Arizona Science Standards

   ESSENTIALS (Grades 4-8)

4SC-E1. Construct classification systems based on the structure of organisms

(Grades 4-5)
PO 1. Construct a simple classification system based on physical characteristics

PO 2. Arrange several organisms into a classification system

(Grades 6-8)
PO 1. Describe how organisms are classified

PO 2. Construct classification systems for grouping organisms

PO 3. Identify organisms based on existing classification systems

NatureWorks Episodes

1. Adaptation
2. Coloration
3. Natural Communication
4. Migration
5. Habitat
6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
13. Species Diversity
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
16. Life at Risk

4SC-E5. Describe changes or constancy in groups of organisms over geologic time

(Grades 4-5)
PO 1. Describe how organisms have changed over time

PO 2. Cite examples of organisms which have remained relatively constant

(Grades 6-8)
PO 1. Describe organism adaptations or constancy over geologic time

PO 2. Identify environmental factors that may determine adaptations or constancy of an organism over geologic time

NatureWorks Episodes

1. Adaptation
2. Coloration
3. Natural Communication
4. Migration
13. Species Diversity
14. Niche
15. Invasive Species
16. Life at Risk

4SC-E6. Describe the role of genes in heredity

(Grades 4-5)
PO 1. Define the terms heredity and genes

PO 2. Distinguish between physical characteristics which are, and are not, inherited

(Grades 6-8)
PO 1. Explain the basic principles of heredity and genetics

PO 2. Distinguish between dominant and recessive traits

PO 3. Describe information that is carried in a gene

NatureWorks Episodes

1. Adaptation
2. Coloration
3. Natural Communication
4. Migration

4SC-E7. Explain and model the interaction and interdependence of living and non-living components within ecosystems, including the adaptation of plants and animals to their environment

(Grades 4-5)
PO 1. Describe the components of an ecosystem

PO 2. Describe how living and non-living components interact within an ecosystem

PO 3. Describe how living and non-living components are interdependent within an ecosystem

PO 4. Explain how plant species adapt to their environment

(Grades 6-8)
PO 1. Explain the role of living/non-living components in an ecosystem

PO 2. Create a model of the interaction of living/non-living components within an ecosystem 

NatureWorks Episodes

5. Habitat
6. Marine Communities
7. Fresh Water Communities
8. Terrestrial Communities
9. The Wildlife Web I 
10. The Wildlife  Web II
11. Decomposers/Scavengers
14. Niche