In this video, students will learn why the environment influences some inherited traits through the example of the snowshoe hare. Snowshoe hares have an interesting adaptation that helps protect them against predators. Depending on the season, their fur can be a different color. During the winter, snowshoe hares are white, which helps them blend in with the snow. When the seasons change to spring and summer, snowshoe hares turn reddish-brown. This color helps them camouflage with dirt and rocks. This short video is a beneficial tool to help students digest information.
This video satisfies the 3-LS3-1 and 3-LS3-2 requirements for third-grade science proficiency.
Students who demonstrate understanding can:
3-LS3-1. Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms.
3-LS3-2. Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment.
