North Carolina Science Essential Standards
Grade Two Unit Planning Pack
Subject Area/Grade: Life Science, Grade 2
1 Unit Theme:
(to be completed by the unit organizer)
2 Conceptual Lens:
(to be completed by the unit organizer)
3 Identify the Big Ideas:
(Align to Essential Standards)
Patterns
Structures and Function
Stability and Change
4 Enduring Understanding
(Generalizations)
 Life cycles follow predictable patterns
 Animals have predictable characteristics at different stages
 Animals grow and change
5 Essential Questions
(Guiding Questions)
What is a life cycle?
What are the stages of a life cycle?
How do life cycles of different animals compare?
How do adults help support the growth of younger animals?
NC Science Essential Standards
2.L.1 Understand animal life cycles.
2.L.1.1 Summarize the life cycle of animals:
• Birth
• Developing into an adult
• Reproducing
• Aging and death
Title:Structures and Function of Living Things
2.L.1.2 Compare life cycles of different animals such as, but not limited to, mealworms, ladybugs, crickets, guppies or
frogs
Essential Terminology
Birth; adult, reproduce, age, death, lifecycle
GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS:
How do animals grow and change? http://www.eduplace.com/science/hmsc/content/organizer/1/org_1a_2_3.pdf
Baby animals http://www.eduplace.com/science/hmsc/content/organizer/2/org_2a_3.pdf
Butterfly life cycle http://www.eduplace.com/science/hmsc/content/organizer/2/org_2a_3_2.pdf
Cycle graphic organizers http://www.enchantedlearning.com/graphicorganizers/cycle/
Science For All Americans
(minimum ADULT content knowledge)
http://www.project2061.org/publications/sfaa/online/chap6.htm#8
NGSS Framework
LS1.B: GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANISMS
How do organisms grow and develop?
The characteristic structures, functions, and behaviors of organisms change in predictable ways as they progress from birth to old age. For
example, upon reaching adulthood, organisms can reproduce and transfer their genetic information to their offspring. Animals engage in
behaviors that increase their chances for reproduction, and plants may develop specialized structures and/or depend on animal behavior to
accomplish reproduction.
Understanding how a single cell can give rise to a complex, multicellular organism builds on the concepts of cell division and gene
expression. In multi- cellular organisms, cell division is an essential component of growth, development, and repair. Cell division occurs via
a process called mitosis: when a cell divides in two, it passes identical genetic material to two daughter cells. Successive divisions produce
many cells. Although the genetic material in each of the cells is identical, small differences in the immediate environments activate or
inactivate different genes, which can cause the cells to develop slightly differently. This process of differentiation allows the body to form
specialized cells that perform diverse functions, even though they are all descended from a single cell, the fertilized egg. Cell growth and
differentiation are the mechanisms by which a fertilized egg develops into a complex organism. In sexual reproduction, a specialized type of
cell division called meiosis occurs and results in the production of sex cells, such as gametes (sperm and eggs) or spores, which contain
only one member from each chromo- some pair in the parent cell.
Grade Band Endpoints for LS1.B
By the end of grade 2. Plants and animals have predictable characteristics at different stages of development. Plants and animals grow and
change. Adult plants and animals can have young. In many kinds of animals, parents and the offspring themselves engage in behaviors
that help the offspring to survive.
By the end of grade 5. Reproduction is essential to the continued existence of every kind of organism. Plants and animals have unique and
diverse life cycles that include being born (sprouting in plants), growing, developing into adults, reproducing, and eventually dying.
Unpacked Content (for students)
2.L.1.1Students know that animals experience a cycle of life which begins with birth, then a period of time in which the
animal develops into an adult. At adulthood, animals reproduce in order to sustain their species. In nature, all animals
are programmed to age and eventually die. The details of the life cycle are different for specific animals.
2.L.1.2
Students know that different animals spend varying periods of time in each stage of the life cycle and that some animals
have few stages, while others have several. Students know that animals might look the same, similar, or completely
different at specific stages of development. Students know that animals may have varied needs at different stages of
development, and may occupy unique habitats according to these needs.
Identify Student Misconceptions
*Construct formative assessment probes – see ‘how to’ on pages 85, 102, and 183 in Science Formative Assessment by
Page Keeley.
