Science Content:
Differentiate between the life cycles of different plants and animals.
Analyze plant and animal structures and functions needed for survival and describe the flow of energy through a system that all organisms use to survive.
Explain that multicellular organisms have a variety of specialized cells, tissues and organ systems that perform specialized functions.
Estimated Time: 60 minutes
In this lesson students begin to explore mussels and build observation and questioning skills. They will work to chart what they know using a RAN chart and use text to build their understanding. During this lesson they will also observe mussel shells and living mussels.
Part 1: The students work collaboratively to develop a class RAN chart that lists what they know, what they have confirmed as scientifically accurate, misconceptions, new information, and wonderings. Then they listen to a read aloud of Russell the Mussell.
Part 2: The students will observe mussel shells and living mussels. Students will generate questions they have about mussels as they are making their observations. They will work to find testable questions about mussels to be used in future lessons.