--- title: Lessons for Natural Selection | K-8 Grade description: Natural Selection Disciplinary Core Ideas 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/) # Natural Selection Disciplinary Core Ideas [![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) ## Lessons for Natural Selection Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](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/image3-Oct-09-2023-07-06-52-0262-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/dna-and-mutations) ## [DNA and Mutations In this unit, students explore science phenomena including reproduction, DNA, and inherited traits. In this lesson, students investigate how mutations are a phenomena caused by structural changes to the DNA. This page highlights key components of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/dna-and-mutations) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/dna-and-mutations) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image4-Oct-09-2023-07-13-15-5068-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection) ## [Natural Selection In this unit, students figure out the interconnectedness of genetics, heredity, and evolution. For this lesson, students create an experiment to observe the phenomenon of natural selection determining which organisms are most likely to survive and pass on their traits. This page showcases parts of key components of the lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/natural-selection) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-09-2023-07-13-17-8405-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) ## [Heredity and Traits In this unit, students apply what they know about genes and heredity to evolution, focusing on how both genetic information and the environment influence the phenomena of how a population develops over time. In this lesson, students explore the phenomena of how adaptations help some organisms survive. Students also investigate artificial selection. This page showcases key parts of this lesson.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/8th-grade-science/heredity-and-traits) [![](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/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) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image1-Oct-08-2023-08-54-59-8029-PM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/life-on-earth) ## [Life on Earth In this unit, students explore the phenomena of diversity of life on Earth and consider how living things pass on traits to their offspring while also adapting to meet the needs of the environment. In this lesson, students figure out how scientists use the fossil record for clues to how life has evolved over time. This page highlights key parts of this lesson. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/life-on-earth) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/6th-grade-science/life-on-earth) 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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