Structures for Survival

CONCEPTUAL

Science›Organisms & Life Processes|Ages 9—10|ID: mt_8VA40Tumth

Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behaviour, and reproduction

Mastery Evidence

Give examples of external structures and their survival functions (e.g. thorns for protection, claws for catching prey)
Give examples of internal structures and their functions (e.g. heart pumps blood, lungs take in air)
Construct a reasoned argument linking a specific structure to how it helps the organism survive or reproduce

Assessment Prompt

“Can [child] explain how a cactus's thick stem helps it survive in a desert, or how a bird's wings help it find food?”

Curriculum Standards1 alignment

4-LS1-1Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) K-5codes only

Standard code — full text not included in this dataset.

Prerequisites3

How Plant Parts Work
hardAges 7—8
Cells, Tissues & Organs
softAges 7—9
Skeletons & Muscles
hardAges 7—8

Show full prerequisite tree

How Plant Parts Work hard
Must know plant part functions before arguing about how plant structures support survival
- Parts of a Plant hard
  Must know basic plant structure before learning about function of each part
  - Common Plants & Trees hard
    Must know plant names before learning about their parts
Cells, Tissues & Organs soft
Understanding the cells → tissues → organs → systems hierarchy enriches the ability to argue about internal structures supporting survival
- The Heart & Blood soft
  Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of heart as an organ in a system
- The Brain Controls the Body soft
  Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of brain as an organ in a system
- How Breathing Works soft
  Cells-to-systems hierarchy helps organise knowledge of lungs as organs in a system
Skeletons & Muscles hard
Must know about skeletons/muscles before arguing about how structures support survival
- Body Parts & Senses soft
  Knowing body parts and senses supports understanding skeleton protects organs
  - Animal Body Groups soft
    Comparing animal structures supports understanding own body parts
    - Naming Common Animals hard
      Must know animal groups before comparing body structures
- Animal Body Groups hard
  Must compare animal body structures before learning about skeleton/muscle system specifically
  - Naming Common Animals hard
    Must know animal groups before comparing body structures
- Bones & Muscles soft
  Enrichment knowledge of skeleton and muscles supports formal curriculum study of skeletons for support, protection, movement

Unlocks1

Evidence-Based Classification
softAges 10—11