Many young children, at one time or another, have asked for a jar, run outside, caught an animal to bring home, and sat watching it for hours. Others have helped plant seeds or gardens and become fascinated as they see plants spring into life.
Children have a natural curiosity about both animals and plants.
But few have been asked to look at the two together, to think about how plants and animals are alike and different, and to think about themselves as organisms, too. As they investigate a variety of organisms, students discover that organisms have certain basic needs, such as food and water. In observing and taking care of a number of different plants and animals, students begin to develop positive attitudes and a sensitivity toward living things. At this age, children are developing their observation skills. Using more than one sense, they are moving from focusing on one characteristic to focusing on several characteristics at a time.