Grades 3-5 Core Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy

How is scientific knowledge created and communicated?

Content Standards

Expected Performances

SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY

¨       Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena.

SCIENTIFIC LITERACY

¨       Scientific literacy includes speaking, listening, presenting, interpreting, reading and writing about science.

SCIENTIFIC NUMERACY

¨       Mathematics provides useful tools for the description, analysis and presentation of scientific data and ideas.

B INQ.1           Make observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment.

B INQ.2           Seek relevant information in books, magazines and electronic media.

B INQ.3           Design and conduct simple investigations.

B INQ.4           Employ simple equipment and measuring tools to gather data and extend the senses.

B INQ.5           Use data to construct reasonable explanations.

B INQ.6           Analyze, critique and communicate investigations using words, graphs and drawings.

B INQ.7           Read and write a variety of science-related fiction and nonfiction texts.

B INQ.8           Search the Web and locate relevant science information.

B INQ.9           Use measurement tools and standard units (e.g., centimeters, meters, grams, kilograms) to describe objects and materials.

B INQ.10       Use mathematics to analyze, interpret and present data.

Grade 3

Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances

Content Standards

Expected Performances

Properties of Matter – How does the structure of matter affect the properties and uses of materials?

3.1 - Materials have properties that can be identified and described through the use of simple tests.

¨       Heating and cooling cause changes in some of the properties of materials.

B 1.       Sort and classify materials based on properties such as dissolving in water, sinking and floating, conducting heat, and attracting to magnets.

B 2.       Describe the effect of heating on the melting, evaporation, condensation and freezing of water.

Heredity and Evolution – What processes are responsible for life’s unity and diversity?

3.2 - Organisms can survive and reproduce only in environments that meet their basic needs.

¨       Plants and animals have structures and behaviors that help them survive in different environments.

B 3.       Describe how different plants and animals are adapted to obtain air, water, food and protection in specific land habitats.

B 4.       Describe how different plants and animals are adapted to obtain air, water, food and protection in water habitats.

The Changing Earth – How do materials cycle through the Earth’s systems?

3.3 - Earth materials have different physical and chemical properties.

¨       Rocks and minerals have properties that may be identified through observation and testing; these properties determine how earth materials are used.

B 5.       Describe the physical properties of rocks and relate them to their potential uses.

B 6.       Relate the properties of rocks to the possible environmental conditions during their formation.

Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives?

3.4 - Earth materials provide resources for all living things, but these resources are limited and should be conserved.

¨       Decisions made by individuals can impact the global supply of many resources.

B 7.       Describe how earth materials can be conserved by reducing the quantities used, and by reusing and recycling materials rather than discarding them.

Grade 4

Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances

Content Standards

Expected Performances

Forces and Motion – What makes objects move the way they do?

4.1 - The position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling.

¨       The size of the change in an object’s motion is related to the strength of the push or pull.

¨       The more massive an object is, the less effect a given force will have on its motion.

B 8.       Describe the effects of the strengths of pushes and pulls on the motion of objects.

B 9.       Describe the effect of the mass of an object on its motion.

Matter and Energy in Ecosystems – How do matter and energy flow through ecosystems?

4.2 - All organisms depend on the living and non-living features of the environment for survival.

¨       When the environment changes, some organisms survive and reproduce, and others die or move to new locations.

B 10.   Describe how animals, directly or indirectly, depend on plants to provide the food and energy they need in order to grow and survive.

B 11.   Describe how natural phenomena and some human activities may cause changes to habitats and their inhabitants. 

Energy in the Earth’s Systems – How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems?

4.3 - Water has a major role in shaping the Earth’s surface.

¨       Water circulates through the Earth’s crust, oceans and atmosphere.

B 12.   Describe how the sun’s energy impacts the water cycle.

B 13.   Describe the role of water in erosion and river formation.

Energy Transfer and Transformations – What is the role of energy in our world?

4.4 - Electrical and magnetic energy can be transferred and transformed.

¨       Electricity in circuits can be transformed into light, heat, sound and magnetic effects.

¨       Magnets can make objects move without direct contact between the object and the magnet.

B 14.   Describe how batteries and wires can transfer energy to light a light bulb.

B 15.   Explain how simple electrical circuits can be used to determine which materials conduct electricity.

B 16.   Describe the properties of magnets, and how they can be used to identify and separate mixtures of solid materials.

Grade 5

Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances

Content Standards

Expected Performances

Energy Transfer and Transformations – What is the role of energy in our world?

5.1 - Sound and light are forms of energy.

¨       Sound is a form of energy that is produced by the vibration of objects and is transmitted by the vibration of air and objects.

¨       Light is a form of energy that travels in a straight line and can be reflected by a mirror, refracted by a lens, or absorbed by objects.

B 17.   Describe the factors that affect the pitch and loudness of sound produced by vibrating objects.

B 18.   Describe how sound is transmitted, reflected and/or absorbed by different materials.

B 19.   Describe how light is absorbed and/or reflected by different surfaces.

Structure and Function – How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency and survival?

5.2 - Perceiving and responding to information about the environment is critical to the survival of organisms.

¨       The sense organs perceive stimuli from the environment and send signals to the brain through the nervous system.

B 20.   Describe how light absorption and reflection allow one to see the shapes and colors of objects.

B 21.   Describe the structure and function of the human senses and the signals they perceive.

Earth in the Solar System – How does the position of Earth in the solar system affect conditions on our planet?

5.3 - Most objects in the solar system are in a regular and predictable motion.

¨       The positions of the Earth and moon relative to the sun explain the cycles of day and night, and the monthly moon phases.

B 22.   Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis. 

B 23.   Describe the monthly changes in the appearance of the moon, based on the moon’s orbit around the Earth.

Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives?

5.4 - Humans have the capacity to build and use tools to advance the quality of their lives.

¨      Advances in technology allow individuals to acquire new information about the world.

B 24.   Compare and contrast the structures of the human eye with those of the camera.

B 25.   Describe the uses of different instruments, such as eye glasses, magnifiers, periscopes and telescopes, to enhance our vision.