Standards of Learning
1.4
The student will investigate and understand that plants have basic life needs and functional parts and can be classified according to certain characteristics. Key concepts include
a) plants need nutrients, air, water, light, and a place to grow;
b) basic parts of plants; and
c) plants can be classified based on a variety of characteristics.
1.5
The student will investigate and understand that animals, including humans, have basic needs and certain distinguishing characteristics. Key concepts include
a) basic needs include adequate air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat);
b) animals, including humans, have many different physical characteristics; and
c) animals can be classified according to a variety of characteristics.
The student will investigate and understand that plants have basic life needs and functional parts and can be classified according to certain characteristics. Key concepts include
a) plants need nutrients, air, water, light, and a place to grow;
b) basic parts of plants; and
c) plants can be classified based on a variety of characteristics.
1.5
The student will investigate and understand that animals, including humans, have basic needs and certain distinguishing characteristics. Key concepts include
a) basic needs include adequate air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat);
b) animals, including humans, have many different physical characteristics; and
c) animals can be classified according to a variety of characteristics.
Background Information
The purpose of the Life Processes unit is to teach students about the the basic needs and characteristics of both plants and animals. In this unit, children will explore the idea that plants and animals have basic survival needs, and that those needs ultimately determine their structure or characteristics, the environment they live in, and life progress.
Vocabulary
**** These are terms that will be introduced during the Life Processes unit. Although they are going to be used, students will not be held responsible for being able to define them. At this point, students will only be held responsible for understanding and being able to describe the concept of these terms.
- Edible: any substance that can be used as food
- Nonedible/ Inedible: unfit to be eaten; not edible.
- Evergreen: a plant having foliage (clusters of leaves, flowers, and branches) that persists and remains green throughout the year
- Deciduous: Trees or bushes that shed foliage at the end of the growing season
- Seed: the source of development or growth of a flower or a plant
- Root: the underground part of a seed that facilitates absorption, aeration, and food storage or as a means of anchorage and support
- Stem: a plant part (as a branch, petiole, or stipe) that supports another (as a leaf or fruit)
- Domestic Animal: an animal that lives near or about human habitations (such as a dog, sheep,horse, etc.)
- Wild Animal: animals living in a natural, undomesticated state
- Appendages: usually a projecting part of an animal body (such as legs, arms, feet, etc.)
- Body coverings: any covering for the body or a body part (such as fur, feathers, scales, etc.)