Structures and Functions 5E NGSS Science Unit
$9.90
The 5E Science Unit Plan on Structures and Functions is an inquiry-based journey where students explore how plant and animal structures help them survive, grow, and reproduce.
This unit has three segments for each of the 5 Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate, enabling a comprehensive, scientific inquiry approach to learning.
This Structures and Functions 5E Science Unit Plan is an inquiry-based unit where students learn about how plant and animal parts (structures) help it survive, grow, and reproduce.
The unit is divided into three segments for each of the 5 Es: Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, and Evaluate, providing a comprehensive approach to learning.
KEY CONCEPTS IN THIS 5E STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION UNIT INCLUDE
- The functions of organisms’ structures
- How internal and external structures and functions work together in plants and animals
- How structure affects function, specifically to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction
FREE UPGRADE TO GOOGLE DIGITAL COMPONENTS:
- Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option
- Google Form Exit Cards to monitor student understanding
Included in this Structure and Function Science Resource
- Teacher Notes that provide an overview of the resource and an explanation of the NGSS standard for Structure and Function 4-LS1-1
- Common Misconceptions about Structure and Function
- Teaching Timeline available with four different options, including a correlation with the Fourth Grade Science Stations
- Vocabulary Cards to reinforce key terms throughout the unit. These are similar vocabulary cards available in the Fourth Grade Science Stations
- Big Idea Posters that illustrate the main concepts students will learn
- Exit Tickets in three formats: short answer, fill-in-the-blank, and multiple choice
- Google Slides Teacher Presentation that supports the student resources
- Google Slides Student Resources for a paperless option
- Google Form Exit Cards
What is the 5E Instructional Model?
The 5E Model is student-led, with the teacher acting mainly as the facilitator. Through open-ended questions, real-life experiences, guided investigations, and research, the students gain a deep understanding of the scientific topics that are covered in the lessons. Each stage of the model serves as a foundation for the next, creating a coherent model that frames lessons, activities, and units.
Find out more about the 5E Unit Plans in this blog post.
Objectives and Timeline for Each Section of the 5E Structure and Function Unit
ENGAGE
Objectives:
- Students will access their prior knowledge about living things.
- Student interest in living things will be elicited.
- The teacher will be able to identify student misconceptions about the functions of organisms’ structures.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (What Is This?): 10 minutes
- Part 2 (My Experiences): 15 minutes
- Part 3 (Introducing…Structures and Functions): 10 minutes
EXPLORE
Objectives:
- Students will work together to investigate organisms’ structures and functions. They will do this by observing part of the digestive process and by sprouting plants.
- Students will gather general information about structures and functions.
- Students will begin to think about how structures and functions work together in plants and animals.
- Students will analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that structure affects function.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (Check It Out): 20 minutes
- Part 2 (Read This): 15 minutes
- Part 3 (You Try It): 15 minutes, plus two weeks of observation
EXPLAIN
Objectives:
- Students will work collaboratively to observe structures and functions.
- Students will listen to the teacher’s explanation about structures and functions.
- Students will use the new information to revise their explanations about organisms’ structures and how they function.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (What Does It Mean?): 20 minutes
- Part 2 (What Are Structures and Functions?): 20 minutes
- Part 3 (Putting It All Together): 30 minutes
EXTEND
Objectives:
- Students will apply what they have learned about structures and functions to a new situation.
- Students will deepen their understanding of structures and functions, gaining a more generalized knowledge of this specific scientific concept.
- The teacher will resolve all persisting student misconceptions about structures and functions.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (Where Are Structures and Functions?): 20 minutes
- Part 2 (Show What You Know): 15 minutes
- Part 3 (Have Fun With It): 20 minutes
EVALUATE
Objectives:
- Students will evaluate their own understanding of the structures and functions of living things.
- Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge of the concepts and vocabulary.
- The teacher will encourage students to ask questions that could lead to future investigations.
Parts and Duration:
- Part 1 (What I Know): 15 minutes
- Part 2 (Showing Structures and Functions): 30 minutes
- Part 3 (Going Forward): 15 minutes
Michele S. –
Very helpful resource to support my students' science learning
Christina D. –
An amazing, engaging, comprehensive resource for science!
Dulcie C. –
This was a helpful resource to supplement our curriculum. The students were engaged, and the graphics were great.
Limmce M. –
We did a whole unit on structure and function in 4th grade. This was a great resource that helped my students in understanding what structures and functions were. I look forward to using these resources next year as well.
EyreAndIvy –
Being new to fourth grade, I wasn't sure how to teach science and what would be a good option, but this was perfect. The students were engaged and it was interesting. They had lots of questions afterwards.