Embedded Files
3rd Grade Science Units
3rd Grade Science Units
A sample calendar to implement the lessons is available here. The sample calendar has been updated to reflect the in-person instruction schedule. Mrs. Foley's virtual students are approximately one week ahead.
Most lessons include instructional thoughts in the speaker notes of the slides. To see how to access them I have created a 3 minute video available here.
Most lessons include instructional thoughts in the speaker notes of the slides. To see how to access them I have created a 3 minute video available here.
Introductory Unit: Establishing Classroom Culture
Introductory Unit: Establishing Classroom Culture
Welcome to Science
Welcome to Science
Our first two days of Science will kick off with an exploration of a Social Emotional Curriculum called ZONES of Regulation. Students will learn what the four zones are and strategies we can use to help us be ready to learn!
During these two days, in addition to building a positive classroom culture where everyone feels comfortable to share an idea, I will also be modeling the words hypothesis and observation to prepare the students for our first unit.
Lesson One (takes two class periods) Slide Deck Available Here
Lesson Two Slide Deck Available Here
Unit 1: What is Science?
Unit 1: What is Science?
Unit Objectives:
Science is the process of learning about the natural world through observation and experimentation.
The more evidence we have about a theory the more confident we are about it.
You must be willing to change your mind based on new evidence.
Many things around us appear to be science but are not.
Unit Lessons:
Lesson Three: Different Types of Science (Engage and Explore)
Lesson Seven*: Follow Up Activity: Choose Your Own Adventure Virtual Field Trip - updated 1/27/2020
Unit Vocabulary:
Science, Scientific practices, Controlled Experiment, Claim, Evidence, Astrology, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Paleontologist
Unit 1, What is Science? Lab Materials:
Teacher Lab Materials: None required
Student Lab Materials: Paper and optional supplies if students wish to do the egg drop challenge
Additional supplies such as paper and coloring supplies may be required for regular lessons.
Unit 2: Balanced vs Unbalanced
Unit 2: Balanced vs Unbalanced
Unit Objectives:
Force has both strength and direction.
Unbalanced forces cause an object to change its motion.
Balanced forces do not cause a change in motion.
Unit Lessons:
Lesson One: Minecraft Tug of War Lab ( edited 1/29/21)
Lesson Two: Video and Discussion (edited 2/7/21)
Lesson Three: Bouncy Ball Investigation (edited 2/9/21)
Lesson Four: Vocabulary Hot Seat (edited 2/11/21)
Lesson Five: Kahoot! Review (edited 2/22/21)
Two days allotted for review lesson due to regression that may have occurred during break.
Lesson Six: End of Unit Assessment (edited 3/1/21)
Lesson Seven*: Extension Activity: Balance Video and Game (edited 3/2/21)
Unit Vocabulary:
Force, Balanced Force, Motion, Unbalanced Force, Strength, Gravity
Unit 2, Balanced vs Unbalanced Lab Materials:
Teacher Lab Materials: sample of student supplies to model with
Student Lab Materials (lesson 1): String (2 ft long)
Student Lab Materials (lesson 3): bouncy ball and a ruler or book to balance the ball on
Additional supplies such as paper and coloring supplies may be required for regular lessons.
Unit 3: Water Cycle
Unit 3: Water Cycle
Unit Objectives:
Water on Earth is millions of years old and is constantly being recycled.
Water vapor is constantly evaporating from the surface of the Earth.
Water vapor in the air condenses to form clouds.
Water falls back to earth and the cycle repeats.
Unit 3 Lessons:
Lesson 1: Video and Discussion (edited 3/8/21)
Lesson 2: Water Cycle Poster with Glossary (edited 3/10/21)
Lesson 3: Solar Bowl Lab Observation (edited 3/14/21)
Lesson 4: Vocabulary Hot Seat (edited 3/15/21)
Lesson 6: End of Unit 3 Assessment (edited 3/8/21)
Vocabulary:
condensation, precipitation, evaporation, gravity, water vapor
Unit 3, The Water Cycle Lab Materials:
Teacher Lab Materials: no materials needed for this unit
Student Lab Materials: no materials needed for this unit
Additional supplies such as paper and coloring supplies may be required for regular lessons.
Unit 4: Earth's Orbit and Rotation
Unit 4: Earth's Orbit and Rotation
Unit Objectives:
The earth rotates on its axis every 24 hours.
The earth orbits around the sun every 365.25 days.
Earth’s rotation causes observable patterns like night & day.
Earth’s orbit causes some stars to be visible only in certain months.
Unit Lessons:
Unit Vocabulary:
Earth's Orbit, Earth's Rotation, Solar system, Shadow, Foucault pendulum, Sundial
Unit 5: Natural Disasters
Unit 5: Natural Disasters
Unit Objectives:
Earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanoes are a result of natural processes.
Earthquakes and volcanoes occur in patterns on Earth’s surface.
They are mainly found along the boundaries between oceans and continents.
Humans cannot eliminate these hazards, but we can take steps to reduce their impact.
Unit Lessons:
Lesson 1: The Flood That Came to Grandma's House, Read Aloud
Lesson 4: Newspaper Project - students pick 2 pages of newspaper to complete. In person students can find a printable version here.
Lesson 7*: Enrichment Activity - EPIC Book and Video Collection
Unit Vocabulary:
Seismograph, Earthquake, Natural Disasters, Tsunami, Volcano, Magma, Earth's Plates, Earth's Crust
Unit 6: Animal and Plant Life Cycles
Unit 6: Animal and Plant Life Cycles
Unit Objectives:
A life cycle shows how living things grow and change over time.
Plants start as seeds then most form flowers & fruit.
Animals start from eggs or live birth then they grow up and mate.
All life cycles start at birth, end with death and involve growth & reproduction
Unit Lessons:
Lesson 1: Life Cycle of a Butterfly Hat (A butterfly is patient.)
Lesson 2: Life Cycle of a Plant Comic Strip (To be like the sun.)
Lesson 5: Research Own Animal and Draw Habitat
Lesson 6: Kahoot! Review of Unit
There is no end of unit test for Unit 6. The kahoot can be used to assess student understanding.
Lesson 7*: Enrichment Activity - EPIC
Lesson 8*: Genius (Passion) Project
Unit Vocabulary:
Life Cycle, Metamorphosis, Larvae, Chrysalis, Germination, Seedling, Pollination
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