Virginia SOL LS.3

LS.3 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• LS.3.a

  patterns of cellular organization support life processes

• LS.3.b

  unicellular and multicellular organisms have comparative structures

• LS.3.c

  similar characteristics determine the classification of organisms.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students arrange cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms from simplest to most complex. They compare how single-celled and multicellular organisms carry out life functions. They group organisms using shared traits as evidence.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students can identify each level in a diagram and explain how one level builds the next. They can compare structures in unicellular and multicellular organisms. They can classify an unfamiliar organism and defend the choice with observable traits.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may confuse tissues with organs or place organ systems before organs. They may think unicellular organisms have tissues and organs, or cannot perform all life functions. They may classify organisms by size or habitat instead of shared traits.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Order cell, tissue, organ, organ system, and organism, then explain where an amoeba fits. Classify two pictured organisms using two shared traits.

1. 01

   Give groups labeled structure cards and yarn, then have them build and explain a cell-to-organism sequence.

2. 02

   Show yeast and human body diagrams, then ask, "How does each organism complete nutrition, waste removal, and reproduction?"

3. 03

   Play a mystery organism game using trait cards, and require teams to classify each organism with two pieces of evidence.

4. 04

   Trace how damage to heart muscle cells can affect heart tissue, the circulatory system, and the whole person.

• 4.2

  The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals have structures that distinguish them from one another and play vital roles in their ability...

• 2.5

  The student will investigate and understand that living things are part of a system. Key ideas include

• K.6

  The student will investigate and understand that there are differences between living organisms and nonliving objects. Key ideas include

• LS.2

  The student will investigate and understand that all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theor...