Manatees

Ages 5–10 · 12 minutes · Science

Splash over to swim with the manatees

Once thought to be mermaids, these gentle, floating, veggie-loving creatures are more than just mesmerizing swimmers. The manatee has fascinating adaptations and adorable baby calves that will make you clap your flippers in joy!

Part of

All About Animals

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Alabama

SC23.1.5 — Use information from observations to explain how various external features help living things survive, grow, and meet their needs.
SC23.2.7 — Obtain information to explain that there are many different kinds of living things that exist in habitats on land and in water.
SC23.K.4 — Use observations to determine patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive, including light, water, and nutrients.
ELA21.1.14 — Sort and categorize groups of words or pictures based on meaning, and label each category.

Alaska

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

Arizona

1.L4U1.10 — Develop a model to describe how animals and plants are classified into groups and subgroups according to their similarities.
Identify questions and make predictions based on prior experiences.
K.L1U1.6 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms use different body parts for survival.
K.L1U1.7 — Observe, ask questions and explain how specialized structures found on a variety of plants and animals (including humans) help them sense and respond to their environment.
Objects and organisms can be described in terms of their parts.

Arkansas

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.
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.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

California

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Colorado

SC.2.2.2.a — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.
LS1.C — Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms: All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
SC.2.2.2 — A range of different organisms lives in different places.
SC.K.2.1.a — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
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

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.

Delaware

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.

Florida

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.3.L.15.1 — Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.
SC.5.L.17.1 — Compare and contrast adaptations displayed by animals and plants that enable them to survive in different environments such as life cycles variations, animal behaviors and physical characteristics.
SC.K.L.14.3 — Observe plants and animals, describe how they are alike and how they are different in the way they look and in the things they do.

Georgia

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.
S5L1.a — Develop a model that illustrates how animals are sorted into groups (vertebrate and invertebrate) and how vertebrates are sorted into groups (fish, amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal) using data from multiple sources.
SKL2.a — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how animals can be grouped according to their features.

Hawaii

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.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Idaho

2-LS-2.1 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow. (K-LS-1.1)
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. (2-LS-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)
K-LS-1.1 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Use observations to describe how plants and animals are alike and different in terms of how they live and grow.

Illinois

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.
LS1.C-P1 — All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
LS4.D-P1 — There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Indiana

1.LS.3 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K.LS.2 — Describe and compare the physical features of common living plants and animals.
1.CC.4 — Ask and answer questions about key details in what is read, heard, or viewed to demonstrate comprehension. (E)
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.
K.LS.3 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Iowa

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

Kansas

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Kentucky

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.

Louisiana

K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Objects and organisms can be described in terms of their parts.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Objects and organisms can be described in terms of their parts.
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

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
DCI.LS4.D.K-2.1 — There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.
DCI.LS1.C.K-2.1 — All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
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.

Massachusetts

2-LS4-1 — Use texts, media, or local environments to observe and compare (a) different kinds of living things in an area, and (b) differences in the kinds of living things living in different types of areas.
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

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare 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.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

Minnesota

0L.1.2.1.2 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. (P: 3, CC: 1, CI: LS4)
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)
3L.4.2.1.1 — Obtain information from various types of media to support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. (P: 8, CC: 4, CI: LS1)

Mississippi

L.2.1.2 — Classify vertebrates (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles) based on their physical characteristics.
L.2.3B.1 — Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe and to compare how animals interact with other animals and plants in the environment (i.e., predatorprey relationships, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore).
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.2.1.3 — Compare and contrast physical characteristics that distinguish classes of vertebrates (i.e., reptiles compared to amphibians).
L.2.1.4 — Construct a scientific argument for classifying vertebrates that have unusual characteristics, such as bats, penguins, snakes, salamanders, dolphins, and duck-billed platypuses (i.e., bats have wings yet they are mammals).

