SCIENCE
A high-quality, science education is a hands-on, collaborative, and integrated
environment centered in inquiry and discovery. In addition to learning important
scientific concepts, students learn to think on their own, problem solve, communicate,
and collaborate, in a student-centered environment. Earth science studies the
growing problem of plastic disposables to introduce the systems of Earth;
atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere. Students explore each system
and develop a model to describe the ways the systems interact and the effect of
change on one or more of the systems.
Throughout physical science, 5th grade students continue their exploration into the
properties and structures of matter. Students will investigate the concept that matter is
made up of smaller particles that can be seen, learn about phase change and explore
gases as a state of matter. 5th grade students study life science by exploring the
interaction of organisms and the flow of energy within an ecosystem. Students will
build models of food webs and describe the roles of producers, consumers and
decomposers in the balance within an ecosystem.
Science Standards
Students will learn about the following science strands:
Process Skills
Use the process skills of observing, questioning, and measuring.
Communicate findings of observations.
Demonstrate scientific concepts through illustrations, performances, models,
exhibits.
Matter and Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair,
growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun.
Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly
from air and water.
Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals,
decomposers, and the environment.
Earth’s Systems
Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere,
hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact.
Describe and graph the amounts and percentages of water and fresh water in
various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.
Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use
science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
Structure and Properties of Matter
Determine that all matter is made up of particles that are too small to be seen.
Discover that particles can be rearranged to create new substances.
Determine that some properties can be used to help identify matter.
Determine the cause-and-effect relationship between temperature and phase
change.
