Grade 2 - 2-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

Vl. New Generation of Science Standards (NGSS) - Grade 2

Disciplinary Core Ideas

LS2.A: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
• Plants depend on water and light to grow. (2-LS2-1)
• Plants depend on animals for pollination or to move their seeds around. (2-LS2-2

ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions
• Designs can be conveyed through sketches, drawings, or physical models. These representations are useful in communicating ideas for a problem’s solutions to other people. (secondary to 2-LS2-2)

Science and Engineering Practices (NGSS)

Developing and Using Models
Modeling in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to include using and developing models (i.e., diagram, drawing, physical replica, diorama, dramatization, or storyboard) that represent concrete events or design solutions.
• Develop a simple model based on evidence to represent a proposed object or tool. (2-LS2-2)

Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
Planning and carrying out investigations to answer questions or test solutions to problems in K–2 builds on prior experiences and progresses to simple investigations, based on fair tests, which provide data to support explanations or design solutions.
• Plan and conduct an investigation collaboratively to produce data to serve as the basis for evidence to answer a question. (2-LS2-1)

Crosscutting Concepts (NGSS)

Cause and Effect
• Events have causes that generate observable patterns. (2-LS2-1)

Structure and Function
• The shape and stability of structures of natural and designed objects are related to their function(s). (2-LS2-2)

Performance Expectations

Students who demonstrate understanding can:

2-LS2-1. Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to testing one variable at a time.]

2-LS2-2. Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants.* 

Common Core State Standards Connections

ELA/Literacy
W.2.7     Participate in shared research and writing projects (e.g., read a number of books on a single topic to produce a report; record science observations).
(2-LS2-1)
W.2.8     Recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question. (2-LS2-1)
SL.2.5     Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings. (2-LS2-2)

Mathematics
MP.2    Reason abstractly and quantitatively. (2-LS2-1)
MP.4    Model with mathematics. (2-LS2-1),(2-LS2-2)
MP.5    Use appropriate tools strategically. (2-LS2-1)
2.MD.D.10  Draw a picture graph and a bar graph (with single-unit scale) to represent a data set with up to four categories. Solve simple put-together, take-apart, and compare problems using information presented in a bar graph. (2-LS2-2)