Georgia S5L4

S5L4 is a Georgia science standard. These are the elements under it.

• S5L4.a

  Construct an argument using scientific evidence to support a claim that some microorganisms are beneficial.

• S5L4.b

  Construct an argument using scientific evidence to support a claim that some microorganisms are harmful.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students gather information from texts, images, or videos about microorganisms affecting plants, animals, and people. They judge the evidence and explain whether each effect is helpful or harmful.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students can describe benefits such as digestion, decomposition, and food production, as well as harms such as disease and food spoilage. They support each claim with accurate evidence from a source.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think all microorganisms are harmful or that every microorganism causes disease. They may also confuse microorganisms with tiny insects or assume antibiotics kill viruses.

04

How to Assess It

Give students a short source card about one microorganism. Ask them to identify its effect, label it helpful or harmful, and cite one supporting detail.

1. 01

   Mix yeast with warm water and sugar, observe bubbles, and record evidence that a microorganism can help make bread rise.

2. 02

   Write a claim explaining why calling every microorganism a germ is inaccurate, using two examples as evidence.

3. 03

   Sort microorganism cards into helpful, harmful, or both, then challenge a partner to justify one disputed card.

4. 04

   Examine yogurt labels and food spoilage photos, then explain how microorganisms can affect foods in different ways.

• S7L4

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to examine the interdependence of organisms with one another and their environments.

• S7L1

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to investigate the diversity of living organisms and how they can be compared scientifically.

• S2L1

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the life cycles of different living organisms.

• S1L1

  Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the basic needs of plants and animals.