GRADE 3 Science

Contents Page

GRADE 5 Science

 

GRADE: 4

TOPIC: Forces & Motion (4.1)

 

STAGE 1: IDENTIFY DESIRED RESULTS

Content Standard(s)

Generalizations about what students should know and be able to do

Established Goals:

State Conceptual Theme IV: Forces & Motion

 What makes objects move the way they do?

Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy

 

Enduring Understandings

Insights learned from exploring generalizations via the essential questions (Students will understand THAT…)

Essential Questions

Inquiry used to explore generalizations

 

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

The constant interplay of forces dictates the position of objects.

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

 

What makes objects move the way they do?

What is a force?

What roles do physical forces play in the position of objects?

How can you measure a force?

Knowledge and Skills

What students are expected to know and be able to do

Students will know…

 

Pushing and pulling affects the motion of objects.

 

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

 

The impact of push and pull on an object is determined by the degree of force and the mass of the object.

Students will be able to…

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

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

 

Describe how physical forces influence what happens to an object.

 

Measure, graph and analyze data on the physics of motion.

STAGE 2: DETERMINE ACCEPTABLE EVIDENCE

Performance Task(s)

Authentic application in new context to evaluate student achievement of desired results designed according to GRASPS (Goal, Role, Audience, Setting Performance, Standards)

Other Evidence

Application that is functional in a classroom context only to evaluate student achievement of desired results

 

You are a toy manufacturer.  You have been asked to create a toy car that does not run on electricity or gas, and is able to travel a distance of between 2 and 3 meters.  You must design your car and propulsion method and include a diagram.  Conduct an experiment with your prototype and modify as needed so that it travels the desired distance.  Record all your data and be prepared to present to your boss.

 

Teacher Observations

Daily Work

Center Work

Homework

Topic Assessments

 

SUGGESTED RESOURCES:

 

Teaching Physics with Toys 

Science in a Nutshell – Class Packs & Clusters

 

 

TOPIC: Food Chains (4.2)

 

STAGE 1: IDENTIFY DESIRED RESULTS

Content Standard(s)

Generalizations about what students should know and be able to do

Established Goals:

State Conceptual Theme V: Matter & Energy in Ecosystems

How do matter and energy flow through ecosystems?

Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy

 

Enduring Understandings

Insights learned from exploring generalizations via the essential questions (Students will understand THAT…)

Essential Questions

Inquiry used to explore generalizations

 

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

Human activity greatly impacts the environment.

Plants play an integral role in the survival of animals.

 

How do living things depend upon and interact with each other?

How does human activity impact habitats and animals?

How do natural phenomena impact habitats and animals?

 

Knowledge and Skills

What students are expected to know and be able to do

Students will know…

 

Animals depend on plants in order to survive.

Changes to habitats impact the inhabitants.

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

Natural phenomena can change the environment and disrupt the food chain.

 

Students will be able to…

 

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

 

Demonstrate how natural phenomena and some human activities may cause changes to habitats and their inhabitants. 

STAGE 2: DETERMINE ACCEPTABLE EVIDENCE

Performance Task(s)

Authentic application in new context to evaluate student achievement of desired results designed according to GRASPS (Goal, Role, Audience, Setting Performance, Standards)

Other Evidence

Application that is functional in a classroom context only to evaluate student achievement of desired results

 

As a biologist, you have been hired by the First Selectman of Waterford.  Being a coastal community, there is concern about the affects a massive hurricane would have on local plant and animal life.  He has received differing reports from groups as to whether or not there will be any effect, and you must settle the debate.  You must research a past recent massive storm and determine if it did affect the ecosystem of that area.  You will present your findings and predictions for Waterford in any way you see fit.

 

Teacher Observations

Daily Work

Center Work

Homework

Topic Assessments

 

SUGGESTED RESOURCES:

 

Insight Kit  “Living Things”

Science In a Nutshell – Class Packs & Clusters

 

 

 

TOPIC: Land & Water Interactions (4.3)

 

STAGE 1: IDENTIFY DESIRED RESULTS

Content Standard(s)

Generalizations about what students should know and be able to do

Established Goals:

State Conceptual Theme IX:  Energy in the Earth’s Systems

 How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems?

Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy

 

Enduring Understandings

Insights learned from exploring generalizations via the essential questions (Students will understand THAT…)

Essential Questions

Inquiry used to explore generalizations

 

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

Heat and energy control the water cycle.

 

How do sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems?

How can you measure what you can’t see?

Knowledge and Skills

What students are expected to know and be able to do

Students will know…

 

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

 

The role the sun plays in the water cycle.

 

The role water plays in erosion and river formation.

 

The role of heat/energy in the changes of state of water.

Students will be able to…

 

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

 

Demonstrate the role of water in erosion and river formation.

 

STAGE 2: DETERMINE ACCEPTABLE EVIDENCE

Performance Task(s)

Authentic application in new context to evaluate student achievement of desired results designed according to GRASPS (Goal, Role, Audience, Setting Performance, Standards)

Other Evidence

Application that is functional in a classroom context only to evaluate student achievement of desired results

 

You have been hired by the First Selectman of Waterford to discuss the effects of massive storms.  Being a coastal community, there is concern about the effects a major hurricane would have on local plant and animal life.  You have been asked to research a recent hurricane and talk about its effects on the area.  You should focus on damage caused and how you think it affects local plant and animal life based on what you have learned about ecosystems.  You can present your findings on a poster, using a diorama, or through a written report.

 

 

Teacher Observations

Daily Work

Center Work

Homework

Topic Assessments

 

SUGGESTED RESOURCES:

Magic School Bus at the Waterworks – Tradebook

Science in a Nutshell – Class Packs & Clusters

 

 

 

 

TOPIC: Electricity & Magnetism (4.4)

 

STAGE 1: IDENTIFY DESIRED RESULTS

Content Standard(s)

Generalizations about what students should know and be able to do

Established Goals:

State Conceptual Theme III:  Energy Transfer & Transformations

What is the role of energy in our world?

Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy

 

Enduring Understandings

Insights learned from exploring generalizations via the essential questions (Students will understand THAT…)

Essential Questions

Inquiry used to explore generalizations

 

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

Some materials conduct electricity better than others.

Magnets produce electricity.

 

What is the role of energy in our world?

How can you make something move without making contact with it?

How can you see the movement of energy?

Knowledge and Skills

What students are expected to know and be able to do

Students will know…

 

How to demonstrate transfer of energy.

 

How to determine if a material conducts electricity.

 

The properties of magnets.

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.

 

Students will be able to…

Demonstrate how batteries and wires can transfer energy to light a light bulb.

 

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

 

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

 

STAGE 2: DETERMINE ACCEPTABLE EVIDENCE

Performance Task(s)

Authentic application in new context to evaluate student achievement of desired results designed according to GRASPS (Goal, Role, Audience, Setting Performance, Standards)

Other Evidence

Application that is functional in a classroom context only to evaluate student achievement of desired results

 

CT State Department Embedded Task for Grade 4 ~ “Go With the Flow” -MANDATORY

 

 

 

Teacher Observations

Daily Work

Center Work

Homework

Topic Assessments

 

SUGGESTED RESOURCES:

 

Houghton-Mifflin Discovery Works ~ “Magnetism and Electricity”

AIMS ~ Electrical Connections

Magnificent Magnets Spectrum

Science in a Nutshell – Class Packs & Clusters

Millstone Resource Staff