Living Things Research Lab ✨ cross-curricular
Teacher: TeacherAI | Grade: K | Subject: Reading/ELA, Science, Technology | Duration: 60 minutes
📝 Description: Students use books and tablets to research what plants, animals, and humans need to survive, then record discoveries together.
Standards
- K.W.7 (Participate in shared research and writing projects)
- K.W.8 (With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources)
- K-LS1-1 (Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive)
- K-ESS3-1 (Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live)
- TECH.K.3.a (With help, use technology to find information about a topic)
- TECH.K.3.d (Use technology to explore topics of personal interest)
Learning Objectives
Students will be able to:
- Identify what plants need to survive (water, sunlight, air, soil)
- Name what animals need to live (food, water, air, shelter)
- List what humans need to stay healthy (food, water, air, shelter, sleep)
- Use books and tablets to find information about living things
- Draw and label pictures showing needs of living things
- Share research findings with classmates using complete sentences
Supplies Needed
- Tablets or Chromebooks
- Chart paper
- Crayons and markers
- White paper
- Age-appropriate books about plants, animals, and human needs
Lesson Structure
Opening (5 minutes)
Gather students on the carpet. Hold up a plant and ask: "What do you think this plant needs to stay alive and grow?" Record 2-3 student responses on chart paper. Explain: "Today we're going to be researchers! We'll use books and tablets to discover what plants, animals, and people need to live."
Main Activity (50 minutes)
Step-by-step instructions:
- Create research groups (5 minutes): Divide class into three teams: Plant Team, Animal Team, and Human Team. Give each team a section of chart paper labeled with their topic. Explain that each team will become experts on what their living thing needs.
- Book research time (15 minutes): Distribute books to each team based on their topic. Model how to look at pictures and simple text for information. Walk between groups, reading aloud key information and helping students identify needs. Have teams draw or write discoveries on their chart paper.
- Tablet research time (15 minutes): Help each team access age-appropriate websites or educational apps about their topic (PBS Kids, National Geographic Kids). Guide students to look for pictures and simple videos. Continue adding discoveries to chart papers with drawings and simple words.
- Chart completion (10 minutes): Help each team organize their findings. Plant Team should have: water, sunlight, air, good soil. Animal Team should have: food, water, air, shelter. Human Team should have: food, water, air, shelter, sleep, exercise.
- Team presentations (5 minutes): Each team presents their chart to the class. Prompt with questions like "What else did you discover?" and "How do you know plants need sunlight?"
Closing (5 minutes)
Have students create a simple drawing showing one thing each living thing needs. As they work, circulate and have students explain their drawings. Post all charts on the wall for future reference.
Quick Check: "Name one thing plants need. Name one thing animals need. Name one thing people need to be healthy."
Formative Assessment
During the lesson, look for:
- Students pointing to or describing pictures that show needs of living things in books and on tablets
- Students contributing ideas to their team's chart paper with drawings or attempts at writing
- Students using vocabulary words like "water," "food," "sunlight," and "shelter" during discussions
Differentiation Strategies
Support for Struggling Students:
- Pair with stronger readers during book research time
- Provide picture cards showing basic needs to help with chart completion
- Allow drawing instead of writing to record discoveries
Challenge for Advanced Learners:
- Research specific animals (bears, fish, birds) and their unique needs
- Write simple sentences about their discoveries instead of just drawing
- Help other teams by reading aloud from books or explaining tablet content
ELL/ELD Support:
- Focus on picture-based books and websites with clear visuals
- Teach key vocabulary with gestures (drinking for water, eating for food)
- Allow students to explain discoveries in their home language first, then in English
Printable Materials
Living Things Research Chart Template
| PLANTS NEED: | ANIMALS NEED: | HUMANS NEED: |
|---|---|---|
|
Draw or write what you discover: |
Draw or write what you discover: |
Draw or write what you discover: |