Unit Plan 14 (Grade K Science): Animal Needs & Behaviors

Focus: Explore patterns in how animals meet their needs for food, water, air, shelter, and space by observing behaviors like foraging, nesting, hiding, and grouping.

Grade Level: K

Subject Area: Science (Life Science • Observation/Inquiry)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students build on their understanding that all living things have needs by focusing specifically on animals and the behaviors they use to survive. Through pictures, short videos, classroom “animal stations,” and simple role-play, students identify patterns: animals search for food, find water, use shelter, and need space to live safely. Students end the week by creating an Animal Needs & Behaviors Poster that explains one animal’s needs and the behaviors that help it survive.

Essential Questions

• What do animals need to survive?
• What behaviors help animals get food, water, and shelter?
• What patterns can we notice across many animals (even animals that live in different places)?
• How do observations (pictures, videos, real-life watching) help us learn about animals?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Identify and name the basic needs of animals: food, water, air, shelter, and space.
2. Use observations (photos/videos/classroom evidence) to describe patterns in animal needs (e.g., all animals need food and water).
3. Describe how specific animal behaviors help them meet needs (e.g., birds build nests for shelter; squirrels store food).
4. Sort animal examples into “needs” categories and explain their thinking using simple evidence (“I saw…” / “The video showed…”).
5. Create an Animal Needs & Behaviors Poster that shows one animal’s needs and at least three behaviors that help it survive.

Standards Alignment — Kindergarten (NGSS-Aligned)

• K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
  • Example: Observe animals in media and describe how they get food, water, and shelter.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can tell what animals need to survive: food, water, air, shelter, and space.
• I can explain a behavior an animal uses to meet a need (like finding food or building a home).
• I can use observations to say, “I noticed a pattern that animals…”
• I can make a poster that clearly shows an animal’s needs and behaviors with labels and pictures.