The needs of living things | Primary science student learning resource
We are learning about the needs of living things.
These activities help Early Stage 1 students explore what plants and animals need to stay alive, including air, water, food and shelter. Through short videos, hands-on investigations, nature walks and creative tasks, students observe living things in their local environment and describe how they meet their needs.
This resource can be used as a complete sequence or alongside a Teddy bears picnic excursion.
Lesson 1 - The needs of people
Students learn about the basic needs of people – food, water, air and shelter – and explore everyday examples of how we meet these needs at home and outdoors.
Lesson 2 - The needs of animals
Students investigate what animals need to stay alive and examine how different habitats provide food, water, air and shelter.
Lesson 3 - The needs of plants
Students explore what plants require to survive, using observation and simple checklists to identify whether plants in their environment are getting their needs met.
Lesson 4 - Going on a teddy bears picnic
Students plan and enjoy a teddy bears’ picnic, identifying the needs of people and practising mindfulness and self-care as part of staying healthy and safe.
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Teddy bears picnic excursion
A introduction to outdoor science where students bring a favourite toy on a bush picnic to explore living things, their needs and how to look after the environment.