LOS ANGELES UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
"Standards-Based Instruction Model"*

Subject/Course Science Grade Level K-3 Standard #(s) 31 Standard(s) (What students should be able to do) Identify the characteristics of living things, including humans, and how they interact with each other, and ways they adapt to their changing environment. (Life Science)

District Elementary Course of Study (Concepts) or Secondary Guidelines for Instruction (Instructional Unit) Life Science

Developed by Belia G. McConnell and Eileen Washington School Wilmington Park and M.L. King Elementary Cluster # 27 and 16 Phone (310) 830-8404 or (213) 294-0031
 

CULMINATING 
TASK/ASSIGNMENT 

What will the individual student produce to demonstrate achievement of the standard(s)? 

Begin the task with a verb.

 ASSESSMENT 

What criteria will be used to evaluate/score student work/performance of the culminating task? 

  

The statement of the product to be scored is followed by a verb.
Talk or write about how living and nonliving things act upon one another and how they change their ways in a terrarium. Participate in a final interview (grades K-1) or produce an oral/written report (grades 2-3). The talk/report:  4: Identifies living things and nonliving things in the terrarium, how they interact with each other, and what changes they make.                                                                                                           

3: Identifies most living things and nonliving things in the terrarium, how they interact with each other, and some changes they make. 

2: Identifies only a few living things and nonliving things in the terrarium, gives only a few instances of how they interact with each other, and only a few changes they make. 

1: Does not identify living things and nonliving things in the terrarium, how they interact with each other, or changes they make. 
 
INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES / TIME 

What learning activities will the student be involved in to acquire content knowledge and skills to achieve the standard? Consider alternative strategies and modifications to promote equal access for all learners. 

How much time will be required for the student to complete each of the activities? 

Begin each learning activity with a verb describing what the student is to do.

 RESOURCES 

What materials, textbooks, supplies, documents, etc., will support the student doing each instructional activity?
  • Review photos of different types of terrariums. (20 min) 
  • Experiment with seeds, seedlings, and plants by testing variables with air, soil, light, and water. (1-2 wk)
  • Discuss characteristics of living and nonliving things. Show pictures. (20 min)
  • Classify and sort pictures of living vs. nonliving things. (20 min)
  • Observe, discuss, and collect data of living and nonliving things by going on a walking trip outdoors. (30 min) 
  • Analyze data collected during the nature walk using brainstorming and webbing strategies. (30 min)
  • Prepare the terrarium.  (30 min)
  • Collect two living things and two nonliving things that will fit inside the terrarium. Discuss appropriateness of items collected, i.e., sowbugs, earthworms, snails, plants, rocks, wood, twigs, etc. (1 hr)
  • Plant living elements and arrange nonliving elements within the terrarium. (30 min)
  • Monitor terrariums for at least two weeks and continuously determine what changes are necessary to maintain a healthy environment for living things. (10 min per day) 
 Las Plantas Laminas y Paginas para Copiar, Jo Ellen Moore and Joy Evans. Spanish translation by Dora Ficklin and Liz Wolfe. Evans/Moor Corp. 18 Lower Ragdale Drive, Monterey, California. 93940-5746, Entire contents 1986. Spanish Edition, copyright 1992.   

Elementary School Course of Study, Publication No. EC 606.   

Paper, pencils, crayons, pictures of terrariums, magazine cutouts of living and nonliving elements, clear plastic containers with lids, charcoal, pebbles, water, and soil.
 

*Model developed, refined, and field-tested by Task Force on Standards-Based Instruction (see reverse) ã 1997, Los Angeles Unified School District