Passed On, and Not Quite the Same is a free printable Grade 3 science worksheet on evidence that traits are inherited and vary within a group, aligned to Common Core standard 3-LS3-1. It prints 3 questions with an answer key on its own sheet of paper, in 25 versions that each ask different questions, so no two pupils in the class work from the same page. Print it from the browser or download it as a PDF — no account, no email.
Set 1 of 25 · the same problems every time you open this link.
1.Sort each one: Inherited and shared or Inherited but varies or Caused by the surroundings?
Sort: Every oak seedling has oak-shaped leaves, A plant in poor soil has pale leaves, Some seedlings have slightly redder stems
Inherited and sharedInherited but variesCaused by the surroundings
2.Sort each one: Inherited and shared or Inherited but varies or Caused by the surroundings?
Sort: A tree bent by the wind on a cliff, All the puppies in the litter have floppy ears, Some kittens are striped and some are plain
Inherited and sharedInherited but variesCaused by the surroundings
3.Sort each one: Inherited and shared or Inherited but varies or Caused by the surroundings?
Sort: All the kittens have whiskers, The shady sunflowers grew shorter, One sunflower's head is wider than the rest
Inherited and sharedInherited but variesCaused by the surroundings
LessonPrint · 3-LS3-1 · Set 1 · free to copy for classroom use
Answer key — Passed On, and Not Quite the Same
Set 1. Prints on its own sheet.
1.1. A plant in poor soil has pale leaves — Caused by the surroundings 2. Every oak seedling has oak-shaped leaves — Inherited and shared 3. Some seedlings have slightly redder stems — Inherited but varies
2.1. A tree bent by the wind on a cliff — Caused by the surroundings 2. All the puppies in the litter have floppy ears — Inherited and shared 3. Some kittens are striped and some are plain — Inherited but varies
3.1. All the kittens have whiskers — Inherited and shared 2. One sunflower's head is wider than the rest — Inherited but varies 3. The shady sunflowers grew shorter — Caused by the surroundings
Questions about Passed On, and Not Quite the Same
What does the Passed On, and Not Quite the Same worksheet cover?
It practises evidence that traits are inherited and vary within a group — 3 questions for Grade 3, all on Common Core 3-LS3-1: Use data to show traits are inherited and still vary within a group. The instruction to pupils is “Sort each one into the right group”, and the answer key follows on the next sheet.
Which Common Core standard does Passed On, and Not Quite the Same practise?
3-LS3-1 — 3-LS3-1, in the Life Science domain for Grade 3. The published standard reads: “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.” The worksheet assesses that standard rather than a paraphrase of it.
What age or grade is this worksheet for?
Passed On, and Not Quite the Same is written for Grade 3, typically ages 8-9. It is one of the sheets on 3-LS3-1, so it suits any pupil working at that standard — including older pupils revisiting it and younger ones working ahead.
Does Passed On, and Not Quite the Same come with an answer key?
Yes. All 3 answers are generated from the same problems as the questions, so the key cannot drift out of step with the sheet. It starts on a fresh sheet of paper, after the questions, so it is not handed out with the class by accident.
How many different versions of Passed On, and Not Quite the Same can I print?
25 — one per pupil, and all 25 ask different questions. Set 1 downloads the whole class as a single PDF. Every version is fixed to its own address, so a sheet printed today holds the same problems when you reopen it next week.
Is Passed On, and Not Quite the Same free to print and photocopy?
Yes. Passed On, and Not Quite the Same, its answer key and its 25 versions are free to print and photocopy for your own class, with no account, no email capture and no subscription at the download step. Please do not resell them or republish them as your own.
Is there a lesson plan to teach 3-LS3-1?
Yes — “Passed On, and Not Quite the Same” is a 55-minute Grade 3 plan for 3-LS3-1, timed section by section, with the misconceptions to expect and an exit ticket. Passed On, and Not Quite the Same is the practice that follows it.
More practice for 3-LS3-1
Use data to show traits are inherited and still vary within a group.