Florida SC.4.L.16.2

Science4th GradeHeredity and Reproduction

The Standard

Explain that although characteristics of plants and animals are inherited, some characteristics can be affected by the environment.

Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards for Science

Teacher's field guide

What Students Need to Do: Students identify traits passed from parents to offspring, such as flower color, fur type, or eye color. They explain how light, water, food, climate, or injury can affect some characteristics.
What Mastery Looks Like: Students can examine a plant or animal example and separate inherited traits from environmental effects. They can also explain when both inheritance and environment may shape a characteristic, such as height.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think every visible difference is inherited, or that scars and other acquired changes pass to offspring. They may also assume inheritance and environment cannot affect the same characteristic.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Two bean plants from the same seed type grew to different heights in sunny and shady locations. Explain the difference and name one inherited trait they may share.

Lesson moves

Grow bean seedlings from one seed packet in light and shade, then compare their height, leaf color, and growth.
Write an explanation of how two littermate puppies could share fur traits but differ in weight because of diet and exercise.
Sort scenario cards into inherited, environmentally affected, or both, then defend each choice to a partner.
Compare sun and shade leaves from the same plant, and discuss how location affects their size, color, and thickness.

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