Grade: 3rd

28 Feb 2021

Life Cycles in Nature

August-June

Plants and animals have life cycles that are adapted to survive in distinct environments. From birth to adulthood and everything in between, the plants and animals of Ohio have interesting and unique life cycles. We will explore Greenacres’ natural areas in search of plants and animals in different life stages.

Ohio Science Standards

  • LS Grade 3: Plants and animals have life cycles that are part of their adaptations for survival in their natural environments

NGSS Standards

  • 3-LS1-1. Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
  • 3-LS3-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms
  • 3-LS4-2. Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing

Video Introduction, Poster, and Vocabulary:

life cycle, egg, larvae, pupae, adult, seed, traits, investigate, observe

26 Feb 2021

Maple Discovery (K- 3rd)

Jan 21-Feb 25, 2026

Maple sugaring is the tradition of making maple syrup from the sap gathered from maple trees in late winter. Many animals and people benefit by using the sap of maple trees. Plan to visit our sugar bush and our working evaporator at Greenacres as you use your senses to discover how maple sap is turned into syrup. (Jan 21-Feb 26, 2026)

Ohio Science Standards:

  • SIPA Grade K-2: Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.
  • LS Grade K: Living things have specific characteristics and traits.
  • LS Grade K: Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
  • ESS Grade 1: Weather changes are long-term and short-term.
  • ESS Grade 1: The sun is the principal source of energy.
  • ESS Grade 1: Water on Earth is present in many forms.
  • LS Grade 1: Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.
  • LS Grade 1: Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs.
  • ESS Grade 2: Long and short term weather changes occur due to changes in energy.
  • LS Grade 2: Living things cause changes on earth.
  • LS Grade 3: Individuals of the same kind of organism differ in their inherited traits. These differences give some individuals an advantage in surviving and or reproducing.

NGSS Standards:

  • K-LS1-1. Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
  • 1-ESS1-2. Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.
  • 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
  • 3-LS3-2. Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment

    Vocabulary:

    spiles, sap, gallons, sugar shack, sugar bush, evaporation, tap, sapsucker

    Video Introduction: CLICK HERE for Maple video with a Greenacres educator

    24 Feb 2021

    Adaptations in Nature

    August-June

    Plants and animals have different adaptations and life cycles that increase their chances of survival within their environment. Explore the field and forest at Greenacres to look for some unique plant and animal bodies and behaviors. 

    Ohio Science Standards

    • LS Grade 3: Individuals of the same kind differ in their traits and sometimes the differences give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing.
    • LS Grade 3: Plants and animals have life cycles that are part of their adaptations for survival in their natural environments

    NGSS Standards

    • 3-LS2-1. Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
    • 3-LS3-2. Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment
    • 3-LS4-2. Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing
    • 3-LS4-3. Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

    Video Introduction and Vocabulary:

    behavior, body parts, trait, survive, physical features, adaptation, life cycles

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