Science.6.13.B

In elementary grades, students identified and analyzed the external structures and functions of different organisms. In middle school, students learn about cells and identify different structures and functions of organisms on a microscopic level. In grade 6, students recognize that a nucleus differentiates prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The remainder of the organelles are not required at grade 6, though their purpose can be described when appropriate. Students can use the learned characteristics to compare organisms and form organizational groups. Students know about plants, animals, and decomposers such as fungi and bacteria. In middle school, students can compare protists and archaea. Connecting cellular characteristics to these groups of organisms provides context for the students. All bacteria and archaea are prokaryotic. All plants, animals, fungi, and protists are eukaryotic. All bacteria and archaea are unicellular, and most protists are unicellular. All plants and animals are multicellular, and most fungi are multicellular. Autotrophs include all plants and some bacteria, archaea, and protists. Heterotrophs include all animals and fungi as well as some protists, archaea, and bacteria. Students learn about the characteristics in grade 6 and will use them in grade 7. The names of all the organizational groups (kingdoms, phylum, species, etc.) are formally introduced in grade 7.