Subject:
Science
Grade:
3
Topic
Life Cycles and Traits
Overview/Summary:
Code
3-LS1-1
3-LS3-1
NGSS Standard
CLT#
Develop models to describe
1
*that organisms have unique
and diverse life cycles but all 2
have in common birth, growth,
reproduction, and death.
*Students will need to have
had experiences/practice in
developing models to describe
various other phenomena
before doing so with the
content of this standard.
Additional CLTs may be
needed.
Analyze and interpret data
*to provide evidence that
plants and animals have traits
inherited from parents and
that variation of these traits
exists in a group of similar
organisms.
*Students will need to be
taught how to analyze and
interpret data before this
standard can be assessed.
They will need to have had
1
2
3
4
Clear Learning Targets
DOK
I can explain what a life cycle is and what all life cycles have in
common.
I can develop models to describe that organisms have unique and
diverse life cycles, but that all have in common birth, growth,
reproduction, and death.
K
I can explain what a trait is and can describe the difference between
learned and inherited traits.
I can identify plant and animal traits that are inherited from the
parents.
I can explain what variation of traits mean and give examples of
these.
I can analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and
animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these
traits exists in a group of similar organisms.
K
P
K/R
K/R
P
3-LS3-2
experiences/practice in
analyzing and interpreting
various specific data before
doing so with the content of
this standard. Additional
CLTs may be needed to
address.
Use evidence to support the
explanation* that traits can
be influenced by the
environment.
1
2
I can explain how traits can be influenced by the environment.
I can use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be
influenced by the environment.
K
P
1
I can identify and describe how variations in characteristics (traits)
among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in
surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.
K/R
2
I can use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations
in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide
advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.
*Students will need to know what
an explanation in science is before
this standard can be addressed.
Additional CLTs may be needed to
address.
3-LS4-2
Use evidence to construct an
explanation* for how the
variations in characteristics
among individuals of the same
species may provide
advantages in surviving,
finding mates, and
reproducing
*Students will need to be
taught what a scientific
explanation is and how to
construct one before this
standard can be assessed.
They will need to have
experiences/practice in
P
constructing evidence-based
explanations for other
specific reasons before they
can do this for the content of
this standard. Additional
CLTs may be needed to
address.
Key Vocabulary
3-LS1-1
Life cycle
3-LS3-1
Traits, inherited traits, learned/environmental traits
3-LS3-2
Environment influences
3-LS4-2
Adaptations, species
Suggested Resources & Activities