Life Science · California Grade 6
MS-LS1-5
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how environmental and genetic factors influence the growth of organisms.
Clarification statement: Examples of local environmental conditions could include availability of food, light, space, and water. Examples of genetic factors could include large breed cattle and species of grass affecting growth of organisms. Examples of evidence could include drought decreasing plant growth, fertilizer increasing plant growth, different varieties of plant seeds growing at different rates in different conditions, and fish growing larger in large ponds than they do in small ponds.
Assessment boundary: Assessment does not include genetic mechanisms, gene regulation, or biochemical processes.
Chapters
Fawn mass in the Lab 3 case file and frond growth in Lab 2 show that resource supply affects how large individuals grow, not only how many there are. In the California integrated sequence this PE belongs to Grade 6, so it appears here as background that students should already have met, not as a target.
Worksheets (1)
| Chapter | Worksheet | Role | How it connects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch. 20 | W1 · The Frog That Lost Its Poison Phenomenon exploration | supports | An environmental factor (diet) changes a trait of the organism. This is a Grade 6 PE in the California integrated sequence; here it is background that helps students see 'resource' as more than 'enough food.' |
Labs (2)
| Chapter | Lab | Role | How it connects |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch. 20 | Lab 2 · Four Cups of Duckweed: Which Resource Runs Out First? Classroom field investigation | supports | Frond color and size in the dark cup and the unfed cup show that resources change how individual plants grow, which is one of this PE's own examples (fertilizer increasing plant growth). In the California integrated sequence MS-LS1-5 is a Grade 6 PE, so it appears here as background students should already have met, not as a target. |
| Ch. 20 | Lab 3 · The Cedar Hollow Case File: Deer, Cattle and the Next Dry Year Data-driven decision | supports | Average fawn mass falls in scarce years and after cattle arrive, which is evidence that food supply affects individual growth. In the California integrated sequence MS-LS1-5 is a Grade 6 PE, so it is background here, not a target. |