--- title: Lessons for Developing and Using Models | K-8 Grade description: Developing and using models Science and Engineering Practices 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/) # Developing and using models Science and Engineering Practices [![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) - [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 - [The Universe and Its Stars](https://www.knowatom.com/the-universe-and-its-stars) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) [![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) ## Lessons for Developing and using models Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-08-45-41-6709-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/earth-and-moon-patterns) ## [Earth and Moon Patterns In this unit, students explore observable patterns that result from Earth’s rotation and the moon’s orbit around the sun. They use these patterns to make predictions about the future appearances of the sun, moon, and stars in the sky.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/earth-and-moon-patterns) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/earth-and-moon-patterns) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Seasonal-Patterns2-1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-patterns) ## [Seasonal Patterns In this unit, students focus on the relationship between Earth’s movement in the solar system and the changing seasons, exploring seasonal patterns in the changing amounts of daylight, temperature, and the environment.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-patterns) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-patterns) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Living-and-Nonliving-Things.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/living-and-nonliving-things) ## [Living and Nonliving Things In this unit, students discover living things, beginning with an investigation into the differences between living and nonliving things. Students then explore how water helps plants grow and develop the structures they need to survive.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/living-and-nonliving-things) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/living-and-nonliving-things) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Parent-and-Offspring-Behaviors-2.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/parent-and-offspring-behaviors) ## [Parent and Offspring Behaviors In the last unit, students analyzed how engineers can mimic plant and animal structures to solve problems facing people. In this unit, students begin by exploring animal behaviors of parents and offspring that help the offspring survive.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/parent-and-offspring-behaviors) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/parent-and-offspring-behaviors) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Parent-and-Offspring-Behaviors-2.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-dams) ## [Engineering Dams In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of animal behaviors of parents and offspring that help the offspring survive. This page is a high-level extract of lesson two in which students mimic the beaver’s behavior of building dams to design their own dams that solve the problem of flooding.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-dams) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/engineering-dams) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Sound-and-Senses-2.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/sounds-and-senses) ## [Sounds and Senses In the last unit, students explored animal behaviors of parents and offspring that help the offspring survive and then designed a dam to stop the flow of water. In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of how animals communicate with one another using sound.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/sounds-and-senses) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/sounds-and-senses) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Light-2.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/light) ## [Light In the last unit, students explored the relationship between vibrations and sound. In this unit, students continue to explore the phenomena of human senses, focusing on how objects can be seen when they are illuminated by a source of light, and how light passes through opaque, transparent, and translucent materials differently. Students then investigate how a beam of light changes when it hits a mirror.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/light) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/light) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-10-22-11-9967-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/matter-and-properties) ## [Matter and Properties In 2nd grade, students conduct investigations, carry out experiments, and apply their scientific knowledge to engineer prototype solutions. In this unit, students investigate the science phenomenon of properties of different kinds of matter, connecting a material’s properties with the functions for which it is used. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/matter-and-properties) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/matter-and-properties) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-10-26-56-0229-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) ## [Earth Events In the last unit, students explored the properties of different kinds of matter, connecting a material’s properties with the functions for which it is used. In this unit, students focus on Earth materials and the science phenomena of processes that change them (specifically weathering and erosion). ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-10-28-21-7007-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) ## [Controlling Erosion In this unit, students explore the science phenomena of different processes that change Earth’s surface over time. Once students have investigated how wind and water change the shape of the land, they use their scientific knowledge to engineer a solution that prevents rainwater from washing away a sandy hillside. This page showcases key components of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/controlling-erosion) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-10-30-42-3210-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/mapping-land-and-water) ## [Mapping Land and Water In the last unit, students explored how weathering and erosion change Earth materials, and then designed an engineering solution that reduces erosion. In this unit, students are introduced to the science phenomena of landforms on Earth’s surface, exploring how scientists use maps to represent the shapes and kinds of land and water on Earth’s surface.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/mapping-land-and-water) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/mapping-land-and-water) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-07-2023-11-29-44-7026-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/structure-of-matter) ## [Structure of Matter In 3rd grade, students ask questions and conduct experiments to explore the world around them. In this unit, students unpack the phenomena of tiny particles called atoms that make up all matter in the universe. This page showcases key parts of the first lesson in this unit.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/structure-of-matter) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/structure-of-matter) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-07-2023-11-45-35-6461-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system) ## [Motion in the Solar System In this lesson, students model the solar system and analyze Earth’s place in the system as well as how the force of gravity causes the planets to move around the sun in predictable, regular paths. This page serves to highlight the key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/3rd-grade-science/motion-in-the-solar-system) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-07-2023-10-32-25-3571-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/water-flow) ## [Water Flow In this unit, students explore the phenomena of Earth landforms and the water cycle. Once students have modeled landforms and created maps showing the shapes and kinds of land and bodies of water, students analyze how water moves over the land as it flows downhill because of gravity and cycles between solid and liquid depending on the amount of heat present. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/water-flow) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/water-flow) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-10-34-47-2249-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/habitats) ## [Habitats In the last unit, students explored patterns in land and water on Earth. They build on that knowledge in this unit with a focus on how living things are found in different habitats around the planet, and how living things depend on both living and nonliving components of their environment for survival.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/habitats) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/habitats) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "Developing and using models Science and Engineering Practices\n\n" }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```