Gather and organize facts about two different arthropods in order to explain how they are similar and how they are different in their features, habitats, and adaptations.

Materials

Compare and Contrast Matrix 1 (G3, U4, L5)
Compare and Contrast Matrix - Arthropod Sample Response (G3, U4, L5)
Compare and Contrast Matrix - Mollusk Sample Response (G3, U4, L5)

Standards

RI.3.9W.3.2W.3.7W.3.8

Day 2 - Drafting

Plan and draft an informational paragraph that compares two arthropods by explaining how they are similar and how they are different in their features, habitats, and adaptations, using facts gathered from research.

Materials

Single Paragraph Outline
Compare and Contrast Matrix 1 (G3, U4, L5)
Compare and Contrast Matrix - Mollusk Sample Response (G3, U4, L5)

Standards

W.3.2W.3.2.aW.3.2.bW.3.4W.3.5

Day 3 - Revision & Editing

Revise an informational paragraph by replacing general or unclear words with specific facts and details that clearly compare two arthropods.

Standards

W.3.2W.3.2.bW.3.5

Lesson

Explain what characteristics all fish and amphibians share and how they vary.

Materials

What is the Animal Kingdom? pp. 16–21

Standards

L.3.1.aL.3.1.fRI.3.3RI.3.7RI.3.8

Lesson

Explain what characteristics all reptiles, birds, and mammals share and how they vary.

Materials

What is the Animal Kingdom? pp. 22–27

Standards

L.3.1.aL.3.1.fRI.3.3RI.3.7RI.3.8

Lesson

Writing

Overview

Gather and organize information to explain how different reptiles can be alike in some ways and different in others.

Day 1 - Researching

Gather and organize facts about two different reptiles in order to explain how they are similar and how they are different in their features, habitats, and adaptations.

Materials

Mentor Text (G3, U4, L8)
Compare and Contrast Matrix 2 (G3, U4, L8)
Compare and Contrast Matrix - Reptile Sample Response (G3, U4, L8)

Standards

RI.3.9W.3.2W.3.7W.3.8

Day 2 - Drafting

Plan and draft an informational paragraph that compares two reptiles by explaining how they are similar and how they are different in their features, habitats, and adaptations, using facts gathered from research.

Materials

Single Paragraph Outline
Single Paragraph Outline Sample Response (G3, U4, L8)
Compare and Contrast Matrix 2 (G3, U4, L8)
Compare and Contrast Matrix - Mammal Sample Response (G3, U4, L8)

Standards

W.3.2W.3.2.aW.3.2.bW.3.2.cW.3.2.dW.3.4W.3.5

Day 3 - Revision & Editing

Revise an informational paragraph by replacing general or unclear words with specific, relevant facts, and definitions.

Materials

Compare and Contrast Matrix 2 (G3, U4, L8)

Standards

W.3.2W.3.2.bW.3.5

Lesson

Discussion

Analyze and debate unit Essential Questions using details and understandings from the text.

Standards

SL.3.1SL.3.1.aSL.3.1.c

Lesson

Describe the different stages of a life cycle and why the continuation of a life cycle is important for the survival of a species.

Materials

What is a Life Cycle? — pp. 4–5, 8–13

Standards

RI.3.3RI.3.7

Lesson

Explain how amphibian and reptile life cycles are different.

Materials

What is a Life Cycle? — pp. 14–15, 16–17

Standards

L.3.1.aL.3.1.fRI.3.3RI.3.7RI.3.8

Lesson

Writing

Explain the stages of a ladybug beetle and/or a frog life cycle.

Materials

Single Paragraph Outline
Single Paragraph Outline: Butterfly Sample Response (G3, U4, L12)
Life Cycle Diagrams (G3, U4)

Standards

W.3.2W.3.2.aW.3.2.bW.3.8

Lesson

Explain how fish, bird, and mammal life cycles are different.

Materials

What is a Life Cycle? — pp. 18–19, 20–21, 22–25

Standards

L.3.1.aL.3.1.fRI.3.3RI.3.7

Lesson

Language

Form and appropriately use comparative and superlative adjectives and adverbs.

Materials

Animal Facts Matrix (G3, U4, L14)

Standards

L.3.1.g

Lesson

Writing

Overview

Describe the life cycle of an organism by using information from the text to support an idea.

Day 1 - Researching

Research one organism, gathering key details about each stage of its life cycle using an organized note-taking structure.

Materials

Life Cycle Two Column Notes (G3, U4, L15)
Life Cycle Two Column Notes Sample Response (G3, U4, L15)
Life Cycle Diagram Sample Response (G3, U4, L15, D1)
Life Cycle Diagrams (G3, U4) — Optional

Standards

W.3.7

Day 2 - Drafting

Explain the stages of an organism's life cycle.

Materials

Life Cycle Two Column Notes (G3, U4, L15) — Completed

Standards

W.3.2W.3.2.aW.3.2.bW.3.2.cW.3.2.dW.3.4

Day 3 - Revision & Editing

Revise an informational paragraph about an organism's life cycle based on peer feedback, choosing the most appropriate revision strategies to make writing clearer.

Standards

W.3.2W.3.4W.3.5

Lesson

Discussion

Analyze and debate unit Essential Questions using details and understandings from the text.

Standards

SL.3.1SL.3.1.aSL.3.1.c

Lesson

Explain the connection between evolution and adaptation and give an example of how an animal has evolved in order to survive.

Materials

How Do Animals Adapt? pp. 4–9
Skull Image Set (G3, U4)

Standards

L.3.1.gRI.3.3RI.3.7

Lesson

Explain how the environment in which an animal lives impacts the way an animal adapts and why different adaptations are needed.

Materials

How Do Animals Adapt? pp. 10–17
Skull Image Set (G3, U4)

Standards

L.3.1.gRI.3.3RI.3.7RI.3.8

Lesson

Explain how the environment in which an animal lives impacts the way an animal adapts and why different adaptations are needed.

Materials

How Do Animals Adapt? pp. 18–23
Skull Image Set (G3, U4)

Standards

L.3.1.gRI.3.2RI.3.3

Lesson

Explain how the environment in which an animal lives impacts the way an animal adapts and why different adaptations are needed.

Materials

How Do Animals Adapt? — pp. 24–end
Skull Image Set (G3, U4)

Standards

L.3.1.gRI.3.3RI.3.7

Lesson

Writing

Overview

Design an animal and write an opinion paragraph explaining if it would survive in a particular environment, using evidence about characteristics, life cycles, and adaptations.

Day 1 - Brainstorming

Brainstorm and plan an original animal design by describing its features, life cycle, and adaptations.

Materials