Strand 2.1: CHANGES IN THE EARTH’S SURFACE
Earth 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 and
water on Earth. (ESS2.B)

„ Standard 2.1.2 Construct an explanation about changes in Earth’s surface that happen
quickly or slowly. Emphasize the contrast between fast and slow changes. (ESS1.C)

„ Standard 2.1.3 Design solutions to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the
shape of land. Define the problem by asking questions and gathering
information, convey designs through sketches, drawings, or physical models,
and compare and test designs. (ESS2.A, ESS2.C, ETS1.A, ETS1.B, ETS1.C)

Strand 2.2: LIVING THINGS AND THEIR HABITATS
Living things (plants and animals, including humans) need water, air, and resources from the land to survive and live in habitats that provide these necessities. The physical characteristics of plants and animals reflect the habitat in which they live. Animals also have modified behaviors that help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Humans sometimes mimic plant and animal adaptations to survive in their environment.

„ Standard 2.2.1 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about patterns
of living things (plants and animals, including humans) in different
habitats. Emphasize the diversity of living things in land and water
habitats. (LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D)

„ Standard 2.2.2 Plan and carry out an investigation of the structure and function of
plant and animal parts in different habitats. Emphasize how different
plants and animals have different structures to survive in their habitat.
(LS1.A, LS4.A, LS4.D)

„ Standard 2.2.3 Develop and use a model that mimics the function of an animal
dispersing seeds or pollinating plants. (LS2.A)

„ Standard 2.2.4 Design a solution to a human problem by mimicking the structure and
function of plants and/or animals and how they use their external parts
to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. Define the problem
by asking questions and gathering information, convey designs through
sketches, drawings, or physical models, and compare and test designs.
(LS1.A, LS1.D, ETS1.A, ETS1.B, ETS1.C)

Strand 2.3: PROPERTIES OF MATTER
All things are made of matter which exists with different forms and properties. Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties. Materials with certain properties are well-suited for specific uses. Heating or cooling some types of matter may or may not irreversibly change their properties.

„ Standard 2.3.1 Plan and carry out an investigation to classify different kinds of
materials based on patterns in their observable properties. (PS1.A)

„ Standard 2.3.2 Construct an explanation showing how the properties of materials
influence their intended use and function. (PS1.A)

„ Standard 2.3.3 Develop and use a model to describe how an object, made of a small
set of pieces, can be disassembled and reshaped into a new object with a
different function. Emphasize that a great variety of objects can be built
from a small set of pieces. (PS1.A)

„ Standard 2.3.4 Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about changes in
matter caused by heating or cooling. Emphasize that some changes can
be reversed and some cannot. (PS1.B)