Virginia SOL 4.8.b
The Standard
plants and animals
Virginia Standards of Learning for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students identify Virginia plants and animals as renewable natural resources. They explain how people use these resources and how habitat protection helps keep populations available.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Students can name local examples, such as deer, fish, corn, and oak trees. They can connect each example to a use and explain why renewable does not mean unlimited.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may think natural resources are only nonliving things such as water and rocks. They may also think renewable plants and animals cannot run out, even when habitats are damaged or populations are overused.
How to Assess It
- Ask students to name one Virginia plant and one Virginia animal, describe one benefit from each, and give one way to protect each resource.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Have pairs sort picture cards into Virginia plants, Virginia animals, and nonliving resources, then explain two choices.
Ask students to write: How could losing one Virginia plant or animal affect people and other living things?
Play a matching game using organism cards and benefit cards, such as bees and pollination or cattle and food.
Examine labels from local foods or wood products, then trace each item back to a Virginia plant or animal resource.
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Printable 4.8.b Worksheet
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