Responses to Changing Seasons · Mati Learning Hub

LESSON 10.1 · SC.3.L.17.1

Animal Responses

Learning goal: Describe how animals respond to seasonal changes.

What to know

Some animals migrate, hibernate, change behavior, or grow different coverings.
Responses help animals find food, survive temperature changes, or reproduce.
Different species can respond differently to the same season.

WATCH & NOTICE

Why Do Some Animals Hibernate?

From SciShow Kids

Find the evidence connecting an animal’s response to winter conditions.

Open video on YouTube ↗

Think like a scientist

Some birds migrate to areas with more food while other birds remain and change what they eat.

ANIMAL SEASON RESPONSE LAB

Different animals can respond differently to the same season

Choose an animal and move through the year. Observe changes in location, activity, food, or body covering that may help it survive.

Migrationseasonal movement from one region to anotherHibernationa long period of greatly reduced activityAdaptationa trait or behavior that helps survival

Move through the year Spring

south ⇄ north

DaylightIncreasingTemperature18°C / 64°FFood supplyIncreasing

Spring observation: this warbler returns north as insects and nesting opportunities increase.

Pattern model: not every individual or species responds in exactly the same way.

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LESSON 10.2 · SC.3.L.17.1

Plant Responses

Learning goal: Describe how plants respond to changing seasons.

What to know

Some trees lose leaves as daylight and temperature change.
Plants may flower, grow, become dormant, or produce seeds in particular seasons.
Seasonal response patterns vary among plants and climates.

WATCH & NOTICE

Why Do Some Animals Hibernate?

From SciShow Kids

Find the evidence connecting an animal’s response to winter conditions.

Open video on YouTube ↗

Think like a scientist

A deciduous tree may drop leaves and become dormant, while an evergreen keeps many leaves through winter.

PLANT SEASON RESPONSE LAB

Leaves, flowers, seeds, and dormancy follow seasonal patterns

Select a plant and move through four seasons. Compare its visible response with changing daylight and temperature.

Dormantalive but growing very littleDeciduoussheds leaves during part of the yearEvergreenkeeps many leaves through the year

Season Spring

✿ ✿ ✿

• • •

Approx. daylight12 hoursModel temperature18°C / 64°FVisible responsebuds and new leaves

Spring pattern: the maple grows new leaves as days lengthen and temperatures rise.

Pattern model: responses vary with plant species and local climate; Florida seasons may look different from colder regions.

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LESSON 10.3 · SC.3.L.17.1

Use Seasonal Evidence

Learning goal: Use observations to connect a response with a seasonal change.

What to know

Evidence may include temperature, daylight, rainfall, food supply, and repeated behavior.
A response is something an organism does or changes.
Avoid claiming every organism responds in exactly the same way.

WATCH & NOTICE

Why Do Some Animals Hibernate?

From SciShow Kids

Find the evidence connecting an animal’s response to winter conditions.

Open video on YouTube ↗

Think like a scientist

Repeated records show butterflies arriving as spring temperatures rise and host plants grow; the pattern supports a seasonal connection.

SEASONAL EVIDENCE NOTEBOOK

A pattern needs repeated observations

Reveal temperature, host-plant growth, and butterfly counts across six months. Use matching changes—not one isolated sighting—to evaluate a seasonal claim.

Evidenceobservations or measurements used to test an ideaPatterna repeated or orderly relationshipClaima statement that evidence can support or challenge

relative amount ↑

JanFebMarAprMayJun

TemperatureHost-plant growthButterfly count

Which claim best matches the complete record?

Begin with one layer. Reveal all three records before choosing the best-supported claim.

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What to know

Why Do Some Animals Hibernate?

Think like a scientist

Different animals can respond differently to the same season

What to know

Why Do Some Animals Hibernate?

Think like a scientist

Leaves, flowers, seeds, and dormancy follow seasonal patterns

What to know

Why Do Some Animals Hibernate?

Think like a scientist

A pattern needs repeated observations

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