Course Content
A. Materials
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A.01. Compare and contrast the physical properties of different objects (e.g., color, texture, hardness).
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A.02. Categorize materials based on their observable properties.
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A.03. Explain how the properties of a material determine its suitability for a specific purpose.
B. Lab Tools and Equipment
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B.01. Recognize and name common laboratory tools (e.g., beakers, graduated cylinders, microscopes).
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B.02. Identify the primary function of each laboratory tool.
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B.03. Demonstrate the correct and safe usage of common laboratory tools.
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B.04. Select the appropriate tools and equipment for a given scientific investigation.
C. Units and Measurement
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C.01. Recognize and use appropriate units of measurement for distance, mass, volume, and temperature.
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C.02. Abbreviate common units of mass, volume, and temperature (e.g., g, kg, mL, L, °C, °F).
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C.03. Choose the most suitable unit for measuring different objects and quantities.
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C.04. Convert between different units of measurement within the same system (e.g., meters to centimeters).
D. Electricity
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D.01. Identify the basic components of an electric circuit (e.g., battery, wires, bulb).
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D.02. Describe the function of each component in a simple circuit.
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D.03. Construct a simple electric circuit and observe its function.
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D.04. Diagram simple circuits using conventional symbols.
E. Magnets
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E.01. Identify materials that are attracted to magnets.
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E.02. Predict whether magnets will attract or repel each other based on their poles.
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E.03. Label the poles of a magnet (north and south).
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E.04. Compare the strength of magnetic forces using qualitative observations.
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E.05. Investigate the effect of distance on the strength of magnetic forces.
F. States of Matter
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F.01. Identify the three common states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases.
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F.02. Sort different substances into solids, liquids, and gases based on their observable properties.
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F.03. Describe the processes of melting, freezing, evaporation, and condensation.
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F.04. Illustrate changes of state using diagrams, including melting, freezing, evaporating, and condensing.
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F.05. Explain the process of sublimation and provide examples.
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F.06. Describe the relationship between heating/cooling and changes of state.
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F.07. Understand and explain the concept of plasma as a fourth state of matter.
G. Mixtures
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G.01. Define the term “mixture” and provide examples of common mixtures.
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G.02. Identify different types of mixtures (e.g., solutions, suspensions).
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G.03. Describe methods for separating mixtures (e.g., filtration, evaporation).
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G.04. Design and conduct an experiment to separate a mixture into its components.
H. Force and Motion
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H.01. Identify different types of forces (e.g., gravity, friction, applied force).
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H.02. Represent the direction of forces using arrows in diagrams.
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H.03. Explain how balanced forces result in no change in motion.
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H.04. Predict the effect of unbalanced forces on the motion of an object.
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H.05. Analyze real-world scenarios involving forces and motion.
I. Energy Transformation
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I.01. Define energy transformation.
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I.02. Identify different forms of energy (e.g., light, heat, mechanical, electrical).
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I.03. Provide examples of how energy can be transformed from one form to another (e.g., solar to electrical).
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I.04. Trace energy transformations in everyday devices and processes.
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I.05. Discuss the role of energy transformation in maintaining life processes.
J. Light
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J.01. Describe how light enables us to see objects.
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J.02. Explain that light travels in straight lines.
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J.03. Investigate how light interacts with different types of matter (e.g., reflection, refraction, absorption).
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J.04. Diagram how light travels from a source to the eye, enabling vision.
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J.05. Explain how lenses and prisms affect the path of light.
K. Designing Experiments
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K.01. Identify the experimental question being addressed in an experiment.
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K.02. Formulate a testable hypothesis based on an experimental question.
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K.03. Identify the independent and dependent variables in an experiment.
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K.04. Identify the control group and experimental group(s) in an experiment.
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K.05. Determine whether a question can be investigated using a given set of materials.
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K.06. Design a controlled experiment to test a specific hypothesis.
