Standard: Science

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

28 Feb 2021

Weather: Air and Water

August-June

Changes in weather impact the survival of local plants and animals. Students will use tools to measure the water, wind, and temperature at Greenacres and see how these conditions affect living things in nature

Ohio Science Standards

  • ESS Grade 2: The atmosphere is made up of air.
  • ESS Grade 2: Water is present in the air.
  • ESS Grade 2: Long- and short-term weather changes occur due to changes in energy

NGSS Standards

  •  2-ESS2-3. Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid.

    Video Introduction and Vocabulary:

    weather, atmosphere, wind, temperature, water cycle, sun, clouds, evaporation, precipitation, condensation

    28 Feb 2021

    Plants, Seeds and Pollinators

    April – October

    Many plants and pollinators need each other to survive.  Discover the surprising interactions between these unique pairs while exploring the fields and forests at Greenacres.  This program will focus on the characteristics of plants and pollinators that make them partners.

    Ohio Science Standards

    • SWK Grade K-2: The world is discovered through exploration.
    • LS Grade 2: Living things cause changes on Earth.

    NGSS Standards

    • 2-LS2-2. Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.
    • 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

    Video Introduction and Vocabulary:

    habitat, bud, stem, leaf, root, thorn, bark, flower, seed, insect, pollination

    28 Feb 2021

    Habitat Builders

    August-June

    Little actions can make big changes to our habitats at Greenacres. Come explore how plants and animals interact with other living things and even non-living things while finding food, exploring their surroundings and building homes.

    Ohio Science Standards

    • LS Grade 2: Living things cause changes on Earth.

    NGSS Standards

    • 2-LS4-1. Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

    Autumn, Winter and Spring Posters and Vocabulary:

    habitat, forest, field, stream, biotic, abiotic

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