Science
Children have a natural sense of curiosity about living things in the world around them. Building on this curiosity, students can develop an understanding of biology concepts through direct experience with living things, their life cycles and their habitats. This curriculum was developed students in mind. Many believe that students learn best through their experiences and interactions with the world. They learn by listening, observing, experimenting and applying their knowledge to real-world situations. Each activity within this curriculum follows these steps in the experiential learning model.
An additional goal of this curriculum is to help students develop life skills. Life skills are abilities that help an individual live a productive and satisfying life. Within this curriculum your students will have the opportunity to develop life skills related to science processes, teamwork, keeping records, and planning and organizing.
Science and Technology Concepts (STC)
- Motion and Design
The Motion and Design unit combines the physics of forces and motion with technological design.Students use plastic construction materials, weights, rubber bands, and propellers to design and build vehicles, then test how those vehicles respond to different forces of motion.
Motion and Design Links to Explore:
Rollercoaster Fun
http://www.funderstanding.com/educators/coaster/
Projectiles
http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/projectile-motion/projectile-motion_en.html
Forces in Action
http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/scienceclips/ages/10_11/forces_action.shtml
Galileo Drops the Ball
The Compound Machine
http://www.edheads.org/activities/odd_machine/
Fantastic Contraption
http://fantasticcontraption.com/
Medieval Levers
http://www.wonderville.ca/asset/medieval-levers
Archery Practice
The Doppler Train
Friction
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/ks2/science/physical_processes/friction/read/1/
http://www.partsgeek.com/mmparts/physics_for_kids_simple_machines_in_automobiles.html
Thank you to the after school tutoring program at the Sutter Library for the above link...it's AWESOME!
- Animal Studies
By caring for and observing three unique animals during the Animal Studies unit—the dwarf African frog,the fiddler crab, and the millipede—students are able to focus on animal behavior, comparing and contrasting the needs, behaviors, and anatomical structures of each organism.
Animal Studies Vocabulary:
Simply scan the codes to see the definition!