This mini-collection aligns with Life Science Benchmark A: Differentiate between the life cycles of different plants and animals. The first two resources explore the life cycles of a radish and a butterfly. It is important that students are exposed to the life cycles of a wide variety of plants and animals so they can identify similarities and differences. Their understanding must go beyond labeling the stages of the life cycle and extend into the behavior of organisms in different stages. For best results, instruction should incorporate science process skills with the content. Several of the resources are also aligned to the scientific process standards. Lessons designed with the learning cycle approach provide students with inquiry experiences necessary to build these skills.

Go to http://www.ohiorc.org/for/science/oat.aspx to see additional mini-collections designed to help teachers prepare students for the Ohio Achievement Test in Science. (ts)