South Dakota Science 1-LS1-1

Science1st GradeLife Science

The Standard

Construct an explanation and 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 needs. (SEP: 6; DCI: LS1.A, LSI.D, ETS1.A; CCC: Structure/Function) Alignment may include K-2-ETS1-1

South Dakota Science Standards (2024) · From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students explain how a plant or animal uses an outside part to meet a need. They use that part as a model for something that solves a human problem.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student explains that hooks on a burr catch on fur, helping its seeds travel to a new place to grow. The student makes a shoe flap with a hook-and-loop closure and explains how it helps someone who cannot tie laces.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think burrs move on their own or that their hooks help them get food. Some may draw a burr without using its hooks in their design.
How to Assess It: Show a picture of a burr caught in fur. Ask students to draw a shoe closure based on the burr and finish this sentence: “My closure helps because _____.”

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Press a burr or hooked pipe cleaner against fabric, then use hook-and-loop dots to make a cardboard shoe flap that stays closed.
Ask, “How do a burr’s hooks help its seeds, and how could hooks help someone close a shoe?”
Match cards showing burr hooks, turtle shells, and duck feet to cards showing seed travel, protection, and swimming; explain each match.
Inspect a hook-and-loop shoe, then point out which part catches and how that helps a child close it without tying laces.

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