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Third Grade
Science
Updated May 2024
1st Quarter (Unit 2)
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Life Cycles and TraitsPLC Questions I: What is it the student is to know and do?


Unit Goal: Students develop a model to compare and contrast observations on the life cycle of different plants and animals. Students can construct scientific arguments to support claims that some characteristics of organisms are inherited from parents and some are influenced by the environment. Students can make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change.

Common language: **Unit 2 focuses on organisms other than humans - reproduction, germinate, pollinate, diagrams, graphs, data tables, drawings, offspring, observations, patterns, inheritance, environment, classify, traits, environmental conditions, variation in a trait, habitat, characteristics, evidence, evaluate, claim

Inspire Science: Unit 2

Unit Duration: 8 Weeks
DOKIntroduce (I)
Dev. Mastery (DM)
Master (M)
Reinforce (R)
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Essential Question:
How can we develop a model to compare/contrast observations on the life cycle of different plants and animals?1st2nd3rd4th
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Strand: LS1From Molecules to Organisms: Structure and Processes
B. Growth and Development of Organisms
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3.LS1.B Develop a model to compare and contrast observations on the life cycle of different plants and animals.
[Clarification Statement: Changes organisms go through during their life form a pattern.]

*I can develop a model to compare/contrast observation on the life cycle of different plants and animals.		3M
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Essential Question:
How can I make scientific arguments to support claims that some characteristics of organisms are inheritied from parents and some are influenced by the environment?
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StrandHeredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
A. Inheritance of Traits
B. Variation of Traits
D. Biodiversity and Humans
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3.LS3.A Construct scientific arguments to support claims that some characteristics of organisms are inherited from parents and some are influenced by the environment.

[Clarification Statement: Examples of the environment affecting a trait could include normally tall plants grown with insufficient water are stunted; and, a pet dog that is given too much food and little exercise may become overweight.]


* I can make scientific arguments to support claims that some characteristics of organisms are inherited by the environment. (ex. tall plants grown with insufficient water - inherited & pet dog given too much food - environment)		3M
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3.LS3.BUse evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving and finding mates.

[Clarification Statement: Examples of cause and effect relationships could be plants that have larger thorns than other plants may be less likely to be eaten by predators; and, animals that have better camouflage coloration than other animals may be more likely to survive and therefore more likely to leave offspring.]

*I can explain how different characteristics help animals survive in their environment. 		3M
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3.LS3.DMake a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change.

[Clarification Statement: Examples of environmental changes could include changes in land characteristics, water distribution, temperature, food, and other organisms.]

* I can make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change. For example, the animals may move or die when there is a wildfire.		3M
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Essential Question:
How can I use my knowledge of life cycles to solve problems?
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Strand: ETS1Engineering Design
A. Defining and Delimiting Engineering Problems
B. Developing Possible Solutions
C. Optimizing the Solution Process
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3.ETS1.ADefine a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.

*I can make a plan to solve a problem, check for success, and adjust accourdingly. 		3IDMDMM
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3.ETS1.BGenerate and compare multiple possible solutions to a
problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.

*I can evaluate possible solutions for reasonableness and efficiency. 		3IDMDMM
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3.EST1.CPlan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved

*I can perform fair experiments to test different hypothesis and make suggestions for future change.		3IDMDMM
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