Week 1: Plants and Animals in Our Lives
Weekly Focus
Children develop awareness of how plants and animals make a difference in their daily lives, learn to distinguish between living and non-living things, and understand that humans are animals too.
Week at a Glance
- Identify the difference between living and non-living things
- Distinguish between plants and animals
- Understand that humans are animals
- Recognize how plants and animals provide food and other resources
Weekly Overview
Theme
Plants and Animals in Our Lives
Focus Areas
- Living vs. non-living
- Plants vs. animals
- Humans as animals
- Food sources
Key Vocabulary
Introducing Living and Non-living Things
Daily Plans
Monday: Introduction to Plants and Animals
Daily schedule and activities
Morning Activity
Morning Circle: Discuss what children like to eat and where food comes from
Literacy Focus
Sing 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' with local plants and animals
Math Focus
Count and sort picture cards of different foods by plant or animal source
Afternoon Activity
Create a chart with the question 'How do plants and animals make a difference to me and my world?'
Materials Needed
- Pictures of local foods
- Picture cards of plants and animals
- Chart paper
- Art supplies
- Food photographs
Assessment Notes
Observe students' prior knowledge about plants and animals and their understanding of where food comes from.
Featured Activities
Living/Non-living Scrapbook
Students create a class or individual scrapbooks with pictures sorted into living and non-living categories, labeling items with beginning letter sounds.
Duration
45 minutes
Materials
- Construction paper
- Glue
- Scissors
- Magazine pictures
- Markers
Learning Areas
Mystery Bag Exploration
Students explore mystery bags containing items related to plants and animals (leaves, feathers, fruits, etc.) and discuss how these items make a difference in their lives.
Duration
30 minutes
Materials
- Paper bags
- Plant and animal items
- Magnifying glasses
- Recording sheets
Learning Areas
Plant and Animal Charades
Students take turns acting out different plants and animals while classmates guess what they are portraying.
Duration
25 minutes
Materials
- Picture cards of plants and animals
- Timer
- Props (optional)
Learning Areas
Food Source Sorting
Students sort food pictures based on whether they come from plants or animals, creating a visual display of food sources.
Duration
35 minutes
Materials
- Food pictures
- Sorting mats
- Glue
- Chart paper
- Markers
Learning Areas
Connecting to Children's Lives
Resources
Books
- "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" by Eric Carle
- "From Farm to Table" by Ali Mitgutsch
- "Is It Alive?" by Marcia S. Freeman
- "What's Alive?" by Kathleen Weidner Zoehfeld
- "Animals and Their Homes" by Pamela Hickman
Printables
- Living/non-living sorting cards
- Plant and animal picture cards
- Food source classification sheets
- Human-animal comparison worksheet
- Letter Z, W, Y, X practice sheets
Home Connection
Send home a family activity sheet that encourages parents/caregivers to talk with their child about plants and animals they encounter daily and how these living things help us.