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South Dakota · South Dakota Science · Grade 3

3.LS4.2: Use evidence and reasoning to construct an explanation for how the…

Use evidence and reasoning 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.

The South Dakota Science Standards (2024) outcome 3.LS4.2 (Life Sciences) for Grade 3 says: “Use evidence and reasoning 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.” This Fieldbook unit teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials and a printable teacher guide and student sheet for every lesson. Official wording: South Dakota Science Standards (2024).

Survival Clues: Fossils, Groups and Changing Habitats Grade 3

Four no-materials lessons on what helps living things survive: reading fossil cards from Antarctica to the Himalaya to work out what places were like long ago, a predator-and-prey game on why animals live in groups, a camouflage hunt on printed bark and sand, and case files on what happens when a habitat changes. Everything runs on printed sheets.

  • Why do some animals in a family survive better? 45–60 min

    Students play hungry birds hunting printed beetles of two colours on dark bark and pale sand, then read cards on thorny plants, thick fur and long-tailed birds. They explain how small differences between animals of the same kind help some survive, find mates and have young.

Printable practice for 3.LS4.2

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Compared with NGSS: 3-LS4-2.

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