Inherited traits in plants and animals introduces Grade 3 students to an important life science topic: the characteristics that plants and animals inherit. This science resource focuses on inherited traits across two major groups of living things, helping teachers introduce heredity through a topic relevant to elementary life science instruction.

Explore Inherited Traits in Living Things

Inherited traits are characteristics passed from parents to their offspring. Exploring this topic in both plants and animals provides a foundation for discussing similarities and differences among living things and how characteristics are passed between generations.

With its focus on plant and animal traits, this resource provides a starting point for Grade 3 science instruction on heredity and the characteristics of living organisms.

Classroom Use

Use this resource as part of a Grade 3 life science unit, during instruction on inherited characteristics, or as supplementary science practice. It can also serve as a resource for revisiting the topic during a heredity lesson.

Curriculum Reference

The resource details identify the official standard code 3-LS3-1. Teachers can use this reference when organizing their Grade 3 science resources and planning instruction related to inherited traits.

Subject: Science
Grade: Grade 3
Topic: Inherited Traits in Plants and Animals