Total Time: 2.5 hours of instruction

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (10 minutes)

2. Obtaining Information

A. Observing Earthworms (20 minutes)

Section 2

1. Defining and Using Models

A. Using a Simulation Model: Obtaining Food Stations (60 minutes)

B. Classifying Structures and Functions (10 minutes)

Section 3

1. Constructing an Explanation

A. Scientists Meeting: Building Understanding (25 minutes)

B. Constructing an Explanation (25 minutes)

Total Time: 2 hours

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (10 minutes)

2. Planning and Carrying Out an Investigation

A. Scientists Meeting: Planning an Investigation (20 minutes)

B. Planning an Earthworm Investigation (15 minutes)

Note: Students may need time to gather materials before moving on to Section 2.

Section 2

1. Planning and Carrying Out an Investigation

A. Conducting an Earthworm Investigation (15 minutes)

Section 3

1. Developing a Model

A. Developing an Explanatory Model (25 minutes)

B. Poster Session: Sensing Structures (20 minutes)

2. Evaluating and Communicating Information

A. Revisiting Anchor Chart (15 minutes)

Optional Extension: Animal Nervous System Study

Total Time: 2.5 hours of instruction

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Scientists Meeting: Building Understanding (15 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Obtaining Information (Invertebrates)

A. Conducting an Earthworm Observation (10 minutes)

B. Video Study: Invertebrate Movement (15 minutes)

3. Developing a Model

A. Creating an Earthworm Explanatory Model (30 minutes)

Section 2

1. Obtaining Information (Vertebrates)

A. Dissecting a Chicken Wing (30 minutes)

2. Developing a Model

A. Creating a Chicken Wing Explanatory Model (30 minutes)

B. Synthesizing Information (15 minutes)

Optional Extension: Human Musculoskeletal System

Total Time: 2 hours of instruction

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Target (5 minutes)

B. Creating a Concept Map (20 minutes)

2. Obtaining and Communicating Information

A. Jigsaw Part I: Reading in Body Covering Expert Groups (35 minutes)

Section 2

1. Obtaining and Evaluating Information

A. Jigsaw Part II: Sharing in Ecosystem Expert Groups (30 minutes)

2. Engaging in Argument

A. Constructing an Argument: Body Coverings and Ecosystem (30 minutes)

Total Time: 2.5 hours of instruction

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Observing Plant Parts (10 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Evaluating and Communicating Information

A. Diagramming Grass Plants (25 minutes)

Optional Extension: Lemon of a Lesson

Section 2

1. Obtaining Information

A. Close Reading: “Roots, Stems, Leaves, Oh My!” (25 minutes)

B. Adding to Plant Structures and Functions Anchor Chart (15 minutes)

2. Constructing Explanations

A. Back-to-Back and Face-to-Face: Trading Cards (15 minutes)

B. Adding to Concepts Scientists Think About Anchor Chart (5 minutes)

Optional Extension: Parts of Plants Experiment

Section 3

1. Evaluating and Communicating Information

A. Diagraming Plants from an Ecosystem (25 minutes)

2. Obtaining Information

A. Revisiting Plant Cards for an Ecosystem (15 minutes)

3. Evaluating and Communicating Information

A. Adding to Plant Structures and Functions Anchor Chart (10 minutes)

Total Time: 2.5 hours of instruction, plus one week for observation.

As part of their investigation, students observe the plants in Section 2 for at least one week before they can move on to Section 3. While students carry out their investigation, they should move on to Lesson Sequence 9.

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (10 minutes)

2. Planning an Investigation

A. Scientists Meeting: Planning an Investigation (35 minutes)

B. Carrying Out an Investigation: Environmental Pressures (15 minutes)

Section 2

1. Carrying Out an Investigation

A. Observing Plants

(Note: This time is spread out over one week. Times will vary.)

Section 3

1. Obtaining and Evaluating Information

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (10 minutes)

B. Scientists Meeting: Building Understanding (20 minutes)

C. Close Reading: “Oceans of Grass” (35 minutes)

2. Engaging in Argument

A. Evaluating Evidence: Grass Structured for Survival (25 minutes)

Total Time: 2 hours of instruction, plus two weeks for seed germination

As part of their investigation, students will observe the seeds in Section 2 for 10-14 days before they can move on to Section 3. While students carry out their investigation, they should move on to Lesson Sequence 10 and revisit Lesson Sequence 8.

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

B. Scientists Meeting: Building Understanding (15 minutes)

2. Carrying Out an Investigation

A. Dissecting Lima Beans (20 minutes)

Optional Extension: Corn Seed Dissection

Section 2

1. Carrying Out an Investigation

A. Creating Germination Bags (20 minutes)

B. Observing Germination Bags

(Note: This time is spread out over two weeks. Times will vary.)

Section 3

1. Obtaining Information

A. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

B. Gathering Information about Seeds (15 minutes)

C. Revisiting Germination Bags (20 minutes)

2. Evaluating and Communicating Information

A. Scientists Meeting: Building Understanding (10 minutes)

B. Creating the Seed Explanatory Model (10 minutes)

Optional Extension: Scientific Drawing Mini Lesson

Total Time: 2.5 hours of instruction

Section 1

1. Opening

A. Scientists Meeting: Building Understanding (15 minutes)

B. Reviewing Learning Targets (5 minutes)

2. Obtaining and Evaluating Information

A. Close Reading: “Seeds on the Move” (30 minutes)

B. Communicating Information (10 minutes)

Optional Extension: Biomimicry Lesson

Section 2

1. Engineering Design Cycle

A. Introducing the Challenge (10 minutes)

B. Imagining: Seed Dispersal Options (10 minutes)

C. Planning: Seed Dispersal Structure and Function (15 minutes)

D. Creating: Seed Dispersal Mechanism (15 minutes)

E. Revising: Seed Dispersal Mechanism (20 minutes)

Section 3

1. Communicating Information

A. Scientists Meeting: Building Understanding (20 minutes)

Optional Extension: Seed Walk

Total Time: 4 hours of instruction

Section 1

1. Engineering Design Cycle

A. Introducing the Challenge (10 minutes)

B. Imagining: Specialized Structures for the Animal (15 minutes)

C. Planning: The General Shape of the Animal (30 minutes)

D. Praise, Question, Suggestion: The General Shape of the Animal (15 minutes)

Optional Extension: Focused Art Lesson

E. Creating: The Details of the Animal (30 minutes)

F. Praise, Question, Suggestion: The Details of the Animal (10 minutes)

G. Revising: The Final Drawing of the Animal (35 minutes)

Optional Extension: Additional Rounds of Peer Critique

Section 2

1. Developing and Using Models

A. Labeling the Explanatory Model (15 minutes)

2. Engaging in Argument

A. Scientists Meetings: Making Meaning (20 minutes)

B. Analyzing a Model Survival Argument (15 minutes)

C. Summative Assessment: Survival Argument (30 minutes)

Section 3

1. Communicating Information

A. Reflecting on Learning (5 minutes)

B. Celebrating Learning (10 minutes)

Optional Extension: Dim Award Ceremony