Colorado Science Standards

In grades K-4, what students know and are able to do includes:

distinguishing living from nonliving things;

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classifying a variety of organisms according to selected characteristics (for example, backbone vs. no backbone);

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describing the basic needs (for example, food, water, air, shelter, space) of an organism; and

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giving examples of how organisms interact with each other and with nonliving parts of their habitat.

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As students in grades 5-8 extend their knowledge, what they know and are able to do includes:

constructing and using classification systems based on the structure of organisms;

13. Species Diversity

describing the importance of plant and animal adaptations, including local examples;

creating and interpreting food chains and food webs;

explaining the interaction and interdependence of nonliving and living components within ecosystems; and

describing how an environment's ability to provide food, water, space, and essential nutrients determines carrying capacity.