| 5th Grade Science Curriculum |
| Science Select |
| FIFTH GRADE MODULE TITLES AND DESCRIPTIONS 5.1 INTRODUCTORY 10 Days This module introduces fifth grade science students to classroom and laboratory procedures, methods and techniques that will be followed throughout the year. The lessons in this ten-day module are also designed to help establish cooperative group behaviors in a laboratory setting. 5.2 MATTER (Physical Science A) 17 Days The focus of this module is to incorporate the concepts and vocabulary of matter through a combination of theory and hands-on laboratory investigations. Students will become familiar with the properties and behaviors of matter in various states. They will explore the critical attributes of mixtures and solutions and investigate constants such as melting, boiling and freezing points. 5.3 ENERGY (Physical Science B) 25 Days The energy module is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on energy, in general, and on electricity and magnetism, in particular. The second part explores light, sound, thermal and alternate energy. Combining hands-on investigations and theory, the lessons in this module help promote an understanding of the characteristics of the different types of energy. Students also learn that while energy constantly changes from one form to another, no energy is lost or gained in the process. 5.4 EARTH AND ITS RESOURCES (Earth Science A) 28 Days This module introduces the concepts and vocabulary relating to the formation of the Earth’s resources and factors that cause change to the Earth over time. The module contains activities and laboratory investigations to help students learn about the identification, formation, classification, location, recovery and conservation of natural resources. 5.5 EARTH, MOON, CYCLES AND SYSTEMS (Earth Science B) 25 Days In this module, cooperative groups will use models and complete activities that help them understand that systems are a collection of cycles, structures and processes that interact. They will concentrate on the Earth and moon system, review the solar system, and identify gravity and inertia as the forces that keep the planets and moons in orbit. Students will investigate and identify events and changes that take place on a regular basis such as, in daily, weekly, lunar and seasonal cycles. They will also examine the processes that happen during the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles. 5.6 INTERACTION OF LIVING THINGS (Life Science A) 26 Days Lessons in this module include the identification and critical attributes of ecosystems and Earth biomes. These lessons explore relationships between organisms in a habitat and look at specific adaptations that help these organisms compete and survive. They compare behaviors that are a result of instinct (heredity) with those that are learned. Activities and laboratory investigations help students learn about the effects of living (biotic) and nonliving (abiotic) limiting factors on the ability of plants and animals to carry on life processes in an ecosystem. 5.7 LIFE CYCLES, HEREDITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT (Life Sci B) 32 Days This module introduces concepts, vocabulary and comparisons relating to the structures and functions of plant parts and the life cycles of plants and animals. Cooperative groups investigate processes such as photosynthesis, transpiration, cellular respiration, pollination and germination in plants and direct development and metamorphosis in animals. Lessons explore how inherited traits are passed on from parents to offspring from one generation to the next. They also compare the role of heredity (nature) with that of the influences from the environment (nurture) in the growth and development of a person. IDEAS FOR THE END OF THE YEAR These are ideas for one or two day mini-lessons to finish the last week of the school year. |
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| Fifth Grade Overview |