Common Core Reading (CCSS):

• Informational/Nonfiction Standards R.I. 1-10 for grades 3-5

• 3-LS2-1. Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
• 4-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and that their uses affect the environment.
• 4-ESS2-2 Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features. DCI: Maps can
• help locate the different land and water features areas of Earth.
• 5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.

Science and Engineering Practices (SEP): (Text supports students to reach SEP)

• Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions.
• Constructing explanations and designing solutions in 3–5 builds on K–2 experiences and progresses to the use of evidence in constructing explanations that specify variables that describe and predict phenomena and in designing multiple solutions to design problems. Identify the evidence that supports particular points in an explanation. (4-ESS1-1)

Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI):

• LS2.D: Social Interactions and Group Behavior. Being part of a group helps animals obtain food, defend themselves, and cope with changes. Groups may serve different functions and vary dramatically in size (Note: Moved from K–2).
• ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems. Human activities in agriculture, industry, and everyday lie have had major effects on the land, vegetation, streams, ocean, air, and even outer space. But individuals and communities are doing things to help protect Earth’s resources and environments.
• ESS3.A: Natural Resources Energy and fuels that humans use are derived from natural sources, and their use affects the environment in multiple ways. Some resources are renewable over time, and others are not.
• ESS1.C: The History of Planet Earth. The presence and location of certain fossil types indicate the order in which rock layers were formed. (4-ESS1-1)

Crosscutting Concepts (CC): (Text supports students to reach SEP)

• Cause and Effect: Cause and effect relationships are routinely identified and used to explain change.
• Science Addresses Questions About the Natural and Material World. Science findings are limited to questions that can be answered with empirical evidence.