Unit H: Seasonal Changes of Plants and Animals

Some trees in the northern states lose their leaves in the winter, while in Florida they keep them all year. What is most likely the reason for this difference?

• There are more hours of sunlight in Florida during the winter.

• The trees in Florida get less sun all year round.

• The soil in Florida has more nutrients for the trees.

• The trees in the northern states originally came from Florida.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-6

NGSS.MS-LS1-5

In colder regions, some animals' fur changes to white during winter months so that the animal can better hide from predators.  Animals in Florida do not experience this type of seasonal change, for which of the following reasons?

• There are no predators in Florida.

• Animals in Florida are faster runners.

• Florida days are longer in winter.

• It rarely snows in Florida.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

Many bird species time the laying of their eggs so when the babies hatch, there is plenty of food available. Look at the map. What best explains why the birds in the northern states all lay their eggs in the spring while the bird in Florida lays its eggs all year round?

• The birds in the northern states are all in the same family and decided to lay their eggs at the same time so their babies will be the same age.

• The birds in the northern states know that food will be available in the spring and summer but not in the fall and winter.

• Birds in Florida aren't able to communicate with birds in the northern states and don't know when they are supposed to lay their eggs.

• The birds in Florida are stronger and can survive the winters.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Based on the information in the chart, which of the organisms lives in Florida?

• Canadian Geese

• Maple Tree

• Vole

• Seagrape

Every year during winter, Landon notices an increase in migratory birds where he lives in Florida. He has learned that some birds from northern states fly south for the winter.

 

What do the birds that live in Florida do while the northern birds migrate in the winter?

• They fly north to replace the birds that flew south.

• They stay in Florida.

• They fly even farther south.

• They fly to the west to get out of the way of the birds flying south.

Fourth grade students wanted to know what effect the color of fabric had on the temperature. Students put three identical thermometers outside, covered the first one with white fabric, covered the second one with black fabric, and left the third thermometer uncovered. Based on the set up described, which answer best describes why this activity was either an investigation or experiment?

• It was a descriptive investigation because students described the temperature.

• It was a repeated investigation because students collected data over several years.

• It was a comparative investigation because students compared the temperature in two different locations.

• It was an experiment because there was a control group.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4

Read the student observations below. Which student recorded data in their notebook?

Student 1: Most of the students thought the black fabric would change most.

Student 2: Both the white and black fabric increased in temperature a lot.

Student 3: The thermometer that was covered with black fabric increased in temperature by 15℉

Student 4: The black fabric probably increased the most because it was the darkest color.

• Student 1

• Student 2

• Student 3

• Student 4

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-4