Plants, Alike and Different
A Framework for K-12 Science Education (NRC 2012) includes inheritance as a core idea within the life science framework. For example, life science core idea 3A states that by the end of second grade, children's knowledge should include the ability to recognize and investigate physical differences and similarities among the same kind of organisms (e.g., plants and animals) and that offspring resemble their parents and each other. State and local science standards also include these concepts. This article provides examples of the learning cycle lessons the authors use to help preschool children develop the abilities to recognize and verbalize how animals, plants, and people are alike and different based on physical properties.