Missouri

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
K.ESS3.A.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K.LS1.C.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Montana

2-LS4-1 — make observations of plants and animals to compare and contrast the diversity of life in different habitats.
L.K.5.a — Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

Nebraska

SC.2.7.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
SC.K.7.2.A — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Nevada

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

New Hampshire

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

New Jersey

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

New Mexico

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

New York

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

North Carolina

LS.4.1.1 — Use models to explain that plants and animals have external structures that function to support survival.
LS.K.1.2 — Use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to obtain food and other resources, protect themselves, and move from place to place.
LS.K.2 — Understand characteristics of organisms that make them alike and different.
LS.4.1 — Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations, and behaviors that enable organisms to survive in changing habitats.

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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.

Ohio

K.LS.2 — Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
1.LS.1 — Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.
1.LS.2 — Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs.
K.LS.1 — Living things have specific characteristics and traits.
L.K.5.a — Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent.

Oklahoma

Animals obtain their food from plants or from other animals. (K.LS1.1)
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. (1.LS1.1)
2.LS4.1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare 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.
K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Oregon

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.]
2.LS4.1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in each of a variety of different habitats.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific animal and plant names in specific habitats.]
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.]
4.LS1.1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. [Clarification Statement: Examples of structures could include thorns, stems, roots, colored petals, heart, stomach, lung, brain, and skin. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to macroscopic structures within plant and animal systems.]

Pennsylvania

3.1.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
3.1.K.A — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Rhode Island

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
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.

South Carolina

2-LS4-1. — Make observations of plants and animals to compare patterns of diversity within different habitats. Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in a variety of different habitats. State Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific animal and plant names in specific habitats.
2-LS4-1.DCI.D: — Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. NRC Framework Link
2-LS4-1.SEP.A: — Planning and Carrying Out Investigations Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in K-2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to simple investigations, based on fair tests, which provide data to support explanations or design solutions. Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data which can be used to make comparisons. NRC Framework Link
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.
K-LS1-1.DCI.C: — Organization for Matter and Energy Flow in Organisms All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow. NRC Framework Link
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

South Dakota

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
What is the relationship between animals and what they eat, and how does that determine where they live?
Making observations about plant and animal similarities and diversity in different habitats.
Describing similarities and differences in different organisms of the same species and different species.

Tennessee

2.LS1.2 — Obtain and communicate information to classify animals (vertebrates-mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, invertebrates-insects) based on their physical characteristics.
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.
3.LS4.2 — Infer that plant and animal adaptations help them survive in land and aquatic biomes.

Texas

1.10A — investigate how the external characteristics of an animal are related to where it lives, how it moves, and what it eats;
1.13A — identify the external structures of different animals and compare how those structures help different animals live, move, and meet basic needs for survival;
K.10A — sort plants and animals into groups based on physical characteristics such as color, size, body covering, or leaf shape;
2.10A — observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs;

Utah

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)
Students relate the shape and structure of an object or living thing to its properties and functions.
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)
Students observe patterns to organize and classify factors that influence relationships

Vermont

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Virginia

1.5.c — Animals can be classified based on a variety of characteristics.
1.1.a.i — Ask questions and make predictions based on observations.
1.5.a — Animals need air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat).
1.5.b — Animals have different physical characteristics that perform specific functions.
3.4.b — Adaptations may be behavioral or physical.

Washington

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Washington, D.C.

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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
L.K.5.a — Sort common objects into categories (e.g., shapes, foods) to gain a sense of the concepts the categories represent.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

West Virginia

ELA.1.40.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).
S.2.7 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
S.K.3 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
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.
Building and appropriately using science domain vocabulary and phrases

Wisconsin

All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
Particular organisms can only survive in particular environments.
Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
Students identify similarities and differences in order to sort and classify natural objects and designed products. They identify patterns related to time, including simple rates of change and cycles, and use these patterns to make predictions.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Wyoming

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
A range of different organisms lives in different places.
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.
All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.