Browse Standards

From this browse and search tool, you will find the New York State (NYS) Learning Standards statements for all seven standard areas across grades Pre K - 12. The NYS Learning Standards provides the foundation for the NYS Assessments and the local core curriculum.

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Standard Area - Previous Standards Versions

Standard Area - MST: Math, Science & Technology

Standard - MST4: Science
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.

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Performance Indicator - MST4.E.LE.3.1:
Students describe how the structures of plants and animals complement the environment of the plant or animal.

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Major Understandings - MST4.E.LE.3.1a:
Each animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.

wings, legs, or fins enable some animals to seek shelter and escape predators
the mouth, including teeth, jaws, and tongue, enables some animals to eat and drink
eyes, nose, ears, tongue, and skin of some animals enable the animals to sense their surroundings
claws, shells, spines, feathers, fur, scales, and color of body covering enable some animals to protect themselves from predators and other environmental conditions, or enable them to obtain food
some animals have parts that are used to produce sounds and smells to help the animal meet its needs
the characteristics of some animals change as seasonal conditions change (e.g., fur grows and is shed to help regulate body heat; body fat is a form of stored energy and it changes as the seasons change)

Assessments

Major Understandings - MST4.E.LE.3.1b:
Each plant has different structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction.

roots help support the plant and take in water and nutrients
leaves help plants utilize sunlight to make food for the plant
stems, stalks, trunks, and other similar structures provide support for the plant
some plants have flowers
flowers are reproductive structures of plants that produce fruit which contains seeds
seeds contain stored food that aids in germination and the growth of young plants

Educational Resources Assessments

Major Understandings - MST4.E.LE.3.1c:
In order to survive in their environment, plants and animals must be adapted to that environment.

seeds disperse by a plant’s own mechanism and/or in a variety of ways that can include wind, water, and animals
leaf, flower, stem, and root adaptations may include variations in size, shape, thickness, color, smell, and texture
animal adaptations include coloration for warning or attraction, camouflage, defense mechanisms, movement, hibernation, and migration