Structure, Function, and Information Processing
Back to ScienceStudents explore how plants and animals use their external parts to survive, grow, and meet their needs. They learn about parent-offspring relationships, observe similarities and differences between young and adult organisms, and discover how humans can mimic nature to solve problems.
Essential Learning Outcomes
ELO-1Mimicking Nature
Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow and meet their needs.
Students will:
- Define terms: mimic/mimicking, protection, living/non-living things, defense, camouflage
- Name and describe external parts of local animals and plants
- Identify natural defenses that animals use to survive
- Give examples of how humans mimic plants and animals to solve problems
- Use simple materials to design solutions based on nature
ELO-2Parent-Offspring Behaviors
Read texts and use media to determine patterns in behavior of parent and offspring that help offspring survive.
Students will:
- Define terms: protect, signal, offspring, survive, behavior, parents, respond
- Name and identify offspring of common animals
- Identify signals offspring make (crying, chirping, whining)
- Describe how behavior patterns teach survival skills
- Demonstrate through role play parent-offspring behaviors
ELO-3Comparing Young and Adult Organisms
Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like their parents.
Students will:
- Define terms: parent, roots, leaves, stems, fruits, flowers, body coverings
- Identify properties that distinguish between parents and offspring
- Observe and compare young animals and plants with their parents
- Collect and record evidence of similarities and differences
- Work collaboratively to observe physical features of living things