L. Classification
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L.01. Identify the five major groups of vertebrates: mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
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L.02. Distinguish between vertebrates and invertebrates.
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L.03. Use observable evidence to classify animals into major groups.
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L.04. Explain the characteristics that define each major group of vertebrates.
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L.05. Construct a dichotomous key for classifying different animals.
M. Plants
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M.01. Identify the main parts of a plant: roots, stem, leaves, and flowers.
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M.02. Describe the primary function of each plant part.
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M.03. Identify the different parts of a flower (e.g., petals, sepals, stamen, pistil).
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M.04. Classify fruits and vegetables based on which plant part they represent (e.g., root, stem, leaf).
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M.05. Explain the process of photosynthesis and its importance to plants and the ecosystem.
N. Adaptations
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N.01. Define adaptation and explain its importance for survival.
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N.02. Provide examples of animal adaptations related to beaks, mouths, and necks.
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N.03. Provide examples of animal adaptations related to feet and limbs.
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N.04. Provide examples of animal adaptations related to skins and body coverings.
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N.05. Explain how specific adaptations help animals survive in their environments.
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N.06. Research and present on different types of adaptations (structural, behavioral, physiological).
O. Traits and Heredity
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O.01. Distinguish between inherited and acquired traits.
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O.02. Identify traits that are passed down from parents to offspring.
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O.03. Match offspring to parents based on inherited traits.
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O.04. Use observations to support a hypothesis about factors affecting traits.
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O.05. Explain how environment and genetics interact to influence traits.
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O.06. Analyze data to draw conclusions about inherited and acquired traits.
P. Ecosystems
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P.01. Define the term “ecosystem.”
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P.02. Identify different types of ecosystems (e.g., forest, desert, aquatic).
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P.03. Describe the biotic and abiotic components of an ecosystem.
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P.04. Explain the relationships between organisms within an ecosystem (e.g., food chains, food webs).
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P.05. Analyze the impact of environmental changes on an ecosystem.
Q. Conservation
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Q.01. Define conservation and explain its importance.
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Q.02. Identify ways that humans can impact ecosystems, both positively and negatively.
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Q.03. Apply scientific literacy to analyze real-world conservation efforts.
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Q.04. Research and present on local conservation projects.
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Q.05. Evaluate the effectiveness of different conservation strategies.
R. Earth’s Features
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R.01. Identify common land features using photographs (e.g., mountains, valleys, plains).
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R.02. Identify common land features using satellite images.
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R.03. Explain the processes that form different land features (e.g., erosion, tectonic activity).
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R.04. Compare and contrast different types of landforms.
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R.05. Create a model demonstrating the formation of a specific land feature.
S. Earth Events
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S.02. Describe how volcanic eruptions can change Earth’s surface.
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S.03. Explain how erosion changes Earth’s surface over time.
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S.04. Compare and contrast the effects of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and erosion.
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S.05. Analyze data related to earthquakes, volcanoes, and erosion to draw conclusions about their impact on the Earth’s surface.
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S.01. Describe how earthquakes can change Earth’s surface.
T. Astronomy
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T.01. Observe and describe how shadows change throughout the day.
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T.02. Explain how Earth’s rotation causes day and night.
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T.03. Describe Earth’s orbit around the sun.
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T.04. Compare the brightness of the Sun and other stars.
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T.05. Identify common constellations in the night sky.
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T.06. Explain how the night sky changes throughout the year.
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T.07. Identify the planets in the solar system in order from the sun.
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T.08. Describe the characteristics of each planet in the solar system.
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T.09. Understand the relationship between constellations and mythology.
U. Engineering Practices
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U.01. Define the engineering design process.
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U.02. Identify problems that can be solved through engineering.
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U.03. Brainstorm multiple design solutions to a given problem.
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U.04. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different design solutions.
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U.05. Apply engineering principles to design a solution to a real-world problem (e.g., flood prevention).
