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 adaptation 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
 | Identify the parts of a plant and describe the function of each part of the plant. |
| Classify plants based on their individual characteristics. |
| Describe the interdependence of plant functions and how these functions relate to the
plant’s survival. |
| Relate foliage change to chlorophyll loss. |
Life
Cycles and Heredity
| Describe the basic life cycle of plants including
decomposition. |
| Identify stages in the life cycle of a white pine tree. |
| Compare life cycle of the white pine tree to other plants. |
Organisms
and Their Environment
| Describe the interactions of living things with their
environment. |
| Explain how living things adapt/migrate/die. |
| Describe the interdependence of living things within a closed system (terrarium, river
tank, etc.). |
| Describe the how organisms respond to internal and/or environmental stimuli. |
| Identify the components of photosynthesis. |
| Describe the exchange of gases that occurs during photosynthesis. |
Earth and Space
Science:
Structure
of the Earth System
| Describe how different types of soil support different types of plant life. |
| Describe the chemical composition and texture of layers of soil. |
| Describe how different types of soil retain water. |
| Explain how soils are formed from the decomposition of plant and animal life. |
| Identify and discuss the components of weather (temperature, moisture, wind speed and
direction, and precipitation). |
| Explain the effect of variables on weather. |
| Discuss different forms of precipitation: rain, snow, sleet, and hail. |
| Identify global patterns of atmospheric movement and how they affect local weather. |
| Explain the difference between weather and climate. |
| Relate condensation to evaporation and the water cycle. |
Earth's History
| Describe the effects of landslides. |
| Describe the effects of wind erosion. |
| Compare/contrast the effects of erosion on rocks, landforms, and plants. |
Earth
in the Solar System
| Relate revolution to movements of planets around the sun, and moons around planets. |
| Define orbit and compare the orbits of various planets within our solar system. |
Physical Science:
Chemistry
- Properties of Matter
| Describe the properties of objects (size, shape, and weight) to the properties of
materials (color, texture, hardness). |
| Compare the reflective capacity of different colors. |
Physics
– Energy
| Use a spring scale to measure force needed to lift, slide objects. |
| Compare the force needed to lift/slide objects. |
| Describe sound variables such as pitch, volume, tone, and rhythm. |
| Explain the relationship between sound and vibration and discuss how the variable can be
controlled. |
| Identify sources of light. |
| Describe projected light and images. |
| Identify materials that are transparent, translucent, and opaque; differentiate the
characteristics of each type of material. |
| Define, demonstrate, and differentiate between reflection and refraction. |
Technology/Engineering:
Materials
and Tools
| Identify materials used to accomplish a design based on a specific property (weight,
strength, hardness, and flexibility). |
| Identify the parts of a class I lever. |
| Discuss material requirements for common devices including a lever (seesaw and
wheelbarrow). |
| Measure the force needed to lift an object using a lever. |
| Predict the amount of effort needed to move a load with a lever. |
| Investigate the interaction/uses of gears. |
| Identify and explain the differences between simple and complex machines (hand can
opener with multiple gears, wheel, wedge, gear, and lever). |
|
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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. |