (e.g., polar lands, saltwater and freshwater, desert, rainforest, woodlands).
L.1.4.2 — Describe how the different characteristics of plants help them to survive in distinct environments (e.g., rain forest, desert, grasslands, forests).
L.2.4.2 — Create a solution exemplified by animal adaptations to solve a human problem in a specific environment (e.g., snowshoes are like hare’s feet or flippers are like duck's feet). Use an engineering design process to define the problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve the solution.*

Missouri

Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K.LS1.C.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.

Montana

K-LS1-1 — use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals, including humans, need to survive.
planning and carrying out investigations
2-LS4-1 — make observations of plants and animals to compare and contrast the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals, including humans, and the places they live;

Nebraska

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
SC.K.7.2.A — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.

Nevada

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

New Hampshire

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
SS.GE.2.3.2 — Explore the components and distribution of ecosystems, e.g., desert or rain forest. (Themes: C: People, Places and Environment)

New Jersey

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

New Mexico

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.

New York

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.

North Carolina

LS.3.2 — Understand how plant structures aid in survival.
LS.3.2.1 — Carry out investigations to explain the structures and functions of plants and how they are essential for life.
LS.4.1 — Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations, and behaviors that enable organisms to survive in changing habitats.
LS.3.3 — Understand how environmental factors aid in the survival of plants.

North Dakota

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
1-LS1-1 — Construct an evidence-based argument with the use of a drawing or a model that illustrates how structures of plants or animals help them survive in their habitat.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Describe patterns, through observation, of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Ohio

1.LS.1 — Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.
3.LS.2 — Individuals of the same kind of organism differ in their inherited traits. These differences give some individuals an advantage in surviving and/or reproducing.
K.LS.2 — Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
1.LS.2 — Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs.
2.ESS.2 — Water is present in the atmosphere.

Oklahoma

K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. (K.ESS3.1)
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems (K.LS1.1, K.ESS2.1, 1.ESS1.1)
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Make observations (first hand or from media) and/or measurements to collect data that can be used to make comparisons. (K.PS3.1, 1.ESS1.2, 2.LS4.1)

Oregon

K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. [Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food but plants do not; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and, that all living things need water.][assessment boundary: assessment is limited to patterns of light, food, or water as sources of matter and energy needed for growth. the process of photosynthesis is beyond the standard at this grade level.]
K.ESS2.2 — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs. [Clarification Statement: Examples of plants and animals changing their environment could include a squirrel digs in the ground to hide its food and tree roots can break concrete.][assessment boundary: assessment is limited to a single example of a plant or animal per item or task.]
K.ESS3.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live. [Clarification Statement: Examples of relationships could include that deer eat buds and leaves, therefore, they usually live in forested areas; and, grasses need sunlight so they often grow in meadows. Plants, animals, and their surroundings make up a system.][assessment boundary: modeling is limited to describing the relationship and does not include patterns of structure and function to show how needs are met. impact on the environment is beyond the standard.]
1.LS1.1 — Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.\ [Clarification Statement: Examples of human problems that can be solved by mimicking plant or animal solutions could include designing clothing or equipment to protect bicyclists by mimicking turtle shells, acorn shells, and animal scales; stabilizing structures by mimicking animal tails and roots on plants; keeping out intruders by mimicking thorns on branches and animal quills; and, detecting intruders by mimicking eyes and ears.][assessment boundary: assessment is limited to external structures and their function.]

Pennsylvania

Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
3.1.K.A — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

Rhode Island

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.

South Carolina

K-LS1-1. — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food, but plants make food; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and that all living things need water. Patterns could be described using multiple modes of representation.
1-LS1-1.DCI.A: — Structure and Function All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow. NRC Framework Link
K-ESS3-1.DCI.A: — Natural Resources Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do. NRC Framework Link
K-LS1-1.SEP.A: — Analyzing and Interpreting Data Analyzing data in K-2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to collecting, recording, and sharing observations. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns in the natural world in order to answer scientific questions. NRC Framework Link
K-ESS2-2. — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs. Clarification Statement: Examples of plants and animals changing their environment could include beavers building dams, a squirrel digging in the ground to hide its food, and tree roots breaking concrete. Humans have developed means to heat and/or cool our homes and vehicles to protect ourselves from the elements.

