Plants and animals have predictable life cycles. Students know that organisms reproduce offspring of their own kind and that the offspring resemble their parents and one another. Students know the sequential stages of life cycles are different for different animals, such as butterflies, frogs, and mice. Students know many characteristics of an organism are inherited from the parents. Some characteristics are caused or influenced by the environment.
Students know there is variation among individuals of one kind within a population.
Students know light, gravity, touch, or environmental stress can affect the germination, growth, and development of plants. Students know flowers and fruits are associated with reproduction in plants. Earth is made of materials that have distinct properties and provide resources for human activities. Students know smaller rocks come from the breakage and weathering of larger rocks. Students know that soil is made partly from weathered rock and partly from organic materials and that soils differ in their color, texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth of many kinds of plants.