Norris School District, Curriculum

Science 3

TEXTBOOK

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DESCRIPTION

                Science 3 is required for all third grade students.  It meets four days a week for 30 minutes per session. The areas of concentration are:  Wetlands, Moon, Nutrition, Water, Magnetism & Electricity, Trees, Heat,

                 Skeletal  System.

                Students are encouraged to use the scientific method  of  thinking  and a hands on approach  when studying                                these areas.     

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Unifying concepts and processes  (4.1)          

1.             Students                will observe and identify bones in our body and the functions of our skeleton. (4.1.1)

2.             Students will construct a skeletal model. (4.1.1)

    Science as Inquiry (4.2)

1.             Students will demonstrate knowledge of the vocabulary and procedures of the scientific method through a variety of experiments. (4.2. 1)

2.             Students will identify and use the methods of investigation, observation, data collection, reflection and communication of result conclusions. (4.2. 1)

Physical Science (4.3)

1 .            Students will list sources of heat energy. (4.3.3)

2.             Students will explain the transformation of electrical energy into heat and mechanical energy.(4.3.3)

3 .            Students will identify and explain the advantages and disadvantages of solar vs. electrical energy. (4.3.3)

4.             Students will illustrate and explain the water cycle. (4.3. 1)

S.             Students will identify and explain the properties of water. (4.3. 1)

6.             Students will sequence the steps involved in changing water into electrical energy. (4.3.3)

7.             Students will observe the interaction of magnets with a variety of common materials. (4.3.3)

8.             Students will demonstrate that magnets display forces of attraction and repulsion. (4.3.2)

9.             Students will measure the change in force between  two magnets as distance between them changes. (4.3.3)

10.           Students will construct a variety of circuits (i.e. open, closed, parallel, and series circuits).(4.3.3)

11.            The students will identify materials that are conductors and insulators. (4.3.3)

Life Science (4.4)

1 .            Students will compare and contrast a wetland to the forest, rainforest, and polar habitat. (4.4.3)

2.             The students will analyze the economic value of wetlands. (4.4.3)

3 .            Students will predict the changes that occur during the seasonal cycles of the wetlands. (4.4.3)

Earth and Space (4.5)

1.             Students will observe, record and explain the phases of the moon. (4.5.2)

2.             The students will identify and explain the characteristics of the moon in comparison to the earth.(4.5.2)

Science and Technology (4.6)

1 .            Students will identify, compare, and explain the differences in natural and man-made satellites. (4.6.3)

2.            The students will explain the importance of contributions of men and women in technological invention

               related to science. (4.6.2)

Social Perspectives (4.7)

1.             The students will identify and explain the importance of good nutrition. (4.7. 1)

2.              The students will identify the food groups using the food pyramid and classify healthy and unhealthy     

               foods. (4.7.1)

3 .            Students will identify and explain the steps for dental health. (4.7. 1)

History and Nature (4.8)

1 .            Students will explain how science is a process and changes as new data is collected and tested.(4.8.1)

2.            The students will identify men and women from many cultures and backgrounds that havecontributed to advancements in science and technology. (4.8. 1)

3 .            Students will demonstrate and describe how the scientific inquiry method is used in othercontent areas and will be used in future careers. (4.8.1)