Standards Map

Science and Technology/Engineering > Grade 3 > Life Science
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Science and Technology/Engineering | Grade : 3

Discipline - Life Science

Core Idea - Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

[3.LS.4.2] - Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals within the same species may provide advantages to these individuals in their survival and reproduction. Clarification Statements: Examples can include rose bushes of the same species, one with slightly longer thorns than the other which may prevent its predation by deer, and color variation within a species that may provide advantages so one organism may be more likely to survive and therefore more likely to produce offspring; Examples of evidence could include needs and characteristics of the organisms and habitats involved.

Resources:

Predecessor Standards:

  • K.LS.1.2
    Recognize that all plants and animals grow and change over time.

Successor Standards:

  • 7.LS.1.4
    Construct an explanation based on evidence for how characteristic animal behaviors and specialized plant structures increase the probability of successful reproduction of animals and plants. Clarification Statements: Examples of animal behaviors that affect the probability of animal reproduction could include nest building to protect young from cold, herding of animals to protect young from predators, and vocalizations and colorful plumage to attract mates for breeding. Examples of animal behaviors that affect the probability of plant reproduction could include (a) transferring pollen or seeds and (b) creating conditions for seed germination and growth. Examples of plant structures that affect the probability of plant reproduction could include bright flowers attracting butterflies that transfer pollen, flower nectar, and odors that attract insects that transfer pollen, and hard shells on nuts that squirrels bury.State Assessment Boundary: Natural selection is not expected in state assessment.
  • 8.LS.4.4
    Use a model to describe the process of natural selection, in which genetic variations of some traits in a population increase some individuals’ likelihood of surviving and reproducing in a changing environment. Provide evidence that natural selection occurs over many generations. Clarification Statements: The model should include simple probability statements and proportional reasoning. Examples of evidence can include Darwin’s finches, necks of giraffes, and peppered moths. State Assessment Boundary: Specific conditions that lead to natural selection are not expected in state assessment.
  • HS.LS.4.2
    Construct an explanation based on evidence that Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection occurs in a population when the following conditions are met: (a) more offspring are produced than can be supported by the environment, (b) there is heritable variation among individuals, and (c) some of these variations lead to differential fitness among individuals as some individuals are better able to compete for limited resources than others. Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the overall result of an increase in the proportion of those individuals with advantageous heritable traits that are better able to survive and reproduce in the environment.

Same Level Standards:

  • W.3.2
    Write informative/explanatory texts to examine a topic and convey ideas and information clearly.
  • W.3.7
    Conduct short research projects that build knowledge about a topic.
  • 3.LS.3.1
    Provide evidence, including through the analysis of data, that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exist in a group of similar organisms.Clarification Statements: Examples of inherited traits that vary can include the color of fur, shape of leaves, length of legs, and size of flowers; Focus should be on non-human examples. State Assessment Boundary: Genetic mechanisms of inheritance or prediction of traits are not expected in state assessment.
  • 3.LS.4.4
    Analyze and interpret given data about changes in a habitat and describe how the changes may affect the ability of organisms that live in that habitat to survive and reproduce. Clarification Statements: Changes should include changes to landforms, distribution of water, climate, and availability of resources; Changes in the habitat could range in time from a season to a decade; While it is understood that ecological changes are complex, the focus should be on a single change to the habitat.
  • 3.LS.4.5
    Provide evidence to support a claim that the survival of a population is dependent upon reproduction. State Assessment Boundary: Details of reproduction are not expected in state assessment.