Survival of the Fittest: Comparing the Needs of Humans and Cows
Students identify what cows and humans need to survive by exploring the physical characteristics of cows and the food, water, shelter, and other environmental needs of cows compared to their own needs. Students also examine how farmers work to meet the needs of their cows.
Background
Lesson Activities
Recommended Companion Resources
Credits
Author
Rashel Clark | Dairy West
Sources
- https://www.nature.com/articles/5201297
- https://www.agweb.com/article/licensed-us-dairy-farms-dropped-88-last-year#:~:text=The%20United%20States%20Department%20of,down%20from%2037%2C468%2C%20or%208.8%25
- https://www.statista.com/statistics/194968/top-10-us-states-by-milk-production/
- https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/chapter-1/a-closer-look-inside-healthy-eating-patterns/
- https://www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/animal-health-literacy/how-cows-eat-grass
- Estimation of human-edible and inedible materials computed from the average Midwestern lactating cow ration. Thoma et al
- https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/bitstream/handle/10365/9250/AS1180_1999.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
- https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-youngstock/healthy-calves
- https://extension.psu.edu/prevention-and-control-of-foot-problems-in-dairy-cows
- https://extension.umn.edu/dairy-news/managing-dairy-cattle-cold-weather
- https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/drinking_water_for_dairy_cattle_part_1#:~:text=These%20may%20be%20good%20guesses,more)%20pounds%20of%20water%20daily.
Standards
Texas Content Area Standards
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ELA: K.110.2.b.1
Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, discussion, and thinking - - oral language. The student develops oral language through listening, speaking, and discussion.
- ELA: K.110.2.b.1.C: share information and ideas by speaking audibly and clearly using the conventions of language
- ELA: K.110.2.b.1.D: work collaboratively with others by following agreed-upon rules for discussion, including taking turns;
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ELA: 1.110.3.b.1
Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, discussion, and thinking - - oral language. The student develops oral language through listening, speaking, and discussion.
- ELA: 1.110.3.b.1.C: share information and ideas about the topic under discussion, speaking clearly at an appropriate pace and using the conventions of language
- ELA: 1.110.3.b.1.D: work collaboratively with others by following agreed-upon rules for discussion, including listening to others, speaking when recognized, and making appropriate contributions
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ELA: 2.110.4.b.1
Developing and sustaining foundational language skills: listening, speaking, discussion, and thinking -- oral language. The student develops oral language through listening, speaking, and discussion.
- ELA: 2.110.4.b.1.C: share information and ideas that focus on the topic under discussion, speaking clearly at an appropriate pace and using the conventions of language
- ELA: 2.110.4.b.1.D: work collaboratively with others by following agreed-upon rules for discussion, including listening to others, speaking when recognized, making appropriate contributions, and building on the ideas of others
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Social Studies: K.113.11.c.5
Economics. The student understands the difference between human needs and wants and how they are met. The student is expected to:
- Social Studies: K.113.11.c.5.A: identify basic human needs of food, clothing, and shelter
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Social Studies: 2.113.13.c.7
Economics. The student understands the roles of producers and consumers in the production of goods and services. The student is expected to:
- Social Studies: 2.113.13.c.7.C: trace the development of a product from a natural resource to a finished product
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Social Studies: 2.113.13.c.16
Social studies skills. The student communicates in written, oral, and visual forms. The student is expected to:
- Social Studies: 2.113.13.c.16.E: communicate information visually, orally, or in writing based on knowledge and experiences in social studies
- Social Studies: 2.113.13.c.16.F: create written and visual material such as stories, maps, and graphic organizers to express ideas
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Social Studies: K.113.11.c.14
Social studies skills. The student communicates in oral and visual forms. The student is expected to:
- Social Studies: K.113.11.c.14.C: communicate information visually, orally, or in writing based on knowledge and experiences in social studies
- Social Studies: K.113.11.c.14.D: create and interpret visuals, including pictures and maps
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Social Studies: 1.113.12.c.17
Social studies skills. The student communicates in oral, visual, and written forms. The student is expected to:
- Social Studies: 1.113.12.c.17.C: communicate information visually, orally, or in writing based on knowledge and experiences in social studies
- Social Studies: 1.113.12.c.17.D: create and interpret visual and written material
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Science: 2.112.4.b.1
Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, or design solutions using appropriate tools and models. The student is expected to:
- Science: 2.112.4.b.1.E: collect observations and measurements as evidence
- Science: 2.112.4.b.1.F: record and organize data using pictures, numbers, words, symbols, and simple graphs
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Science: K.112.2.b.1
Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, or design solutions using appropriate tools and models. The student is expected to:
- Science: K.112.2.b.1.E: collect observations and measurements as evidence.
