3-LS4-2 lessons
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.
The Next Generation Science Standards code 3-LS4-2 asks students to: “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.” These Fieldbook lesson teaches it hands-on, with everyday materials, a printable teacher guide and a student sheet.
Survival Clues: Fossils, Groups and Changing Habitats Grade 3
- 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.
NGSS is used as written in Alaska, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Wyoming, so the code 3-LS4-2 matches there. Other states word and number their own versions: see curriculum alignment for your state's codes.
More NGSS standards for Grade 3
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