Focus: This unit helps students to make the connection between structure and function at all levels of biological organization. Cell, tissues, organs, and organ systems are investigated through the lens of structure and function—things look like they do as a reflection of their functions. The cells of a leaf, the tissues of the skin, and the respiratory system of a giant ape—they all can be understood when students know that structure and function are related.
- Students will construct an argument to show that in plants and animals, any structural level supports survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
- Through reading and classroom activities, students will explore human hearing and visual systems.
- Students will develop a model to describe how an organism’s senses help it to survive and explore examples of stimulus and response in animals and plants.
Students also learn that engineers use their knowledge of structure and function as they develop solutions to problems associated with human hearing and sight.
Number of Lessons: 14
Lesson Time: 30–45 minutes daily. Each lesson may be divided into shorter segments.
Please note that certain lessons in this unit are designed for multiple days, resulting in approximately 20 days of instruction. For more information, please refer to the recommended Pacing Guide within the Teacher Guide.
Additional Search Terms:
structure • function • cell • tissue • organ • system • biological organization • survival • reproduction • growth • behavior • stimulus • response • tropism • sense • visual system • auditory system • nonfiction • informational text
CKSci Grade Levels: CKSci units are correlated to topics at the grade levels specified in the K–5 Core Knowledge Science Sequence.
