Grade Five Science

A. INQUIRY SKILLS

Students will conduct investigations using the processes of scientific inquiry Access information from a variety of reliable sources Design and conduct observational and experimental investigations Select and use appropriate tools to collect and record data, measure data, and make observations Ask questions about phenomena and formulate testable hypothesis Use classification systems Use scientific vocabulary in reporting observations Organize and explain data graphically, using mathematics Analyze, interpret, and evaluate data from observations and investigations Construct representative models of phenomena Describe objects, procedures, and results orally and in writing Summarize and state conclusions of scientific investigations

B. PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Students will compare properties and changes of properties in matter Define matter as anything that has mass, takes up space and occurs in either solid, liquid, or gas Describe changes to matter when heat is added or taken away Explain mass and volume Conduct investigations to compare physical and chemical properties of matter Recognize when matter remains the same and when matter becomes a new substance Infer that matter is constantly in motion
Students will explain how energy is transferred Explore ways that energy is transferred Investigate how light can be refracted, reflected, and absorbed Demonstrate the characteristics of sound waves Compare sound as it travels through different forms of matter Provide examples of how different forms of energy are used in everyday applications Demonstrate that heat moves in a predictable way

C. LIFE SCIENCE

Students will determine relationships between structures and functions in living systems Compare a variety of cells in plants and animals Describe how the cell is the fundamental unit of life Compare single cell and multi-cellular micro organisms Explain the levels of organization found in plants and animals Describe structures and functions of the skeletal-muscular system
Students will understand reproduction Conclude that reproduction is essential to the continuation of all species Compare the role of sperm and eggs in plants and animals Conduct comparative investigations to conclude that plants reproduce in different ways (examples: seeds, roots, stems and leaves)
Students will investigate how populations relate to each other within an ecosystem Differentiate between populations and ecosystems Describe the roles of producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem Illustrate a food web identifying the relationships between producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ecosystem.
Students will compare diversity and adaptations among organisms Describe ways that organisms adapt to their environments Find examples of adaptation from the local environment Use examples of adaptation from plants and animals to explain biological adaptation and the function of diversity in community survival

D. EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE

Students will compare structures of the Earth Distinguish patterns in geological events based on location of fault lines and incidents of earthquakes and volcanoes Determine human efforts to identify and study the Earth’s crust and predict the incident of earthquakes Relate the theory of plate tectonics to major geological events such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and mountain building
Students determine factors that influence the history of the Earth Identify processes that represent slow, continuous change (examples: water, ice, wind,) and those that are fast and catastrophic (examples: volcanoes, meteorites, earthquakes, tidal waves) Describe how fossils provide information about the Earth’s history
Students will study patterns involving Earth in the solar system Show evidence that bodies in the solar system move in predictable patterns Explain solar and lunar eclipses Describe how Earth is different than other planets

E. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Students will demonstrate ability in technological design Design a solution for an identified problem Determine criteria that would be used to gauge the success of the solution Evaluate the completed solution and determine ways to improve the design Communicate the methods and procedures used in each phase of developing the solution
Students will understand about science and technology Illustrate that technology is constantly changing (examples: computers, miniaturization and sophistication, medicine). Compare the intended benefits and unintended consequences of a technology

F. SCIENCE IN PERSONAL AND SOCIAL PERSPECTIVES

Students will practice safety Demonstrate personal and group safety when engaging in science activities
Students will understand the interrelatedness of populations, resources, and environments Determine characteristics of a "quality" versus "polluted" environment Investigate causes for environmental degradation Determine how overpopulation depletes resources
Students will examine risks and benefits of personal and social decisions Analyze environmental risks in the local environment Evaluate the balance between personal responsibility and consequences

G. HISTORY AND NATURE OF SCIENCE

Students will understand science as a human endeavor Identify individuals of various ethnic and gender backgrounds who engage in activities of science, engineering, and related fields (examples: health, geologists, weather scientists) Determine personal qualities needed for achievement in the scientific community
Students will understand the nature of science Describe methods that scientists use to formulate and test their explanations of nature Provide examples of ways that scientists have used new evidence to make modifications on existing explanations (example: space exploration ) Investigate areas in which scientists disagree about the interpretation of evidence and theoretical explanations of the phenomena (examples: extinction of dinosaurs, global warming )
Students will use historical events to understand contemporary science Identify scientists from different ethnic backgrounds who have made contributions to science (examples: George Washington Carver) Describe how scientists in the past have broken through the accepted ideas of their time to reach conclusions that we currently take for granted (example: Gallileo )