Science

Mystery Science – Grade 5

Mystery Science is a hands-on, inquiry-based science curriculum that sparks curiosity and makes learning fun. Each lesson begins with a real-world mystery and guides students through exploration, discovery, and hands-on projects. By the end, students not only learn important scientific concepts but also practice thinking like scientists.

In fifth grade, students explore topics such as the properties and changes of matter, the solar system, and ecosystems. The program is fully aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and is designed to be engaging for students and easy for teachers to use.

Key Features for Students and Families

• Inquiry-Based Learning
  Students begin with a question or mystery and work toward building explanations, encouraging curiosity and critical thinking.
  
  

• Engaging Lessons
  Lessons start with short videos that introduce an exciting real-world phenomenon. Students then discuss ideas, test their thinking, and reflect on what they’ve learned.
  
  

• Hands-On Activities
  Most lessons include simple, hands-on experiments or projects using everyday materials, giving students the chance to learn by doing.
  
  

• Real-World Connections
  Science concepts are tied directly to real-life examples. Special “Anchor Layer” projects provide extended opportunities for deeper exploration.
  
  

• NGSS-Aligned
  The curriculum is built around national science standards, ensuring your child is learning grade-level concepts in ways that are meaningful and connected to the world around them.

5th Grade Unit Topics

• Properties and Changes of Matter
  Students explore how matter is conserved, how substances dissolve, what happens during chemical reactions, and how matter changes between different states.
  
  

• Stars and the Solar System
  Students investigate the solar system, the role of gravity, and why stars appear the way they do in the night sky.
  
  

• Ecosystems and the Food Web
  Students examine how plants, animals, and decomposers (like ants and fungi) interact within ecosystems to form food webs.
  
  

• Earth and Space Patterns
  Students study patterns such as the movement of the Earth, Moon, and Sun, exploring how these cycles explain day and night, the seasons, and the phases of the Moon.
  
  

• Water Cycle and Earth Systems
  Students learn how Earth’s systems interact through the movement of water, including evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection. They also see how these processes shape Earth’s surface and support life.

Embryology