Wednesday, December 4, 2024, 9:27 PM
Site: Learnbps
Course: BPSS (SCI) Science Standards (S-SCI)
Glossary: 3rd Grade Science

SCI-03.ESS2

BPSS-SCI logo DCI Earth Space Science ESS2

Earth's Systems

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as:

  • What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? 
  • How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?
  • How do organisms vary in their traits?
  • How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments?
  • What happens to organisms when their environment changes?
  • How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object?
  • How can magnets be used?”

Students are able to organize and use data to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. By applying their understanding of weather-related hazards, students are able to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of such hazards. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of organisms’ life cycles. An understanding that organisms have different inherited traits, and that the environment can also affect the traits that an organism develops, is acquired by students at this level. In addition, students are able to construct an explanation using evidence for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. Students are expected to develop an understanding of types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments.
Third graders are expected to develop an understanding of the idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. Students are able to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. They are then able to apply their understanding of magnetic interactions to define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets.

Calculation Method for DCI

Disciplinary Core Ideas are larger groups of related Performance Expectations. So the Disciplinary Core Idea Grade is a calculation of all the related Performance Expectations. So click on the Performance Expectation name below each Disciplinary Core Idea to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each Disciplinary Core Idea's related Performance Expectations.

SCI-03.ESS2.01

Earth Space Science Logo 3rd Grade (SCI) Science Standards
[ESS2] Earth's Systems

SCI-03.ESS2.01 Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe and predict typical weather conditions expected during a particular season.

Clarification Statement: Examples of data could include average temperature, precipitation, and wind direction.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Scientists record patterns of the weather across different times and areas so that they can make predictions about what kind of weather might happen next.


proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

SCI-03.ESS3

BPSS-SCI logo DCI Earth Space Science ESS3

Earth and Human Activity

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as:

  • What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? 
  • How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?
  • How do organisms vary in their traits?
  • How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments?
  • What happens to organisms when their environment changes?
  • How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object?
  • How can magnets be used?”

Students are able to organize and use data to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. By applying their understanding of weather-related hazards, students are able to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of such hazards. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of organisms’ life cycles. An understanding that organisms have different inherited traits, and that the environment can also affect the traits that an organism develops, is acquired by students at this level. In addition, students are able to construct an explanation using evidence for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. Students are expected to develop an understanding of types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments.
Third graders are expected to develop an understanding of the idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. Students are able to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. They are then able to apply their understanding of magnetic interactions to define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets.

Calculation Method for DCI

Disciplinary Core Ideas are larger groups of related Performance Expectations. So the Disciplinary Core Idea Grade is a calculation of all the related Performance Expectations. So click on the Performance Expectation name below each Disciplinary Core Idea to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each Disciplinary Core Idea's related Performance Expectations.

SCI-03.LS1

BPSS-SCI logo DCI Life Science [LS1]

From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as:

  • What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? 
  • How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?
  • How do organisms vary in their traits?
  • How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments?
  • What happens to organisms when their environment changes?
  • How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object?
  • How can magnets be used?”

Students are able to organize and use data to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. By applying their understanding of weather-related hazards, students are able to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of such hazards. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of organisms’ life cycles. An understanding that organisms have different inherited traits, and that the environment can also affect the traits that an organism develops, is acquired by students at this level. In addition, students are able to construct an explanation using evidence for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. Students are expected to develop an understanding of types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments.
Third graders are expected to develop an understanding of the idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. Students are able to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. They are then able to apply their understanding of magnetic interactions to define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets.

Calculation Method for DCI

Disciplinary Core Ideas are larger groups of related Performance Expectations. So the Disciplinary Core Idea Grade is a calculation of all the related Performance Expectations. So click on the Performance Expectation name below each Disciplinary Core Idea to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each Disciplinary Core Idea's related Performance Expectations.

SCI-03.LS1.01

Life Science Logo 3rd Grade (SCI) Science Standards
[LS1] From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

SCI-03.LS1.01 Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all experience birth, growth, reproduction, and death.

Clarification Statement: Changes organisms go through during their life form a pattern
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Reproduction is essential to the continued existence of every kind of organism. Plants and animals have unique and diverse life cycles.


proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

SCI-03.LS2

BPSS-SCI logo DCI Life Science LS2

Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as:

  • What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? 
  • How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?
  • How do organisms vary in their traits?
  • How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments?
  • What happens to organisms when their environment changes?
  • How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object?
  • How can magnets be used?”

Students are able to organize and use data to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. By applying their understanding of weather-related hazards, students are able to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of such hazards. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of organisms’ life cycles. An understanding that organisms have different inherited traits, and that the environment can also affect the traits that an organism develops, is acquired by students at this level. In addition, students are able to construct an explanation using evidence for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. Students are expected to develop an understanding of types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments.
Third graders are expected to develop an understanding of the idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. Students are able to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. They are then able to apply their understanding of magnetic interactions to define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets.

Calculation Method for DCI

Disciplinary Core Ideas are larger groups of related Performance Expectations. So the Disciplinary Core Idea Grade is a calculation of all the related Performance Expectations. So click on the Performance Expectation name below each Disciplinary Core Idea to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each Disciplinary Core Idea's related Performance Expectations.

