Unit Plan 13 (Grade 3 Science): Inherited Traits

Focus: Analyze inherited traits and variations using real-world data from plants, animals, and humans.

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 explore how living things share traits with their parents but are not exact copies. Through photos, class surveys, and simple data charts, they compare traits such as eye color, fur pattern, plant height, or leaf shape. Students learn that some traits are inherited, while there is still variation among individuals in the same group. By the end, they use data to explain how traits are passed on and why not everyone looks exactly the same.

Essential Questions

• What is a trait, and how do we see traits in plants, animals, and people?
• How can we tell when a trait is inherited from parents?
• Why do organisms in the same family or group share traits but still look different from one another?
• How can we use real data and graphs to show patterns of inherited traits and variations?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Describe and give examples of traits in plants and animals, including humans (e.g., eye color, leaf shape, fur pattern).
2. Analyze simple data sets (tallies, bar graphs, picture charts) to show that offspring share many traits with their parents.
3. Identify and explain variation in traits among individuals of the same species or family group.
4. Use evidence from data (counts, graphs, photos) to support the idea that traits are inherited but not identical.
5. Create a short written or visual Inherited Traits Explanation using data from the class or provided organisms.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (NGSS-Aligned)

• 3-LS3-1 — Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and variations of these traits.
  • Example: Compare a set of parent–offspring photos or plant families to identify shared traits and differences, then record findings in a table or graph.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can name and describe traits in plants and animals (including people).
• I can read a chart or graph to see how often a trait shows up in a group.
• I can explain how traits are similar between parents and offspring and how they can also be different.
• I can use data (numbers or graphs) to back up my ideas about inherited traits and variations.
• I can make a simple poster or page that clearly shows inherited traits and differences in a group of organisms.