Unit Plan 14 (Grade 3 Science): Environmental Influences on Traits

Focus: Explain how the environment influences traits and behaviors using real-world examples and evidence.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Science (Life Science)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this unit, students move beyond inherited traits to explore how the environment can change the way organisms look, grow, or behave. Through observations, short readings, video clips, and simple investigations, they compare examples such as sunlight and plant color, nutrition and body size, and training and animal behavior. By the end of the week, students use evidence to explain that some traits and behaviors are influenced by surroundings, not just by parents.

Essential Questions

• How can the environment (food, light, temperature, experiences) change how organisms look, grow, or act?
• What is the difference between an inherited trait and a trait that is influenced by the environment?
• How can we use observations and data to support explanations about environmental effects on traits?
• Why is it important to understand how environment and traits are connected in the real world?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe and give examples of traits that are strongly influenced by environmental factors (e.g., amount of food, light, temperature, training).
2. Distinguish between inherited traits and traits/behaviors that are shaped by the environment using real examples.
3. Analyze simple data sets, images, or scenarios to identify how environmental changes affected traits or behaviors.
4. Use evidence-based language (because, for example, this shows) to explain how the environment influenced a trait or behavior in a specific case.
5. Create a short Environmental Influences Explanation (paragraph, poster, or mini-book) that clearly explains one environmental effect on traits using at least two pieces of evidence.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

• 3-LS3-2 — Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment.
  • Example: Explain how a plant grown in low light looks different from the same kind grown in bright light.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can explain that some traits are inherited from parents, and some are influenced by the environment.
• I can give at least two examples of how environmental factors (light, food, temperature, training) change traits or behaviors.
• I can look at pictures, charts, or short stories and tell how the environment affected an organism.
• I can write or draw a clear explanation that uses evidence to show how the environment changes a trait or behavior.
• I can use words like environment, trait, inherited, learned, evidence, because when I explain my thinking.