Use formative probes: Uncovering Student ideas in Science, Volumes 1-4, by Page Keeley
(I) Volume 1 Is it an animal? p. 117
( II) Volume 3 Does it have a life cycle? p. 111
(III) Volume 3 Sam’s
Puppy p. 125 (iV) Volume 4 Chicken Eggs p.105 (modify for grade 2)
Formative Assessment Probes (articles, how-to, free-online) by Page Keeley, et al
http://pal.lternet.edu/docs/outreach/educators/education_pedagogy_research/assessment_probes_uncovering_student_id
eas.pdf
http://www.ode.state.or.us/teachlearn/subjects/science/resources/msef2010-formative_assessment_probes.pdf
North Carolina Connections: (local and state resources)
Imagination Station Science Museum
Interactive programs are designed to promote student investigation into various science concepts. 224 East Nash Street,
Wilson, NC 27894 Phone (252) 291-5113.
North Carolina Museum of Life and Science
Experience how inquiry-based teaching energizes your students and encourages science discovery. 433 West Murray
Avenue (street address), P.O. Box 15190, Durham, NC 27704, (919) 220-5429
SciWorks, the Science Center and Environmental Park of Forsyth County
Enjoy interactive, hands-on special exhibits and programs in spacious exhibit halls. 400 West Hanes Mill Rd., WinstonSalem, (336) 767-6730
North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences
The largest Museum of its kind in the southeast. Wonderful collections and installations related to ecology.
11 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC
TEACHER Resources
Butterfly Life Cycle
http://www.kidsbutterfly.org/
Comparing Life cycles of different animals.
http://gets.gc.k12.va.us/elementary/lifecycles/index.htm
Video of monarch life cycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ry4hqn0WD60
Video of ladybug life cycle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvHWxDjfFB8&feature=related
Journey North Monarch Butterfly Migration Project
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/monarch/index.html
Observing the life cycle of a butterfly
http://sciencenetlinks.com/lessons/butterfly-1-observing-the-life-cycle-of-a-butterfly/
Puppeteer version of monarch life cycle. Has Arts integration opportunities.
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/multimedia/VideoStories/hobey-ford/hobey-ford-butterfly.aspx
Dancing the life cycle of the butterfly- arts integration
http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/educators/lessons/grade-k-2/Butterfly_Dance.aspx#Instruction
Mealworm facts, life cycle activities
http://www.ehow.com/info_8337774_mealworms-kids.html
Butterfly life cycle activities
http://www.enchantedlearning.com/subjects/butterflies/activities/
North American Butterfly Association
http://www.naba.org/
Project Wild
http://www.projectwild.org/overview.htm
This is a supplementary, interdisciplinary, instructional program focused on wildlife that is helpful for educators of students
in kindergarten through high school
Project learning Tree
http://www.plt.org/
An award-winning environmental education program designed for teachers and other educators, parents, and community
leaders working with youth from preschool through grade 12.
N.C. Environmental Education
http://www.ee.enr.state.nc.us/index.asp
The N.C. Office of Environmental Education in the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources was
established to increase environmental literacy and natural resource stewardship in North Carolina by encouraging,
promoting and supporting environmental education programs, facilities and resources throughout the state.
The office serves as North Carolina’s clearinghouse, or central source, for all of the environmental education resources in
the state.
Bee life cycle
http://library.thinkquest.org/5382/lifecycle.html
Butterfly life cycle
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002124/lcycle.htm
Looking at life cycles
http://www.bbsrc.ac.uk/web/FILES/Resources/discovery6.pdf
Dragonfly TV (video and lessons)
http://pbskids.org/dragonflytv/show/butterflywings.html
Creature Features (search by animal)
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/monarch-butterflies/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/ladybug/
http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/red-eyed-tree-frogs/
Smart Exchange
http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html
A directory of Smart Board lessons that teachers can download and use.
Teachers Domain
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdc02.sci.life.cyc.lp_lifecycle/
frogs, dragonflies and butterflies, video and lesson with card matching
READING Resources (scroll to informational text)
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/docs/acre/standards/common-core-tools/exemplar/ela.pdf
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/acre/standards/common-core-tools/
WRITING PROMPTS
1. With guidance and support from adults, use a variety of digital tools to produce and publish writing – to illustrate the
life cycle of a butterfly (or other selected organism)
2. Keep an observation log. Illustrate and record information about the organism you are observing.
3. Write an informative text, which explains the life cycle of an organism. Describe what happens at each stage.
4. Create an opinion piece: Write a description of the most beautiful butterfly you have ever seen.
5. Write an imaginary story about the day you turned into a butterfly.