Standard 4
Science

Students will: understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

The Living Environment

 

Key Ideas: Numbers
Performance Indicators: Bullets

 

Students will:

Elementary

Intermediate

Commencement

4. The continuity of life is sustained through
reproduction and development.
• describe the major stages in the life cycles of selected plants and animals

• describe evidence of growth, repair, and maintenance, such as nails, hair, and bone, and the healing of cuts and bruises

 • observe and describe the variations in reproductive patterns of organisms, including asexual and sexual reproduction

• explain the role of sperm and egg cells in sexual reproduction

• observe and describe developmental patterns in selected plants and animals (e.g., insects, frogs, humans, seed-bearing plants)

• observe and describe cell division at the microscopic level and its macroscopic effects

 • explain how organisms, including humans, reproduce their own kind

5. Organisms maintain a dynamic equilibrium
that sustains life.
• describe basic life functions of common living specimens (guppy, mealworm, gerbil)

• describe some survival behaviors of common living specimens

• describe the factors that help promote good health and growth in humans

 • compare the way a variety of living specimens carry out basic life functions and maintain dynamic equilibrium

• describe the importance of major nutrients, vitamins, and minerals in maintaining health and promoting growth and explain the need for a constant input of energy for living organisms

 • explain the basic biochemical processes in living organisms and their importance in maintaining dynamic equilibrium

• explain disease as a failure of homeostasis

• relate processes at the system level to the cellular level in order to explain dynamic equilibrium in multicelled organisms systems, tissues, cells, organelles)

6. Plants and animals depend on each other
and their physical environment.
• describe how plants and animals, including humans, depend upon each other and the nonliving environment

• describe the relationship of the sun as an energy source for living and nonliving cycles

 • describe the flow of energy and matter through food chains and food webs

• provide evidence that green plants make food and explain the significance of this process to other organisms

 • explain factors that limit growth of individuals and populations

• explain the importance of preserving diversity of species and habitats

• explain how the living and nonliving environments change over time and respond to disturbances

7. Human decisions and activities have had a profound impact
on the physical and living environment.
• identify ways in which humans have changed their environment and the effects of those changes • describe how living things, including humans, depend upon the living and nonliving environment for their survival

• describe the effects of environmental changes on humans and other populations

 • describe the range of interrelationships of humans with the living and nonliving environment

• explain the impact of technological development and growth in the human population on the living and nonliving environment

• explain how individual choices and societal actions can contribute to improving the environment