--- title: 3-LS4-2 Lesson Plans | Variation, Survival, and Reproduction description: "3-LS4-2: Variation, Survival, and Reproduction Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing." image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # 3-LS4-2: Variation, Survival, and Reproduction Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Asking questions and defining problems](https://www.knowatom.com/asking-questions-and-defining-problems) - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Analyzing and interpreting data](https://www.knowatom.com/analyzing-and-interpreting-data) - [Using mathematics and computational thinking](https://www.knowatom.com/using-mathematics-and-computational-thinking) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Structure and Function](https://www.knowatom.com/structure-and-function) - [Inheritance of Traits](https://www.knowatom.com/inheritance-of-traits) - [Variation of Traits](https://www.knowatom.com/variation-of-traits) - [Natural Selection](https://www.knowatom.com/natural-selection) - [Adaptation](https://www.knowatom.com/adaptation) - [Biodiversity and Humans](https://www.knowatom.com/biodiversity-and-humans) Crosscutting Concepts - [Systems and System Models](https://www.knowatom.com/systems-and-system-models) - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse 3-LS4-2 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Mealworm-Senses11.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/mealworm-senses) ## [Mealworm Senses In this unit, students focus on the science phenomena of sensory structures that allow animals to process information from the environment, and then use that information to influence their behaviors. This page showcases key components of this lesson.  ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/mealworm-senses) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/mealworm-senses) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Selecting-Traits.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/selecting-traits) ## [Selecting Traits In this lesson, students explore the phenomena of senses to uncover how certain traits give individual organisms a survival advantage. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.  ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/selecting-traits) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/4th-grade-science/selecting-traits) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-12-20-18-3990-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/life-cycles) ## [Life Cycles In this unit, students focus on individual organisms, analyzing the science phenomena of life cycles and the inheritance of traits. This lesson has students observing the patterns caused by the changes an organism goes through as it moves through its life cycle. This page is a high-level extract from the first lesson in this unit.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/life-cycles) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/life-cycles) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-12-29-08-9517-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) ## [Heredity and Traits In this unit, students discover the life cycles of different organisms, tracing how individuals move from birth to growth, reproduction, and death. In this lesson, students analyze the science phenomena of how traits are passed down from parent to offspring. This page provides an overview of all the parts of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-08-2023-12-34-51-8368-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth-and-acid-rain) ## [Plant Growth and Acid Rain In this unit, students focus on how environmental changes impact the ability of organisms to survive, grow, and reproduce, passing their traits on to future generations. In this lesson, students continue their analysis of how a plant’s structures allow it to grow and develop, focusing on how a change in the environment such as pollution can impact a plant’s ability to complete its life cycle. Specifically, students investigate how acid rain affects the external structures of aquatic plants. This page provides an overview of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth-and-acid-rain) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/plant-growth-and-acid-rain) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-08-2023-12-34-24-7924-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/ecosytem-dynamics) ## [Ecosystem Dynamics In this unit, students evaluate the science phenomena of how a change to an ecosystem can impact the living things that make it up. In this lesson, students explore how a change to the kind of plants in an environment results in a ripple effect phenomena on predation in the area. This page is a high-level extract of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/ecosytem-dynamics) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/5th-grade-science/ecosytem-dynamics) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. 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