3rdGrade Science—4th Grading Period
3.L.1. Understand how plants
survive in their environments.
Objectives and Clarifying Objectives
3.L.2.1 Remember the function of the
following structures as it relates to the
survival of plants and their environments:
Roots: absorb nutrients
Stems: provide support
Leaves: Synthesize food
Flowers – attract pollinators and produce
seed for reproduction
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3.L.2.2 Explain how environmental
conditions determine how well plants
survive and grow.
3.L.2.3 Summarize the distinct stages of the
life cycle of seed plants.
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3.L.2.4 Explain how the basic properties
(texture and capacity to hold water) and
components (sand, clay and humus) of soil
DE: Discovery Education
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Fourth Quarter
Unit of Study: Life Science-Plants
Essential Questions
Learning Targets (The Learner Will)
What is the main job of the
plant stem?
What happens inside a plant
stem?
What structures allow a stem
to keep a plant alive?
Why are roots important to
plants?
Where and how do roots
grow?
How do roots benefit a
plant’s environment?
How do flowering plants
reproduce?
How do animals interact with
flowering plants to help them
reproduce?
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What do plants need to
grow?
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What are the stages of the
plant life cycle?
Why do plants need seeds or
spores?
How do plants change and
grow through their life cycle?
What are the different types
of soil?
What are the main properties
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WTL: Write to Learn
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Key Vocabulary
Explain the role that stems play in
keeping plants alive.
Examine the structure of a plant
stem.
Explain the basic function of roots.
Describe how roots spread out
under a plant holding soil in place
and supporting the plant.
Describe how root hairs help roots
absorb water and nutrients from
soil.
Explain how flowers attract bees
and birds to the plant and how this
interaction helps the plant
reproduce.
Cone
Flower
Leaf
Photosynthesis (?)
Plant
Root
Seed
stem
Illustrate the necessary ingredients
to successful plant growth: soil,
water, adequate temperature,
sunlight
Draw and label the stages of the life
cycle of a seed plant.
Grow a plant from seeds and
document their observations in a
science journal with pictures and
written description.
Describe the properties of soil that
make plant growth possible.
environment
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Seed, germination,
seedling, conifer, life cycle,
seed plant
Sand, clay, humus, organic,
inorganic, compost
3rdGrade Science—4th Grading Period
determine the ability of soil to support the
growth and survival of many plants.
Week
of each soil type?
UNIT:
Life Science
Objective:
Resources:
Literacy and
Technology
3.L.2.1
Plant
Structures
Discovery
Education
Wordbook Online
World Book Online:
PLANTS UNIT
DE UNIT: Investigating Plants
Discovery
Education
Wordbook Online
DE UNIT— Investigating Plants
3.L.2.2 Explain
how
environmental
conditions
determine
how well
plants survive
and grow
3.L.2.3
Summarize the
distinct stages
of the life cycle
of seed plants.
DE: Discovery Education
Discovery
Education
Wordbook Online
Fourth Quarter
Instructional Tasks:
World Book Online: Life
Cycles of Plants and Animals
DE UNIT: Investigating Plants
WTL: Write to Learn
Reading:
WorldBook Online:
PLANTS
Hands-On Activities
Purple Celery
Flower Power
Seeking Out Seeds
Bean-y Babies
Rooting Around
DE READING PASSAGES:
World Book Online:
Write to Learn
Butterfly Garden:
Apple Earth
Growing Up
What’s the Missing Link?
World Book Online:
PLANTS
Power of Pollination
Sprouting Radish Seeds
Seed Race
3rdGrade Science—4th Grading Period
3.L.2.4 Explain
how the basic
properties of
soil to support
the growth
and survival of
many plants.
DE: Discovery Education
WTL: Write to Learn