Science

3rd Grade Science

Curriculum

Course Title: Science

Department: Science

Primary Resources:

· FOSS

Units of Study:

· Topic 1: Life’s adaptations to survival in its habitat

· Topic 2: Energy transfer and human use

· Topic 3: Seasonal weather changes and its impact on living and non-living things

· Topic 4: Force and Motion

Curriculum-Based Assessments: Science notebook and teacher observation

Standardized Assessments: N/A

Description of Course: Unit 1: Students learn to identify the properties of plants and animals and group organisms based on their properties. Students investigate the functions of plant and animal structures and how they relate to growth and survival. Students explore the life cycle of an animal and identify the characteristics they inherit from their parents. Students explore how natural and human activities impact survival of organisms. Students look for solutions to reduce the impact of human impact on these habitats.

Unit 2: Students investigate several ways energy transfers in the environment (ex. sound, heat, light.) They then look at ways humans harness energy to do work (ex. heat their homes, light a room.)

Unit 3: Students examine rocks in detail and discover that rocks are made of combinations of minerals. They identify rocks and minerals by observing their properties, e.g. color and hardness. Students then investigate the effects of weathering on an ecosystem.

Unit 4: Students investigate balanced and unbalanced forces and how they cause movement. They then apply these observations to predict future movement.