3rd Grade Science
Skills to Know
Earth and Space Science
Patterns in Day and Night
Sunlight warms the Earth’s surface.
Patterns of sun, moon, and stars apparent motion in the day and night sky
Seasonal changes of sunrise and sunset
Some events on Earth occur in cycles, like day and night.
What is Matter and How does it change?
Structure and properties of matter
Heating or cooling can change the properties of matter
Physical Science
Forces at Work
Forces and Motion
Pushes and pulls
Energy transfer
Size of the object impacts force and motion
Life Science
Stability & Change in Plants and Animals
Plants and the function of their structures
Life cycles of plants and animals
Pollination of plants by animals
Changes in habitat and its effects on plants and animals
Plants and animals can change their environment.
Plants and animals (including humans) can change their environment (eg. the shape of the land, the flow of water.)
Humans can impact the environment
Activities to Try
Earth and Space Science
Learning Target: How do develop an understanding of the patterns of the sun and the moon and the sun's effect on Earth.
Start a log on the appearance of the moon. In the log, you will record observations of how the moon changes over time. This observation will take place for 5 days (Monday-Friday). Each day, observe the moon, draw a picture of it, and write 1 to 2 sentences about how it looks and how it has changed. At the end of the five days, talk time with a family member about the changes you notice.
What did you notice on day 1 of the observation?
What did you notice on day 5 of the observation?
What changes did you see in the 5-day observation?
Physical Science
Learning Target: How do I demonstrate and explain the effect of a force (a push or a pull) in the movement of an object (changes in speed and direction)?
In this investigation, you will find two different types of paper. Make a plane using each sheet of paper. Then make a prediction about how far each plane will fly. After your prediction is recorded, then conduct your test for each plane. Use a tape measure to measure how far each plane flew. Then answer the following question and complete the next step to improve your design.
Which goes farther? Why?
Which plane was lighter or heavier? Did that make a difference?
Improve your designs by adding tape and or paper clips. Repeat your investigation.
Life Science
Learning Target: How do I explain an animal's role in dispersing seeds or in the pollination of plants?
Watch the Bee Movie. As you watch the movie, record how bees help the environment. What did you notice about the bees when they were able to pollinate? What happened to the environment when the bees were not able to pollinate. Discuss what you learned about bees and how they help the environment with a family member.
Learning Target: How do I communicate about the life cycles of different organisms?
Research the life cycle of an animal or plant. Then on a sheet of paper, you will illustrate and label the life cycle of the animal or plant. Explain the steps of the life cycle in your own words.
Learning Target: How do I learn new information as I read?
Choose a book from the list below. Before you begin reading, make a prediction about the book based on the title and illustration (picture). List three questions that you wonder or want to know more about after reading the book. Once you have written your prediction and your 3 questions, take a picture walk. A picture walk is when you view the pictures and discuss what is taking place on each page. Now, it is time to read the book. After you have finished reading, go back and look at your prediction and questions.
Was your prediction correct?
Did you answer your questions?
Did you enjoy the book? Why? or Why not?
Science About Me - List the following: Inherited Eye Color, Favorite Animal, Favorite Learned Behavior and Favorite source of energy(food).
Science Books on myOn
Earth and Space Science
Earth
El Sol
El Sol/ The Sun
Looking for Light
Planets
Puntos de luz: Un libro sobre las estrellas( Spots of Light: A Book About Stars
Shooting Stars
Show me Space
Physical Science
Matter
Matter is Everything
The Simple Science of Matter
Todo es materia
How Do We Stay on Earth?
How Things Move
How to Build a Fizzy Rocket
How to Build a Tornado in a Bottle
Magnetism
Magnets, Push, Magnets, Pull
Pushers and Pulls
Life Science
A Beans Life Cycle
A Butterfly's Life Cycle
A Frog's Life Cycle
All About Mammals
All About Seeds
Plant Packages: A Book About Seeds
Plant Parts Smarter: Science Adventures with the Charlie The Origami Bee
Plant Plumbing: A Book About Roots and Stems
Extra Readings
Papa’s Mechanical Fish by Candace Fleming
Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee
Counting on Katherine by Helaine Becker
Papa, Please Get the Moon For Me by Eric Carle & Little Simon
The Man Who Named the Clouds by Julie Hanna and Joan Holub
Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse
A Drop of Water: A Book of Science and Wonder by Walter Wick
The Remarkable Farkle McBride by John Lithgow
Did a Dinosaur Drink This Water? by Robert E. Wells
Thunder Cake by Patricia Polacco