Strand 4.1: ORGANISMS FUNCTIONING IN THEIR ENVIRONMENTThrough the study of organisms, inferences can be made about environments both past and  present. Plants and animals have both internal and external structures that serve various functions for growth, survival, behavior, and reproduction. Animals use different sense receptors specialized for particular kinds of information to understand and respond to their environment. Some kinds of plants and animals that once lived on Earth can no longer be found. However, fossils from these organisms provide evidence about the ...

Strand 3.1: WEATHER AND CLIMATE PATTERNSWeather is a minute-by-minute, day-by-day variation of the atmosphere’s condition on a local scale. Scientists record patterns of weather across different times and areas so that they can make weather forecasts. Climate describes a range of an area’s typical weather conditions and the extent to which those conditions vary over a long period of time. A variety of weatherrelated hazards result from natural processes. While humans cannot eliminate natural hazards, they can take steps to reduce their impact. „ Standard 3.1.1 Analyze and...

Strand 2.1: CHANGES IN THE EARTH’S SURFACEEarth has an ancient history of slow and gradual surface changes, punctuated with quick but powerful geologic events like volcanic eruptions, flooding, and earthquakes. Water and wind play a significant role in changing Earth’s surface. The effects of wind and water can cause both slow and quick changes to the surface of the Earth. Scientists and engineers design solutions to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the land. „ Standard 2.1.1 Develop and use models illustrating the patterns of landforms andwater on Earth. (ESS2.B) „...

Strand 1.1: SEASONS AND SPACE PATTERNSSeasonal patterns of motion of the Sun, Moon, and stars can be observed, described, and predicted. These patterns may vary depending on the region, location, or time of year. „ Standard 1.1.1 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the movementof the Sun, Moon, and stars to describe predictable patterns.  (ESS1.A) „ Standard 1.1.2 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the patternsobserved at different times of the year to relate the amount of daylight tothe time of year.  (ESS1.B) „ Standard 1.1.3 Design a device that...