Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Prairie Portrait Interactive Science Lesson

Subject Area

Science

Grade(s)

4

Overview

Investigate a prairie inhabitant—the bee. Students gather information about a bee’s internal and external parts and use this information as evidence to make a claim about how the bee’s internal and external parts work together as a system to ensure survival. The lesson supports diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility by focusing on an insect familiar to learners in most environments and providing contextual definitions for vocabulary as well as illustrations and video, helping learners from areas without prairie to engage with and understand the lesson.

This NET Nebraska student lesson uses the photographs, observation notes, and online blog from the Nature Conservancy’s Science Director, Chris Helzer. Helzer's photography is featured in his book, Hidden Prairie: Photographing Life in One Square Meter.

    Science (2015) Grade(s): 4

    SC15.4.9

    Examine evidence to support an argument that the internal and external structures of plants (e.g., thorns, leaves, stems, roots, colored petals, xylem, phloem) and animals (e.g., heart, stomach, lung, brain, skin) function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

    Unpacked Content

    UP:SC15.4.9

    Vocabulary

    • argue
    • articulate
    • evidence
    • internal
    • external
    • structure
    • survival
    • function
    • behavior
    • reproduction

    Knowledge

    Students know:
    • Internal and External structures serve specific functions within plants and animals.
    • The functions of internal and external structures can support survival, growth, behavior and/or reproduction in plants and animals.
    • Different structures work together as part of a system to support survival, growth, behavior, and/or reproduction.

    Skills

    Students are able to:
    • Articulate an explanation from evidence explaining how the internal and external structures of plants and animals function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
    • Determine the strengths and weaknesses of the evidence collected, including whether or not it supports a claim about the role of internal and external structures of plants and animals in supporting survival, growth, behavior, and/or reproduction.
    • Use reasoning to connect the relevant and appropriate evidence to support an argument about the function of the internal and external structures of plants and animals.

    Understanding

    Students understand that:
    • Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions in growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction.

    Scientific and Engineering Practices

    Engage in Argument from Evidence

    Crosscutting Concepts

    Systems and System Models; Structure and Function
    Link to Resource

    CR Resource Type

    Lesson/Unit Plan

    Resource Provider

    PBS
    Accessibility

    Accessibility

    Text Resources: Content is organized under headings and subheadings
    License

    License Type

    Custom
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