Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Life Science (2018)

Other Virginia Science sets

The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices byLS1 

  • a

    asking questions and defining problemsLS 1a

  • b

    planning and carrying out investigationsLS 1b

  • c

    interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating dataLS 1c

  • d

    constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanationsLS 1d

  • e

    developing and using modelsLS 1e

  • f

    obtaining, evaluating, and communicating informationLS 1f

The student will investigate and understand that all living things are composed of one or more cells that support life processes, as described by the cell theory. Key ideas includeLS 2

  • a

    the development of the cell theory demonstrates the nature of scienceLS 2a

  • b

    cell structure and organelles support life processes; LS 2b

  • c

    similarities and differences between plant and animal cells determine how they support life processes;LS 2c

  • d

    cell division is the mechanism for growth and reproduction; andLS 2d

  • e

    cellular transport (osmosis and diffusion) is important for life processesLS 2e

The student will investigate and understand that there are levels of structural organization in living things. Key ideas includeLS 3

  • a

    patterns of cellular organization support life processes;LS 3a

  • b

    unicellular and multicellular organisms have comparative structures; andLS 3b

  • c

    similar characteristics determine the classification of organisms.LS 3c

The student will investigate and understand that there are chemical processes of energy transfer which are important for life. Key ideas includeLS 4

  • a

    photosynthesis is the foundation of virtually all food webs; andLS 4a

  • b

    photosynthesis and cellular respiration support life processes. LS 4b

The student will investigate and understand that biotic and abiotic factors affect an ecosystem. Key ideas includeLS 5

  • a

    matter moves through ecosystems via the carbon, water, and nitrogen cycles;LS 5a

  • b

    energy flow is represented by food webs and energy pyramids; andLS 5b

  • c

    relationships exist among producers, consumers, and decomposers. LS 5c

The student will investigate and understand that populations in a biological community interact and are interdependent. Key ideas includeLS 6

  • a

    relationships exist between predators and prey and these relationships are modeled in food webs;LS 6a

  • b

    the availability and use of resources may lead to competition and cooperation;LS 6b

  • c

    symbiotic relationships support the survival of different species; andLS 6c

  • d

    the niche of each organism supports survival.LS 6d

The student will investigate and understand that adaptations support an organism’s survival in an ecosystem. Key ideas includeLS 7

  • a

    biotic and abiotic factors define land, marine, and freshwater ecosystems; andLS 7a

  • b

    physical and behavioral characteristics enable organisms to survive within a specific ecosystemLS 7b

The student will investigate and understand that ecosystems, communities, populations, and organisms are dynamic and change over time. Key ideas includeLS 8

  • a

    organisms respond to daily, seasonal, and long-term changes;LS 8a

  • b

    changes in the environment may increase or decrease population size; andLS 8b

  • c

    large-scale changes such as eutrophication, climate changes, and catastrophic disturbances affect ecosystems.LS 8c

The student will investigate and understand that relationships exist between ecosystem dynamics and human activity. Key ideas includeLS 9

  • a

    changes in habitat can disturb populations;LS 9a

  • b

    disruptions in ecosystems can change species competition; andLS 9b

  • c

    variations in biotic and abiotic factors can change ecosystems. LS 9c

The student will investigate and understand that organisms reproduce and transmit genetic information to new generations. Key ideas includeLS 10

  • a

    DNA has a role in making proteins that determine organism traits; LS 10a

  • b

    the role of meiosis is to transfer traits to the next generation; andLS 10b

  • c

    Punnett squares are mathematical models used to predict the probability of traits in offspringLS 10c

The student will investigate and understand that populations of organisms can change over time. Key ideas includeLS 11

  • a

    mutation, adaptation, natural selection, and extinction change populations;LS 11a

  • b

    the fossil record, genetic information, and anatomical comparisons provide evidence for evolution; andLS 11b

  • c

    environmental factors and genetic variation, influence survivability and diversity of organismsLS 11c

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 7
Where can I read the official document?
2018 Virginia Standards of Learning

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