2-LS2-2

Science2nd GradeEcosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

The standard

Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.

Next Generation Science Standards

What this standard means

Students need to build and use a simple model that shows how an animal helps a plant make new plants. They should connect the animal’s body or behavior to seed movement or pollen movement. A model can be a sketch, a craft, or a simple tool that acts like fur, beak, feet, or a mouth.

Mastery looks like a student explaining how their model works and naming what part represents the animal and what part represents the seed or pollen. Students often get stuck making a cute animal instead of showing the function. They also mix up seed dispersal and pollination.

Ways to teach it

  • Press Velcro, cotton balls, and paper seeds onto a stuffed animal to model how burrs stick to fur and move to new places.
  • Ask students to write: How does your model show an animal helping a plant make more plants?
  • Show three student models and ask students to point to the part that represents the animal and the part that represents the seed or pollen.
  • Bring in a strawberry, sunflower seeds, or a dandelion photo and discuss which animals might move seeds or pollen nearby.

Plan a lesson for 2-LS2-2

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Related standards

  • HS-LS1-2

    Develop and use a model to illustrate the hierarchical organization of interacting systems that provide specific functions within multicellular organisms.

  • K-ESS3-1

    Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

  • 5-LS2-1

    Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.

  • 1-LS1-1

    Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animals use their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their...

Standard text verified against nextgenscience.org on July 10, 2026.

Page updated July 10, 2026.

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