Skip Navigation

Utah Core  •  Curriculum Search  •  All Science - Elementary Lesson Plans  •  USBE Science - Elementary website

Science - Elementary Curriculum SEEd - Grade 3
Lesson Plans

Strand 3.2: EFFECTS OF TRAITS ON SURVIVAL

Organisms (plants and animals, including humans) have unique and diverse life cycles, but they all follow a pattern of birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Different organisms vary in how they look and function because they have different inherited traits. An organism's traits are inherited from its parents and can be influenced by the environment. Variations in traits between individuals in a population may provide advantages in surviving and reproducing in particular environments. When the environment changes, some organisms have traits that allow them to survive, some move to new locations, and some do not survive. Humans can design solutions to reduce the impact of environmental changes on organisms.

Standard 3.2.1

Develop and use models to describe changes that organisms go through during their life cycles. Emphasize that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but follow a pattern of birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Examples of changes in life cycles could include how some plants and animals look different at different stages of life or how other plants and animals only appear to change size in their life. (LS1.B)
  • 3.2.1 Presentation and Baby Pictures - Life Cycle Investigations
    Desription
  • 3.2.3 Lesson Plan - Why Animals Change Their Color
    Develop and use models to describe changes that organisms go through during their life cycles. Emphasize that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but follow a pattern of birth, growth, reproduction, and death. Examples of changes in life cycles could include how some plants and animals look different at different stages of life or how other plants
    and animals only appear to change size in their life.
  • 3rd Grade Lesson Ideas: Ozobot
    This is a list of potential ideas based off a specific technology. None of these ideas are fully developed lessons. Please make changes and adaptations as necessary for the students in your class.
  • 3rd Grade Ozobots: Harlem Grown
    This is a potential lesson plan derived from a summer camp activity. It was based off a specific technology. Please make changes and adaptations as necessary for the students in your class.
  • Living, Nonliving or Once Living
    Students investigate what it means to be alive. Students sort items into three categories: living, nonliving, or once living. Yeast and cornmeal are similar looking powders and students will conduct an experiment to see if either powder is alive. A terrarium is used to demonstrate to students that living, nonliving, and once living materials all interact in an ecosystem.


UEN logo http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Jennifer  Throndsen and see the Science - Elementary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer  Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.