Unit Plan 14 (Grade 2 Science): Local Plant & Animal Life

Focus: Observe local plants and animals in and around the schoolyard to compare the diversity of life in different micro-habitats (e.g., grass, trees, pavement, garden).

Grade Level: 2

Subject Area: Science (Life Science • Inquiry & Observation Skills)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 30–45 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students become nature observers and explore the plants and animals that live around their school. They learn that even in a small area there can be many different kinds of living things, and that these living things may change depending on the habitat—for example, the garden, a grassy field, a tree area, or a paved sidewalk.

Using simple schoolyard walks, tally charts, and drawings, students collect data about what they see in each spot. They then compare which habitats have more kinds of plants and animals and think about why. By the end of the week, students can explain that different habitats can support different levels of diversity, directly addressing 2-LS4-1.

Essential Questions

• What kinds of plants and animals live around our school?
• How are different schoolyard habitats (like grass, trees, and pavement) the same or different?
• What does diversity of life mean, and how can we tell which place has more kinds of living things?
• Why is it important to observe and care for the living things in our local habitats?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Make careful observations of plants and animals in and around the schoolyard.
2. Identify and name or describe different kinds of living things in at least two local habitats (e.g., grassy area vs. paved area).
3. Use tally marks, pictures, or simple charts to record what they find in each habitat.
4. Compare which habitats have more or fewer kinds of plants and animals (diversity).
5. Use drawings and simple writing to explain how two habitats are different in the kinds of life that live there.
6. Share one idea for how students can help take care of local plants and animals.

Standards Alignment — 2nd Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

• 2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
  • In this unit, “different habitats” are local schoolyard micro-habitats (e.g., garden, grass, trees, pavement).

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can observe and name or describe the plants and animals I see around our school.
• I can tell how two schoolyard habitats are different in the kinds of living things that live there.
• I can use tallies, pictures, or charts to show what I found in each habitat.
• I can say which place has more kinds of life and explain why I think that.
• I can share one way we can take care of the plants and animals in our schoolyard.