In this unit, students explore the survival patterns of plants and animals. The Crosscutting Concepts of Patterns and Systems and System Models are featured prominently as students explore what living things need to survive and how living things interact with their environments.

First, students identify what living things do and need. Students use this information to determine that plants and animals are living.

Next, students grow plants in order to see what they need to live, and identify how plants are similar yet different.

After learning about plant needs and parts, students determine how plants and animals are different. Students identify and compare different animal needs and use observations to classify animals into groups.

Finally, students recognize that all living things have needs that must be met in order to survive. The environments in which they live must meet these needs. Students use the information from this unit to act as a zoologist and make a model (drawing). They will use their model to compare the basic needs of pets and wild animals.