South Dakota Science 3-LS4-2

Science3rd GradeLife Science

The Standard

Use evidence and reasoning to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. (SEP: 6; DCI: LS4.B; CCC: Cause/Effect)

South Dakota Science Standards (2024) · Biological Unity and Diversity

Teacher's field guide

What This Standard Means

What Students Need to Do: Students compare individuals of the same species that have different traits, such as color or song. They use observations or counts to explain how a trait may help an animal survive, find a mate, or have offspring.
What Mastery Looks Like: A student uses catch counts to explain why dark beetles may survive better on dark bark. They use bird courtship counts to explain how a different song may help a bird find a mate, without claiming success is certain.
Common Misconceptions: Students may think all members of a species look alike or that a beetle changes color when it needs to hide. They may also think a helpful trait guarantees survival or offspring.
How to Assess It: Exit ticket: Birds caught 8 light beetles and 2 dark beetles from dark bark, starting with 10 of each. Which color may help beetles survive there? Use the counts in your answer.

Lesson moves

Ways to Teach It

Place ten light and ten dark paper beetles on brown paper; have partners collect visible beetles for ten seconds and tally each color.
Show a chart where seven females approach long-tailed male birds and two approach short-tailed males; ask which trait might help males find mates.
Give pairs beetle color cards and background cards with predator catch counts; have them match cards and explain each choice using the counts.
Read a school garden chart of short-rooted and long-rooted bean plants after a dry week; compare each group's seed pod counts.

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