Understanding the Animal Kingdom

Lesson 21
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ELA

Unit 4

3rd Grade

Lesson 21 of 23

Objective


Design an animal and defend if the animal would or would not survive in a particular environment.

Readings and Materials


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Target Task


Writing Prompt

Using what you know about animal characteristics, life cycles, and adaptations, design an animal that you think is best suited for survival in a variety of habitats.

Defend if your animal would or would not survive in a particular environment. 

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Common Core Standards


  • 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. Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence could include needs and characteristics of the organisms and habitats involved. The organisms and their habitat make up a system in which the parts depend on each other.
  • 3-LS4-4 — Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change. Clarification Statement: Examples of environmental changes could include changes in land characteristics, water distribution, temperature, food, and other organisms. Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to a single environmental change. Assessment does not include the greenhouse effect or climate change.
  • L.3.2.d — Form and use possessives.
  • SL.3.1 — Engage effectively in a range of collaborative discussions (one-on-one, in groups, and teacher-led) with diverse partners on grade 3 topics and texts, building on others' ideas and expressing their own clearly.
  • W.3.1 — Write opinion pieces on topics or texts, supporting a point of view with reasons.
  • W.3.1.a — Introduce the topic or text they are writing about, state an opinion, and create an organizational structure that lists reasons.
  • W.3.1.b — Provide reasons that support the opinion.
  • W.3.1.c — Use linking words and phrases (e.g., because, therefore, since, for example) to connect opinion and reasons.

Supporting Standards

L.3.1
L.3.2
L.3.6
SL.3.4
SL.3.5
SL.3.6
W.3.4
W.3.5
W.3.10
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Lesson 20

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Lesson 22

Lesson Map

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