Grade 3ScienceTEKS 3.12A

Grade 3 Science TEKS 3.12A:Temperature and Precipitation Effects

Free, teacher-ready lessons and worksheets for Temperature and Precipitation Effects in Grade 3 Science, fully aligned to Texas TEKS 3.12A.

Explain how temperature and precipitation affect animal growth and behavior through migration and hibernation and plant responses through dormancy

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      Grade 3 Science TEKS Lessons

      TEKS 3.12A: Temperature and Precipitation Effects

      • Animal Behavior

        About this lesson

        Learning Target: I can explain how temperature and precipitation affect how animals grow and behave.

        Focuses On:

        • Effects of temperature on growth, migration, and hibernation
        • Effects of precipitation on growth, migration, and hibernation

        Builds On:

        2.12A:

        describe how the physical characteristics of environments, including the amount of rainfall, support plants and animals within an ecosystem

        Next Level:

        5.12A:

        observe and describe how a variety of organisms survive by interacting with biotic and abiotic factors in a healthy ecosystem

        Read More:

        This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of how temperature and precipitation impact the growth and behaviors of animals.


        The lesson begins with the effects of temperature on growth, migration, and hibernation. It then informs students about how precipitation affects growth, migration, and hibernation.


        This lesson builds on standard 2.12A, where students learn about the basic needs of animals, and prepares students for standard 5.12A, where they learn about how abiotic and biotic factors interact in a healthy ecosystem.

        Grade 3ScienceTEKS 3.12A

      • Plant Responses

        About this lesson

        Learning Target: I can explain how plants respond to different stimuli.

        Focuses On:

        • Effects of different amounts of water on plants
        • Effects of different amounts of sunlight on plants

        Builds On:

        2.12A:

        describe how the physical characteristics of environments, including the amount of rainfall, support plants and animals within an ecosystem

        Next Level:

        5.12A:

        observe and describe how a variety of organisms survive by interacting with biotic and abiotic factors in a healthy ecosystem

        Read More:

        This lesson is designed to support students' understanding of how sunlight and water impact the growth and behaviors of plants.


        The lesson begins by exploring the effects of water on plants, including dormancy as a response to stress. It then informs students about the effects of sunlight, including a plant's ability to move towards it


        This lesson builds on standard 2.12A, where students learned about the basic needs of animals, and prepares them for standard 5.12A, which covers the interactions between abiotic and biotic factors in a healthy ecosystem.

        Grade 3ScienceTEKS 3.12A

      Grade 3 Science TEKS Worksheets

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      Frequently Asked Questions

      How do you teach Temperature and Precipitation Effects to 3rd graders?

      To teach Temperature and Precipitation Effects to 3rd grade Science students, anchor the concept in a hands-on investigation or real-world phenomenon, then build academic vocabulary and scientific reasoning through guided practice. TEKS 3.12A asks students to explain how temperature and precipitation affect animal growth and behavior through migration and hibernation and plant responses through dormancy. Crystal Instruction's free ClearLessons for 3.12A walk through this progression with modeling, guided practice, and built-in checks for understanding, while the ClearSheets provide scaffolded practice. You can download both free on this page.

      What is 3.12A in 3rd grade Science?

      TEKS 3.12A is a 3rd grade Science standard for Temperature and Precipitation Effects. It requires students to explain how temperature and precipitation affect animal growth and behavior through migration and hibernation and plant responses through dormancy. It is part of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for Grade 3 Science.

      Where can I find free TEKS 3.12A lessons and worksheets?

      You can download free TEKS 3.12A lessons and worksheets directly on this page — no login or account required. Crystal Instruction provides free PDF versions of our Temperature and Precipitation Effects ClearLessons and ClearSheets for Grade 3 Science, and each one is also available as an interactive lesson inside the full Crystal Instruction platform.

      What skills are included in 3rd grade Temperature and Precipitation Effects?

      TEKS 3.12A (Temperature and Precipitation Effects) covers the following 3rd grade Science skills: students learn to explain how temperature and precipitation affect animal growth and behavior through migration and hibernation and plant responses through dormancy. Free resources for this standard include Animal Behavior, Plant Responses.

      Are TEKS 3.12A resources aligned to STAAR?

      Although Grade 3 Science is not directly tested on the Texas STAAR test, TEKS 3.12A builds the foundational skills students need for later STAAR assessments. Every Crystal Instruction ClearSheet for 3.12A is STAAR-aligned, and our ClearLessons are built to STAAR rigor using released STAAR test items, so students practice Temperature and Precipitation Effects at the depth STAAR expects.