Little Lab Coats
Animal Home Checkup Reference Card
Kindergarten
Animals survive when their basic needs are met in the places they live.
Unit sample
K-LS1 Unit 3 · Animal Needs
Free Little Lab Coats sample for teaching the big idea at home.
Key vocabulary
animalneedfoodwaterairshelter
What to notice
- Animals need food, water, air, and shelter.
- Different animals meet needs in different ways.
- A habitat checkup makes survival needs visible.
Materials snapshot
- Toy animal or animal picture
- Small box, towel, or paper “home”
- Blue paper or cup for water symbol
- Pretend food card
- Crayons
- Checklist worksheet
Talk-about prompts
- Which need did you add first?
- What would happen if water were missing?
- How is this animal’s home different from yours?
Why it matters
A strong answer includes food, water, air, and shelter and explains that missing a need can make the animal unsafe or unable to survive.
Family bridge: This card helps parents coach the evidence sentence with quick, concrete language at home.