South Dakota

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
K-LS1-1 — Describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS2-2 — Engage in argument from evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.
1-LS1-1 — Design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs.*

Tennessee

2.LS1.1 — Use evidence and observations to explain that many animals use their body parts and senses in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air.
1.ETS2.1 — Use appropriate tools (magnifying glass, basic balance scale) to make observations and answer testable scientific questions.
2.LS2.1 — Develop and use models to compare how animals depend on their surroundings and other living things to meet their needs in the places they live.
K.ESS3.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the basic needs (shelter, food, water) of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
1.ETS1.1 — Solve scientific problems by asking testable questions, making short-term and long-term observations, and gathering information.

Texas

2.10A — observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs;
2.10B — observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics of plants help them meet their basic needs such as stems carry water throughout the plant; and
2.13B — record and compare how the structures and behaviors of animals help them find and take in food, water, and air;
1.10A — investigate how the external characteristics of an animal are related to where it lives, how it moves, and what it eats;
2.12A — describe how the physical characteristics of environments, including the amount of rainfall, support plants and animals within an ecosystem;

Utah

1.2.2 — Construct an explanation by observing patterns of external features of living things that survive in different locations. Emphasize how plants and nonhuman animals, found in specific surroundings, share similar physical characteristics. Examples could include that plants living in dry areas are more likely to have thick outer coatings that hold in water, animals living in cold locations have longer and thicker fur, or most desert animals are awake at night. (LS1.A, LS1.D)
2.2.1 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about patterns of living things (plants and animals, including humans) in different habitats. Emphasize the diversity of living things in land and water habitats. Examples of *patterns*in habitats could include descriptions of temperature or precipitation and the types of plants and animals found in land habitats. (LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D)
2.2.2 — Plan and carry out an investigation of the structure and function of plant and animal parts in different habitats. Emphasize how different plants and animals have different structures to survive in their habitat. Examples could include the shallow roots of a cactus in the desert or the seasonal changes in the fur coat of a wolf. (LS1.A, LS4.A, LS4.D)
K.2.2 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about patterns in the relationships between the needs of different living things (plants and animals, including humans) and the places they live. Emphasize that living things need water, air, and resources and that they live in places that have the things they need. Examples could include investigating plants grown in various locations and comparing the results or comparing animals with the places they live. (LS2.A, LS2.B, ESS3.A)

Vermont

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Animals have body parts that capture and convey different kinds of information needed for growth and survival. Animals respond to these inputs with behaviors that help them survive. Plants also respond to some external inputs.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.

Virginia

1.4.b — Structures of plants perform specific functions.
3.4.b — Adaptations may be behavioral or physical.
K.1.a.iii — Make predictions based on observations.
K.1.b.i — Make observations to collect data.
1.5.a — Animals need air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat).
K.7.a — Living things need adequate food, water, shelter, air, and space to survive.

Washington

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.

Washington, D.C.

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K-ESS2-2 — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

West Virginia

S.K.3 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Building and appropriately using science domain vocabulary and phrases
Investigating and explaining cause and effect
Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzingandinterpretingdata Usingmathematical and computational thinking
Determining the relationships between structure and function
S.K.5 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Wisconsin

Animals sense and communicate information and respond to inputs with behaviors that help them grow and survive.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
Students observe the shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s).
Students collect, record, and share observations. This includes the following: Record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas). Use and share pictures, drawings, or writings of observations. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns or relationships in the natural and designed worlds in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems. Compare predictions (based on prior experiences) to what occurred (observable events). Analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if the object or tool works as intended.

Wyoming

Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns and/or relationships in the natural and designed world(s) in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems.
Living things need water, air, and resources from the land, and they live in places that have the things they need. Humans use natural resources for everything they do.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Make predictions based on prior experiences.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.