- Science: K.112.2.b.1.F: record and organize data using pictures, numbers, words, symbols, and simple graphs.
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Science: K.112.2.b.2
Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or correlations to develop evidence-based arguments or evaluate designs. The student is expected to:
- Science: K.112.2.b.2.B: analyze data by identifying significant features and patterns.
- Science: K.112.2.b.2.C: use mathematical concepts to compare two objects with common attributes.
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Science: K.112.2.b.4
Scientific and engineering practices. The student knows the contributions of scientists and recognizes the importance of scientific research and innovation on society. The student is expected to:
- Science: K.112.2.b.4.A: explain how science or an innovation can help others.
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Science: K.112.2.b.5
Recurring themes and concepts. The student uses recurring themes and concepts to make connections across disciplines. The student is expected to:
- Science: K.112.2.b.5.A: identify and use patterns to describe phenomena or design solutions.
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Science: K.112.2.b.12
Organisms and environments. The student knows that plants and animals depend on the environment to meet their basic needs for survival. The student is expected to:
- Science: K.112.2.b.12.A: observe and identify the dependence of plants on air, sunlight, water, nutrients in the soil, and space to grow.
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Science: 1.112.3.b.1
Scientific and engineering practices. The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, or design solutions using appropriate tools and models. The student is expected to:
- Science: 1.112.3.b.1.E: collect observations and measurements as evidence.
- Science: 1.112.3.b.1.F: record and organize data using pictures, numbers, words, symbols, and simple graphs.
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Science: 1.112.3.b.2
Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or correlations to develop evidence-based arguments or evaluate designs. The student is expected to:
- Science: 1.112.3.b.2.A: identify basic advantages and limitations of models such as their size, properties, and materials.
- Science: 1.112.3.b.2.B: analyze data by identifying significant features and patterns.
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Science: 1.112.3.b.5
Recurring themes and concepts. The student uses recurring themes and concepts to make connections across disciplines. The student is expected to:
- Science: 1.112.3.b.5.A: identify and use patterns to describe phenomena or design solutions.
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Science: 1.112.3.b.11
Earth and space. The student knows that earth materials and products made from these materials are important to everyday life. The student is expected to:
- Science: 1.112.3.b.11.A: identify and describe how plants, animals, and humans use rocks, soil, and water.
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Science: 1.112.3.b.12
Organisms and environments. The student knows that the environment is composed of relationships between living organisms and nonliving components. The student is expected to:
- Science: 1.112.3.b.12.A: classify living and nonliving things based upon whether they have basic needs and produce young.
- Science: 1.112.3.b.12.C: identify and illustrate how living organisms depend on each other through food chains.
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Science: 1.112.3.b.13
Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and undergo processes that help them interact and survive within their environments. The student is expected to:
- Science: 1.112.3.b.13.A: identify the external structures of different animals and compare how those structures help different animals live, move, and meet basic needs for survival.
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Science: 2.112.4.b.2
Scientific and engineering practices. The student analyzes and interprets data to derive meaning, identify features and patterns, and discover relationships or correlations to develop evidence-based arguments or evaluate designs. The student is expected to:
- Science: 2.112.4.b.2.A: identify basic advantages and limitations of models such as their size, properties, and materials
- Science: 2.112.4.b.2.B: analyze data by identifying significant features and patterns
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Science: 2.112.4.b.5
Recurring themes and concepts. The student uses recurring themes and concepts to make connections across disciplines. The student is expected to:
- Science: 2.112.4.b.5.A: identify and use patterns to describe phenomena or design solutions
-
Science: 2.112.4.b.12
Organisms and environments. The student knows that living organisms have basic needs that must be met through interactions within their environment. The student is expected to:
- Science: 2.112.4.b.12.A: describe how the physical characteristics of environments, including the amount of rainfall, support plants and animals within an ecosystem
- Science: 2.112.4.b.12.B: create and describe food chains identifying producers and consumers to demonstrate how animals depend on other living things
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Science: 2.112.4.b.13
Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms have structures and undergo processes that help them interact and survive within their environments. The student is expected to:
- Science: 2.112.4.b.13.A: identify the roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds of plants and compare how those structures help different plants meet their basic needs for survival
- Science: 2.112.4.b.13.B: record and compare how the structures and behaviors of animals help them find and take in food, water, and air