Sloths

Ages 5–10 · 11 minutes · Science

Hang out with sloths!

Sloths are slower than you might think! Students will learn about the sloth's diet, habitat and adaptations in this enriching animal lesson.

Part of

All About Animals

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

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-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.

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.
SC23.1.6 — Obtain information from text and other media to provide evidence that parents and their offspring engage in patterns of behavior that help the offspring survive.

Alaska

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-ESS3-1 — 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.
RI.K.9 — With prompting and support, identify basic similarities in and differences between information presented in two texts on the same topic (e.g., compare two photos or diagrams, compare two animal babies).

Arizona

Identify questions and make predictions based on prior experiences.
1.L4U1.10 — Develop a model to describe how animals and plants are classified into groups and subgroups according to their similarities.
K.L1U1.6 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms use different body parts for survival.
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.
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.
2.RC.4.RF — Build general and academic vocabulary and background knowledge of age and grade-appropriate topics through discussion, reading, and writing.

California

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-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Colorado

SC.K.3.2.a — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Connecticut

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-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-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
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).

Delaware

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

Florida

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.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.
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.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.

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.
SKL2.a — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how animals can be grouped according to their features.
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.
S3L1.c — Use evidence to construct an explanation of why some organisms can thrive in one habitat and not in another.

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.
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-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-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Idaho

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.
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)
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-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.
Populations of animals are classified by their characteristics. (5-LS-2.2)

Illinois

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.
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.
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.
LS1.B-P1 — Adult plants and animals can have young. In many kinds of animals, parents and the offspring themselves engage in behaviors that help the offspring to survive.

Indiana

K.LS.2 — Describe and compare the physical features of common living plants and animals.
1.LS.3 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
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.
1.LS.4 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Iowa

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-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-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.

Kansas

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.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
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-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Kentucky

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-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).

Louisiana

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.
Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
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

Make observations (firsthand or from media) to collect data that can be used to make comparisons.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
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.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.
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.
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.
DCI.LS1.B.K-2.1 — Adult plants and animals can have young. In many kinds of animals, parents and the offspring themselves engage in behaviors that help the offspring to survive.

Massachusetts

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.
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.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that animals and plants have internal and external structures that support their survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

Michigan

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
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.

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)
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)
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)

Mississippi

L.2.1.2 — Classify vertebrates (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles) based on their physical characteristics.
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.2.3B.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.K.1B.1 — Develop and use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to (a) obtain food and other resources, (b) protect themselves, and (c) move from place to place.

Missouri

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.
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;
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

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.2.7.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SC.K.7.2.A — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Nevada

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-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 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.

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-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-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
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

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-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-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
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).

New Mexico

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-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 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.
Adult plants and animals can have young. In many kinds of animals, parents and the offspring themselves engage in behaviors that help the offspring 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.
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. 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.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

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.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.

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.
K-ESS3-1 — Represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live using a model.

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)
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.
PK.S.3 — Notice and describe similarities and differences among plants, animals, and objects. Clarification Statement: Similarities and differences might include grouping like plants, animals, or objects based on observations. Descriptions of groupings might be based on how plants, animals, or objects look, feel, or smell.
K.7.R — Students will explore ideas and topics in multimodal content.

Oregon

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.]
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.]
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.]
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.]

Pennsylvania

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.
3.3.K.C — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
3.1.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Rhode Island

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-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.

South Carolina

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, humans use soil and water to grow food, and grasses need sunlight so they often grow in meadows. Plants, animals, and their surroundings make up a system. State Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific habitats or biomes.
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-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
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
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.

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?
Describing similarities and differences in different organisms of the same species and different species.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

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.
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.

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;
2.10A — observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs;
3.13A — explore and explain how external structures and functions of animals such as the neck of a giraffe or webbed feet on a duck enable them to survive in their environment; and
K.10A — sort plants and animals into groups based on physical characteristics such as color, size, body covering, or leaf shape;

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.
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)
2.2.2 — 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)

Vermont

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

Virginia

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

Washington

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-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.

Washington, D.C.

Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.
4-LS1-1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
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-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

West Virginia

Building and appropriately using science domain vocabulary and phrases
S.2.7 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
S.4.8 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
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 obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
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.
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.
Particular organisms can only survive in particular environments.

Wyoming

All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
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.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.