Science Curriculum
Science Processes:
Properties of Matter
Organization of Living Things
Solid Earth
- Develop an understanding that scientific inquiry and reasoning involves observing, questioning, investigating, recording, and developing solutions to problems.
- Develop an understanding that scientific inquiry and investigations require analysis and communication of findings, using appropriate technology.
- Develop an understanding that claims and evidence for their scientific merit should be analyzed. Understand how scientists decide what constitutes scientific knowledge.
- Develop an understanding of the importance of reflection on scientific knowledge and its application to new situations to better understand the role of science in society and technology.
Properties of Matter
- Develop an understanding that all matter has observable attributes with physical and chemical properties that are described, measured, and compared
- Understand that states of matter exist as solid, liquid, or gas; and have physical and chemical properties.
- Understand all matter is composed of combinations of elements, which are organized by common attributes and characteristics on the Periodic Table.
- Understand that substances can be classified as mixtures or compounds and according to their physical and chemical properties.
Organization of Living Things
- Develop an understanding that plants and animals (including humans) have basic requirements for maintaining life which include the need for air, water, and a source of energy.
- Understand that all life forms can be classified as producers, consumers, or decomposers as they are all part of a global food chain where food/energy is supplied by plants which need light to produce food/energy.
- Develop an understanding that plants and animals can be classified by observable traits and physical characteristics.
- Understand that all living organisms are composed of cells and they exhibit cell growth and division.
- Understand that all plants and animals have a definite life cycle, body parts, and systems to perform specific life functions.
- Develop an understanding that all life forms must reproduce to survive.
- Understand that characteristics of mature plants and animals may be inherited or acquired and that only inherited traits are passed on to their young.
- Understand that inherited traits can be influenced by changes in the environment and by genetics.
Solid Earth
- Develop an understanding of the properties of Earth materials and how those properties make materials useful.
- Understand gradual and rapid changes in Earth materials and features of the surface of Earth.
- Understand magnetic properties of Earth.
- Develop an understanding that Earth is a planet nearly covered with water and that water on Earth can be found in three states, solid, liquid, and gas.
- Understand how water on Earth moves in predictable patterns.
- Understand Earth’s atmosphere as a mixture of gases and water vapor.