Course Content
A. Materials
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A.01. Observe and describe the basic properties of different objects (e.g., size, shape, color, texture).
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A.02. Compare and contrast the physical properties of various materials (e.g., wood, metal, plastic, glass).
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A.03. Identify and classify materials based on their common properties.
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A.04. Investigate how different materials respond to external factors like heat, water, or pressure.
B. States of Matter
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B.01. Distinguish between solids, liquids, and gases based on their observable properties.
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B.02. Sort and classify different materials into solid, liquid, or gas states.
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B.03. Illustrate changes of state using diagrams (solid, liquid, gas, melting, freezing, evaporation, condensation).
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B.04. Describe the effects of heating and cooling on the state of matter.
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B.05. Explain the processes of melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation at a molecular level.
C. Heat and Thermal Energy
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C.01. Define heat and thermal energy and how they are related to temperature.
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C.02. Predict the direction of heat flow between objects of different temperatures.
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C.03. Predict how different materials will change in temperature when heated or cooled.
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C.04. Investigate how heat is transferred through conduction, convection, and radiation.
D. Force and Motion
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D.01. Define force and motion, and how they are related.
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D.02. Identify different types of forces (e.g., gravity, friction, push, pull).
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D.03. Identify and represent the direction of forces acting on an object using arrows.
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D.04. Explain how balanced and unbalanced forces affect the motion of an object.
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D.05. Describe how the mass of an object affects its motion when a force is applied.
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D.06. Conduct experiments to demonstrate Newton’s First Law of Motion (inertia).
E. Magnets
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E.01. Define magnetism and its relationship with magnetic fields.
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E.02. Identify which materials are attracted to magnets and which are not.
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E.03. Label the poles of magnets and demonstrate how like poles repel and opposite poles attract.
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E.04. Compare the strengths of magnetic forces using different magnets and distances.
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E.05. Design and conduct experiments to investigate the factors affecting magnetic force.
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E.06. Investigate the practical applications of magnets in everyday life.
F. Light
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F.01. Explain how we see objects by describing how light interacts with them.
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F.02. Describe how light travels in a straight line and how it interacts with different types of matter (e.g., reflection, absorption, transmission).
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F.03. Conduct experiments to demonstrate the reflection and refraction of light.
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F.04. Explain how lenses focus light to create images.
G. Sound
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G.01. Explain how sound is created by vibrations and travels through a medium.
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G.02. Identify different sources of sound and describe their properties (e.g., pitch, loudness).
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G.03. Investigate how sound travels through different materials.
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G.04. Design and conduct experiments to explore the relationship between vibration and sound.
H. Classification
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H.01. Distinguish between living and non-living things based on their characteristics.
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H.02. Identify and classify common animals into groups like mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
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H.03. Distinguish between vertebrates and invertebrates based on their physical characteristics.
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H.04. Use evidence and observations to classify animals into their appropriate groups.
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H.05. Describe, classify, and compare the major kingdoms of living things (e.g., plants, animals, fungi, protists, bacteria).
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H.06. Construct a dichotomous key to classify a set of unknown organisms.
I. Animals
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I.01. Read and interpret animal life cycle diagrams for various animals.
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I.02. Compare and contrast the life cycles of different animals (e.g., butterfly, frog, mammal).
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I.03. Construct animal life cycle diagrams from observations and research.
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I.04. Explore the adaptations of animals to their environments throughout their life cycles.
J. Plants
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J.01. Identify and describe the functions of different plant parts (e.g., roots, stems, leaves).
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J.02. Identify and describe the functions of different flower parts (e.g., petals, sepals, stamen, pistil).
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J.03. Describe and construct flowering plant life cycle diagrams.
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J.04. Describe and construct conifer life cycle diagrams.
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J.05. Compare and contrast the life cycles of flowering plants and conifers.
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J.06. Conduct an experiment to investigate the factors affecting plant growth.
