Content+Standards



**Life Sciences ** 
 * //Students demonstrate an understanding of how living systems function and how they interact with//** **//the physical environment. This includes an understanding of the cycling of matter and flow of//** **//energy in living systems. An understanding of the characteristics, structure and function of cells,//** **//organisms and living systems will be developed. Students will also develop a deeper understanding//** **//of the principles of heredity, biological evolution, and the diversity and interdependence of life.//** **//Students demonstrate an understanding of different historical perspectives, scientific approaches and emerging scientific issues associated with the life sciences.//**


 * Benchmark A: Differentiate between the life cycles of different plants and animals. **

1. Compare the life cycles of different animals including birth to adulthood, reproduction and death (e.g., egg-tadpole-frog, egg-caterpillar-chrysalis-butterfly).

**Benchmark B: Analyze plant and animal structures and functions needed for survival and describe the flow of energy through a system that all organisms use to survive**.

2. Relate animal structures to their specific survival functions (e.g., obtaining food, escaping or hiding from enemies). 3. Classify animals according to their characteristics (e.g., body coverings and body structure). 
 * Benchmark C: Compare changes in an organism's ecosystem/habitat that affect its survival. **

4. Use examples to explain that extinct organisms may resemble organisms that are alive today. 5. Observe and explore how fossils provide evidence about animals that lived long ago and the nature of the environment at that time. 6. Describe how changes in an organism's habitat are sometimes beneficial and sometimes harmful.