Information for Teachers

Curriculum links

This investigation is linked to the following Grade 3 Next Generation Science Standards.

LS1.B: Growth and Development of Organisms

Reproduction is essential to the continued existence of every kind of organism. Plants and animals have unique and diverse life cycles (3- LS1-1)

LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior

Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with change. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size. (3-LS2-1)

LS3.A: Inheritance of Traits

Many characteristics of organisms are inherited from their parents. (3-LS3-!)

Other characteristics result from individuals’ interactions with the environment, which can range from diet to learning. Many characteristics involve both inheritance and environment. (3-LS3-2)

How to search the internet

1 Keep your request short

Fewer words will give a more accurate search.

2 Choose exactly what you want

For example: Arctic Circle Climate

3 Use quotes

Double quotes around a set of words tell the search engine to consider those exact words in that exact order without any change. For example: “Arctic Circle Climate”

4 Use the plus sign (+)

If you add a plus sign (+) between words, the internet will search for all the words. For example: migrate+birds+whales+mammal

5 Use the minus sign (–) to say what you don’t want

Use a minus sign (–) to show words you do not want to appear in your results. For example: if you search for burrowing animals and do not want mammals in your search,  –mammals will exclude mammals. Note that you need to put a space before the minus sign for the word to be excluded.

6 Be very clear about what you don’t want

Part 1
Ask questions and define problems

After reading Animal Parents, you may have many questions about the different ways animals raise their young.

List your questions

  • Compare your list with questions that others have.
  • Choose a question you would like to investigate.
  • You can work alone, with a partner, or in a small group.

You may want to choose one or more of these questions to investigate

Q1. How do some animals raise their young by themselves?

Q2. How do some parents share the raising of their young?

Q3. How do some animals share parenting across an extended family or group?

Q4. How do some animals behave so that their young can care for themselves straight away?

Go to Part 2 Investigate →

Part 2
Investigate

Do searches in the internet or in books or talk to people who can help to find the information you are looking for.

Your teacher may suggest suitable websites for further information.

Go to Part 3 Record data →

Part 3
Record data

Find a way of recording your information that will allow you to see any patterns in the data.

Data Chart for Animal Parents
(Download and change to suit your information)

Download Chart
Go to Part 4 Organize, analyze, and interpret data →

Part 4
Organize, analyze, and interpret data

1. Look over the information you have gathered and the patterns you have found.

How do some animals raise young by themselves?

How do some parents share the raising of their young?

How do some animals share parenting across an extended family or group?

How do some animals behave so that their young can care for themselves straight away?

2. Search for other patterns.

What does the parent do to try to make sure their young can survive and grow?

What might happen if there was no food for them?

3. Makes notes about what you find.

Go to Part 5 Present and share →

Part 5
Present and share

Look over all of the information that you have gathered in your investigation.

What are the most important ideas about the ways animals raise their young?

Make a chart showing the most important ideas.

Download Chart
← Return to menu