K. Traits and Heredity
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K.01. Define inherited and acquired traits, and how they relate to genetics.
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K.02. Use observations to form hypotheses about how different factors affect traits.
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K.03. Match offspring to parents based on inherited traits.
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K.04. Explain how genetic information is passed down from parents to offspring.
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K.05. Investigate how environmental factors can influence the expression of traits.
L. Ecosystems
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L.01. Define the term ecosystem and describe its components (biotic and abiotic factors).
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L.02. Identify different types of ecosystems (e.g., forest, grassland, aquatic).
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L.03. Describe the interactions between organisms within an ecosystem.
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L.04. Identify different roles in food chains (e.g., producers, consumers, decomposers).
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L.05. Explain how matter and energy move through food chains and food webs.
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L.06. Analyze the impact of human activities on ecosystems and food webs.
M. Conservation
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M.01. Define conservation and its importance in preserving biodiversity.
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M.02. Investigate local and global conservation issues.
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M.03. Apply scientific literacy to understand how a community can protect endangered species.
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M.04. Propose and evaluate potential solutions to environmental problems.
N. Rocks and Minerals
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N.01. Describe how erosion changes Earth’s surface.
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N.02. Identify minerals using their observable properties (e.g., color, streak, hardness, luster).
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N.03. Identify rocks using their properties and composition.
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N.04. Explain how sedimentary rocks form through the processes of weathering, erosion, deposition, and cementation.
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N.05. Describe the rock cycle and the processes that transform rocks from one type to another.
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N.06. Conduct an experiment to simulate the formation of sedimentary rocks.
O. Fossils
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O.01. Define what a fossil is and explain how fossils are formed.
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O.02. Identify and classify different types of fossils (e.g., trace fossils, body fossils).
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O.03. Interpret evidence from fossils found in rock layers to understand past environments and organisms.
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O.04. Describe the role of fossils in understanding the history of life on Earth.
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O.05. Discuss the limitations of the fossil record in reconstructing the past.
P. Weather and Climate
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P.02. Compare temperatures on different thermometers using different scales (Celsius, Fahrenheit).
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P.03. Collect and graph temperature data over time.
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P.04. Explain the difference between weather and climate.
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P.05. Describe the different weather patterns and climate zones around the world.
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P.06. Use text to cite evidence about weather and climate.
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P.07. Use climate data to make predictions about future weather patterns.
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P.08. Use data to describe the characteristics of different climates.
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P.09. Label the parts of a water cycle diagram and explain the processes involved.
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P.10. Analyze the factors that influence weather and climate, such as latitude, altitude, and ocean currents.
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P.01. Read and interpret a thermometer to measure temperature.
Q. Astronomy
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Q.01. Explain how shadows are formed and how they change with the position of the Sun.
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Q.02. Describe Earth’s rotation and orbit and their effects on our daily and yearly cycles.
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Q.03. Explain the causes of day and night.
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Q.04. Compare the brightness of the Sun and other stars.
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Q.05. Identify constellations and describe how the night sky changes throughout the year.
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Q.06. Identify the phases of the Moon and explain their causes.
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Q.07. Identify common constellations in the night sky.
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Q.08. Use models to explain the relative positions and movements of the Earth, Sun, and Moon.
R. Engineering Practices
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R.01. Define the engineering design process and its steps.
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R.02. Evaluate multiple design solutions to prevent flooding.
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R.03. Design and test a solution to a problem using magnets.
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R.04. Apply scientific principles to design and build a simple machine.
S. Units and Measurement
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S.01. Choose the appropriate units of distance for measuring different objects and distances.
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S.02. Choose the appropriate units of mass for measuring different objects.
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S.03. Choose the appropriate units of volume for measuring different liquids and containers.
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S.04. Convert between different units of measurement within the same system (e.g., meters to centimeters, kilograms to grams).
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S.05. Use appropriate tools and techniques for accurate measurement.
