Science Science is a set of processes that includes asking questions to gain a better understanding of our world. Our science curriculum focuses on encouraging students’ curiosity, creativity, and interest. Through hands-on experiences, students use the process of scientific inquiry, learn new skills, and gain an understanding of key scientific concepts. Students’ ability to investigate scientifically helps them in all areas of learning. Grade Five Science Learning Standards
The goal of science education is to develop in learners an understanding of the inquiry process as it is related to key concepts and principles of the life, physical, and earth/space sciences. The curriculum addresses the integration of the sciences with technology and society as students learn to connect the importance of scientific knowledge to its application in everyday life. Students will understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and solve problems. Students will be able to: • brainstorm possible questions for investigation consideration • convert questions into hypothesis statements • identify simple independent and dependent variables to be investigated • choose procedural steps and organize them into a logical sequence • collect accurate data, with appropriate measuring instruments, from multiple trials • organize data into charts or graphs for data analysis • draw reasonable and accurate conclusions based on data Students will understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and interconnections of the life, physical, and earth/space sciences. Students will be able to: • develop a working knowledge of key vocabulary related to units of study • classify plant and animal groupings according to simple taxonomic guides • describe the interaction between living and nonliving factors in an ecosystem • compare food chains/webs in various ecosystems and classify organisms by their niche in the food web: producer, consumer, decomposer, or scavenger • identify survival behaviors of animals and plants • examine the flow of energy and determine how electrical energy can be converted to light, heat, sound, and magnetic energy • differentiate between the three states of matter and describe the properties of a solid, liquid, and gas • use the water cycle to explain changes that occur in the atmosphere during different weather conditions • recognize that weather is caused by the uneven heating of the Earth by the sun • describe short-term and long-term changes in Earth’s climate • examine ways that people can preserve and conserve natural resources
40
Grade Five Program of Studies