Teachers! Here are the Standards of Learning for the Unit on this site, as well as some other information for educators.
Science Standards of Learning for Virginia
First Grade
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.
Teachers Notes and Background Information:
Information from the Curriculum Framework for 1.4 and 1.5
1.4 Plants have basic needs, including nutrients, air, water, light, and a place with sufficient space to grow.
Plants have different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.
The functions of plant parts include the roots which hold plants in place and absorb water, seeds which make new plants, leaves which make food for the plant, and stems which hold the plants upright and transport materials up and down the plant.
Plants can be categorized by their different characteristics, such as edible/nonedible, flowering/nonflowering, and evergreen/deciduous. Students do not need to know the terms nonedible, edible, evergreen, and deciduous. The focus should be on the concept, not the terminology.
1.5 Animals, including people, have basic life needs, including air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat). Students do not need to know the term habitat. The focus should be on the items that are necessary components of a habitat, not on the terminology.
Body coverings include hair, fur, feathers, scales, and shells.
Appendages are parts, such as arms, legs, wings, fins, and tails, which extend from the main body and have specific functions. Students do not need to know the term appendage. The focus should be on the concept, not the terminology.
Methods of movement may include walking, crawling, flying, and swimming.
Simple ways to classify animals are whether they are wild or domestic and whether they live on land or in water.
Vocabulary:
Basic definitions are below, but you can click on any term to go to a full dictionary definition.
Basic Background
plant - multicellular organisms that typically produce their own food from inorganic matter.
animal - multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily and actively acquire food.
Day One
need - something required for a living thing to remain alive.
want - something desired but not necessary for survival.
nutrient - any of the mineral substances that are absorbed by the roots ofplants for nourishment.
Day Three
root - a part of the body of a plant that grows downward into the soil, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutriment and moisture.
stem - the main body portion of a tree, shrub, or other plant which is above ground.
leaf - one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant.
flower - the blossom of a plant.
fruit - the edible part of a plant developed from a flower
seed - any propagative part of a plant
Day Four
edible - fit to be eaten as food
Day Five
flowering - bearing flowers
evergreen - having green leaves throughout the entire year.
deciduous - shedding the leaves annually.
Day Six
shelter - a dwelling place or home considered as a refuge from the elements
Day Eight
characteristic - a distinguishing feature or quality
Science Standards of Learning for Virginia
First Grade
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.
Teachers Notes and Background Information:
Information from the Curriculum Framework for 1.4 and 1.5
1.4 Plants have basic needs, including nutrients, air, water, light, and a place with sufficient space to grow.
Plants have different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.
The functions of plant parts include the roots which hold plants in place and absorb water, seeds which make new plants, leaves which make food for the plant, and stems which hold the plants upright and transport materials up and down the plant.
Plants can be categorized by their different characteristics, such as edible/nonedible, flowering/nonflowering, and evergreen/deciduous. Students do not need to know the terms nonedible, edible, evergreen, and deciduous. The focus should be on the concept, not the terminology.
1.5 Animals, including people, have basic life needs, including air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat). Students do not need to know the term habitat. The focus should be on the items that are necessary components of a habitat, not on the terminology.
Body coverings include hair, fur, feathers, scales, and shells.
Appendages are parts, such as arms, legs, wings, fins, and tails, which extend from the main body and have specific functions. Students do not need to know the term appendage. The focus should be on the concept, not the terminology.
Methods of movement may include walking, crawling, flying, and swimming.
Simple ways to classify animals are whether they are wild or domestic and whether they live on land or in water.
Vocabulary:
Basic definitions are below, but you can click on any term to go to a full dictionary definition.
Basic Background
plant - multicellular organisms that typically produce their own food from inorganic matter.
animal - multicellular organisms that have a well-defined shape and usually limited growth, can move voluntarily and actively acquire food.
Day One
need - something required for a living thing to remain alive.
want - something desired but not necessary for survival.
nutrient - any of the mineral substances that are absorbed by the roots ofplants for nourishment.
Day Three
root - a part of the body of a plant that grows downward into the soil, anchoring the plant and absorbing nutriment and moisture.
stem - the main body portion of a tree, shrub, or other plant which is above ground.
leaf - one of the expanded, usually green organs borne by the stem of a plant.
flower - the blossom of a plant.
fruit - the edible part of a plant developed from a flower
seed - any propagative part of a plant
Day Four
edible - fit to be eaten as food
Day Five
flowering - bearing flowers
evergreen - having green leaves throughout the entire year.
deciduous - shedding the leaves annually.
Day Six
shelter - a dwelling place or home considered as a refuge from the elements
Day Eight
characteristic - a distinguishing feature or quality