SCI-03.LS3

BPSS-SCI logo DCI Life Science LS3

Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as:

  • What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? 
  • How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?
  • How do organisms vary in their traits?
  • How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments?
  • What happens to organisms when their environment changes?
  • How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object?
  • How can magnets be used?”

Students are able to organize and use data to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. By applying their understanding of weather-related hazards, students are able to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of such hazards. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of organisms’ life cycles. An understanding that organisms have different inherited traits, and that the environment can also affect the traits that an organism develops, is acquired by students at this level. In addition, students are able to construct an explanation using evidence for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. Students are expected to develop an understanding of types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments.
Third graders are expected to develop an understanding of the idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. Students are able to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. They are then able to apply their understanding of magnetic interactions to define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets.

Calculation Method for DCI

Disciplinary Core Ideas are larger groups of related Performance Expectations. So the Disciplinary Core Idea Grade is a calculation of all the related Performance Expectations. So click on the Performance Expectation name below each Disciplinary Core Idea to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each Disciplinary Core Idea's related Performance Expectations.

SCI-03.LS3.02

Life Science Logo 3rd Grade (SCI) Science Standards
[LS3] Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

SCI-03.LS3.02 Use evidence to support the explanation that the expression of traits can be influenced by the environment.

Clarification Statement: Examples of the environment affecting a trait could include normally tall plants grown with insufficient water are stunted. A person born healthy based on their genetics could suffer from the exposure to toxic chemicals
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Other characteristics result from individuals’ interactions with the environment, which can range from diet to learning. Many characteristics involve both inheritance and environment.
Environmental factors such as toxins may affect the traits that an organism develops


proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

SCI-03.LS4

BPSS-SCI logo DCI Life Science LS3

Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as:

  • What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? 
  • How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?
  • How do organisms vary in their traits?
  • How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments?
  • What happens to organisms when their environment changes?
  • How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object?
  • How can magnets be used?”

Students are able to organize and use data to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. By applying their understanding of weather-related hazards, students are able to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of such hazards. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of organisms’ life cycles. An understanding that organisms have different inherited traits, and that the environment can also affect the traits that an organism develops, is acquired by students at this level. In addition, students are able to construct an explanation using evidence for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. Students are expected to develop an understanding of types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments.
Third graders are expected to develop an understanding of the idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. Students are able to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. They are then able to apply their understanding of magnetic interactions to define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets.

Calculation Method for DCI

Disciplinary Core Ideas are larger groups of related Performance Expectations. So the Disciplinary Core Idea Grade is a calculation of all the related Performance Expectations. So click on the Performance Expectation name below each Disciplinary Core Idea to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each Disciplinary Core Idea's related Performance Expectations.

SCI-03.LS4.03

Life Science Logo 3rd Grade (SCI) Science Standards
[LS4] Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

SCI-03.LS4.03 Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.

Clarification Statement: Examples of evidence could include needs and characteristics of the organisms and habitats involved. The organisms and their habitat make up a system in which the parts depend on each other.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Adaptation for any particular environment, some kinds of organisms survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.


proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale

SCI-03.PS2

BPSS-SCI logo DCI Physical Science PS2

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interaction

Performance Expectations

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as:

  • What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? 
  • How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced?
  • How do organisms vary in their traits?
  • How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments?
  • What happens to organisms when their environment changes?
  • How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object?
  • How can magnets be used?”

Students are able to organize and use data to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. By applying their understanding of weather-related hazards, students are able to make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of such hazards. Students are expected to develop an understanding of the similarities and differences of organisms’ life cycles. An understanding that organisms have different inherited traits, and that the environment can also affect the traits that an organism develops, is acquired by students at this level. In addition, students are able to construct an explanation using evidence for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. Students are expected to develop an understanding of types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments.
Third graders are expected to develop an understanding of brhe idea that when the environment changes some organisms survive and reproduce, some move to new locations, some move into the transformed environment, and some die. Students are able to determine the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object and the cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other. They are then able to apply their understanding of magnetic interactions to define a simple design problem that can be solved with magnets.

Calculation Method for DCI

Disciplinary Core Ideas are larger groups of related Performance Expectations. So the Disciplinary Core Idea Grade is a calculation of all the related Performance Expectations. So click on the Performance Expectation name below each Disciplinary Core Idea to access the learning targets and proficiency scales for each Disciplinary Core Idea's related Performance Expectations.

SCI-03.PS2.02

Physical Science Logo 3rd Grade (SCI) Science Standards
[PS2] Motion and Stability: Forces and Interaction

SCI-03.PS2.02 Make observations and metric measurements of an object's motion to prove that a pattern can be used to predict future motion

Clarification Statement: Examples of motion with a predictable pattern could include a child swinging in a swing, a ball rolling back and forth in a bowl, and two children on a see-saw.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
The patterns of an object’s motion in various situations can be observed and measured; when that past motion exhibits a regular pattern, future motion can be predicted from it. (Boundary: Technical terms, such as magnitude, velocity, momentum, and vector quantity, are not introduced at this level, but the concept that some quantities need both size and direction to be described is developed.)


proficiency scale iconProficiency Scale