6th - 8th Grade Module 9 Concept 3

Cycle 1

How do organisms grow and develop? What factors affect the growth of organisms?
Cycle Summary

In this Concept, students analyze data from their plant growth investigations in order to figure out that genes are not the only factor responsible for organism traits - the environment can alter the physical appearance and behaviors of organisms.

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Session 1
Elicit

Students use prior knowledge to explain what influences the growth of organisms.

Engage

Students view pictures of identical twins and ask questions about the phenomenon.

Explore

Students gather data that will serve as evidence for what factors affect plant growth.

Students graph class plant growth data from a data table and use evidence from the graph to draw conclusions about the factors that affect plant growth.

Session 2
Elicit

Students use prior knowledge to explain what influences the growth of organisms.

Engage

Students view pictures of identical twins and ask questions about the phenomenon.

Explore

Students gather data that will serve as evidence for what factors affect plant growth.

Students graph class plant growth data from a data table and use evidence from the graph to draw conclusions about the factors that affect plant growth.

Session 3
Explain

Students read text and watch videos about the factors that influence the growth and development of organisms.

Session 4
Explain

Students read text and watch videos about the factors that influence the growth and development of organisms.

Elaborate

Students use a card set to learn about specific examples of epigenetics.

Students complete a scaffolded Claim-Evidence-
Reasoning.

Session 5
Elaborate

Students use a card set to learn about specific examples of epigenetics.

Students complete a scaffolded Claim-Evidence-
Reasoning.

Session 6
Evaluate

Students complete a formative assessment, including the evaluation of two arguments about the factors that influence the growth of organisms.

Extend
Extend

Students read an article about Sarah Elgin and her contribution to epigenetics and St. Louis science education.

Students will read an article about the Dutch Hunger Winter and the effects of starvation through epigenetics.