Unit 1: Structure and Properties of Matter

In this unit, students will be able to…

• understand the 3 states of matter (solid, liquid, gas)

• describe properties of matter

• compare and contrast properties of matter

• understand absorbency, strength, and flexibility

• identify reversible and irreversible changes in matter

Unit 2: Deepen Conceptual Understanding of Measurement

In this unit, students will be able to…

• connect measurement with physical units by using multiple copies of the same physical unit to measure

• use iteration with one physical unit to measure

• measure lengths using centimeter cubes, unit rulers, and meter sticks

• measure and compare lengths using standard metric length units and non- standard length units; relate measurement and unit size

• use string to measure irregular objects/lines

Unit 3: Earth's Systems: Processes that Shape the Earth

In this unit, the students will understand about fast and slow earth changes such as…

• volcanoes

• earthquakes

• glaciers

• wind and wave weathering

• rain erosion

• ice and plant weathering

Unit 4: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems

In this unit, the students will learn about various biomes and the plants and animals that live there. The students will...

• gain knowledge about different habitats

• learn about the characteristics, climate, animals, and plants in the ocean, rainforest, desert, polar, forest, freshwater, and grassland biomes

• develop an understanding of conservation

• identify what plants need to survive

• understand photosynthesis

• compare different leaves of plants and plant adaptations

• understand the interdependence between plants and animals

Engineering and Design (Throughout)

The children will…

• ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through a new object or tool

• develop a sketch or model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function to solve a problem

• analyze data by testing two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs