Virginia SOL LS.7

LS.7 is a Standards of Learning science standard. These are the key ideas and practices under it.

• LS.7.a

  biotic and abiotic factors define land, marine, and freshwater ecosystems

• LS.7.b

  physical and behavioral characteristics enable organisms to survive within a specific ecosystem.

01

What Students Need to Do

Students identify living and nonliving conditions in land, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. They explain how a body trait or behavior helps an organism survive under specific conditions.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students correctly classify factors such as predators, temperature, water, soil, and sunlight. Given an unfamiliar organism, they connect one trait or behavior to a specific survival benefit.

03

Common Misconceptions

Students may think organisms choose or develop needed adaptations during their lifetime. They may confuse behaviors with physical traits or assume one helpful trait works in every ecosystem.

04

How to Assess It

Show a picture of a river otter and ask students to name one living factor, one nonliving factor, and one helpful adaptation. Require a because statement.

1. 01

   Sort organism, sunlight, temperature, soil, water, and predator cards onto land, freshwater, or marine ecosystem mats.

2. 02

   Write: How would thick fur help in one ecosystem but cause problems in another?

3. 03

   Play adaptation match-up by pairing organism cards with trait cards, then defend each match in one sentence.

4. 04

   Observe a schoolyard organism and record one body trait or behavior that helps it handle local conditions.

• 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...

• 3.4

  The student will investigate and understand that adaptations allow organisms to satisfy life needs and respond to the environment. Key ideas include

• LS.5

  The student will investigate and understand that biotic and abiotic factors affect an ecosystem. Key ideas include

• 3.5

  The student will investigate and understand that aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems support a diversity of organisms. Key ideas include