Learners in grades 3 through 5 will explore the world around us. This year we will build a basic understanding of the principles of biology, including life cycles, inheritance of traits, and how an environment can influence an organism’s survival. The study of heredity is confined to two generations, and the influence of the environment on the survival of an organism is confined to one generation. (Note: Students do not learn about adaptations over time or “survival of the fittest.”) This module is divided into two units to help students work with two separate yet interrelated ideas:
- how physical traits are influenced by heredity and
- how physical traits are influenced by the environment.
First, students are introduced to the issue of habitat loss for amphibians. They are challenged to design a frog pond that supports a frog’s survival needs throughout its life cycle. They use a bullfrog simulation and an original investigation with duckweed to examine ways in which the environment influences the traits of an organism. Students then learn more about pond habitats and the needs of frogs. They use the Engineering Design Cycle to create a model that explains how their pond provides a healthy habitat for a frog throughout its life cycle. Finally, students use this explanatory model as evidence to argue that they have designed a pond that will support a frog’s survival throughout its life cycle
Throughout the module, students engage in Science and Engineering Practices (things that scientists and engineers do) by making explanatory models, constructing explanations, and engaging in arguments. Students also consistently use Crosscutting Concepts (concepts that link across various scientific disciplines)–especially patterns and systems–to deepen their understanding of content. Routinely, they track their learning in a student science notebook and practice articulating, questioning, and refining their understanding in Scientists Meetings.
Walnut Grove Coop will present selected materials from EL Education Curricula for this program. EL Education descriptions and content are owned by that organization.