1st Grade

Unit 1 - Plant & Animal Parts

How Are Plants and Animals Like Others of the Same Kind?
Students go on a “trip” to a zoo. They see and describe many different animals. They act out these animals. Then they sort animals by kind.
Reading Further: Munchy, Crunchy Apples

How Are Plants and Animals Like Their Parents?
Students play a series of games to practice matching parents to their offspring. Then they watch videos of young plants and animals and predict what the offspring will look like when they become adults.
Reading Further: A Pattern of Spots

What Different Parts Do Plants Have?
Students grow plants. They observe their roots, stems, and leaves. They use what they have learned about plant parts to design a tower that can stand up.
Reading Further: A Plant Trap

What Different Parts Do Animals Have?
Students play a game to identify different animal parts. They use what they know about animal parts to design a glove that will keep their hands warm.
Reading Further: The Shape of a Beak

How Do Plants and Animals Sense Things?
Students compare human and animal senses. First, they experience a picture or an event as a person. Then they experience how an animal would sense the same thing.
Reading Further: Eagle Eyes

How Do Plants and Animals Take in Water, Food, Air, and Light?
Students watch videos of animals meeting their needs. They discuss the parts the animals are using to meet their needs. Then they find out some ways that engineers mimic animal parts.
Reading Further: Dinnertime for Snakes

How Do Plants and Animals Stay Safe?
Students observe live hermit crabs. They identify the different parts of hermit crabs and discover ways they keep safe.
Reading Further: The Shark and the Octopus

How Do Young Plants and Animals Stay Safe?
Students act as scientists viewing animal parents and their young in the wild. They look for ways parents take care of their young. They create a book that shows how animal parents take care of their young.
Reading Further: Penguin Parents