Unifying Concepts and
Processes
Systems, Order, & Organization
Laws of force, motion, classification of organisms, planetary motion.
Evidence, Models, Explanation
Prediction, probability, hypotheses, models, laws.
Constancy, Change, Measurement
Rate, scale, patterns, trends, cycles.
Evolution & Equilibrium
Changes in environment, populations, ecosystems, conservation of energy, natural- and
human- induced hazards.
Form & Function
Diversity and adoption of organisms, interaction of energy and matter, behavior of
organisms.
Science as Inquiry
Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigation.
Design and conduct scientific investigation.
Use technology and mathematics to improve investigation and
communication.
Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and
evidence |
Content
Life Science:
Characteristics of Organisms
 | Describe and/or record changes due to growth development of living things. |
| Classify animals according to shared characteristics. |
| Distinguish characteristics per group. |
Life
Cycles and Heredity
| Describe and sequence/predict the life cycle of a mealworm or snail. |
| Relate information about living things that can be derived from studying fossils. |
Organisms
and Their Environment
| Describe how animals utilize their senses to interact with their environment. |
| Describe the seasonal changes of animals, including hibernation and migration. |
| Discuss an animal's interaction with a habitat. |
Earth and Space Science:
Structure
of the Earth System
| Describe the mixture of gases that make up the air in the world around us. |
| Demonstrate that wind is moving air. |
| Relate temperature changes to the seasons. |
| Describe the effects of temperature changes on the environment. |
Earth
in the Solar System
| Relate the earth's movement through space to periodic phenomena of seasons of the year
and day/night. |
| Explore the concept of the earth's relationship to the sun. |
Physical Science:
Chemistry
- Properties of Matter
| Sort objects by a combination of more than two observable properties. |
| Identify the characteristics of liquids, solids, and gases. |
| Classify matter as a solid, liquid, or gas. |
Physics
– Motion and Forces
| Describe and explain effects of a push/pull force on an object. |
| Identify the weight (mass) and/or volume of solids and liquids. |
| Compare objects of various weights (masses) to predict if they will balance. |
| Demonstrate conditions under which objects can be balanced. |
Technology and
Engineering:
Materials
and Tools
| Construct simple three-dimensional structures demonstrating
safe and proper use of classroom tools and materials (e.g. glue, scissors, ruler, paper,
straws, spools, etc.) |
Engineering
Design Process
| Identify common levers and pulleys. |
| Explain the various parts used in construction of simple
machines. |
| Identify which simple machines are used for a specific purpose. |
|
Science Applications
Identify a problem or design an opportunity.
Propose designs and choose between alternative solutions.
Implement a proposed solution.
Evaluate the solution and its proposed consequences.
Communicate the problem, process, and solution.
Science: Personal & Social Perspectives
Personal and community health.
Population growth.
Natural resources.
Environmental quality.
Natural- and Human-induced hazards.
History and Nature
of Science
Science as Human Endeavor
Requiring reasoning, insight, energy, skill, and creativity, as well as habits of mind,
i.e., intellectual honesty, tolerance of ambiguity, skepticism, and openness to new ideas.
Nature of Scientific Knowledge
Including evaluation of experiments, observations, theoretical models, proposed
explanations, evidence, reasoning, and alternate conclusions.
Historical Perspectives
Including the study of famous scientists and discoveries. |