5

toc = Fifth Grade Course Description = The fifth grade science curriculum consists of four main units: Variables, Mixtures and Solutions, Food and Nutrition, and Solar Energy. Students will explore these modules through inquiry, hands-on active learning,using multisensory methods, interaction with other students, discourse (putting ideas and experiences into words), reading and research. The science strands covered by fifth grade are scientific-reasoning and technology, life science, physical science, and earth science. Fifth graders will be using the skills of organizing, comparing, communicating, and observing throughout all the modules.

= Vocabulary =

= Concept Maps =

= Topic List =

Variables
Swingers (pendulums), Life Boats, Plane Sense (FOSS plane), Flippers (catapults)
 * Standard experiment
 * Understanding how systems work together
 * Measurement (mean & median, capacity (volume), length in centimeters)
 * Two coordinate graphs (predictions from best fit line; independent and dependent variable)
 * Pictorial graphs (predictions from best fit line)
 * Relationships between the variables
 * Understanding how to set up controlled experiment
 * Inquiry process (analyzing data)

Mixtures and Solutions

 * Separating Mixtures, Reaching Saturation, Concentration, Fizz Quiz (chemical reactions)
 * Analyze and identify substances by properties
 * Comparing and contrasting mixtures and solutions
 * Identify matter by its properties
 * Chemical reactions (temperature change, precipitate, or gas formation)
 * Saturating solution
 * Separating mixtures (using filters, screens, and funnels and evaporation)
 * Comparing and contrasting concentration levels of solutions
 * Identify unknown material by its solubility

Food and Nutrition

 * Fat Test, Sugar Test, Acid Test, Free Lunch (nutrition)
 * Measurement (area & volume)
 * Identifying indicators
 * Analyzing results
 * Mass vs. Volume (balance & volume tube)
 * Temperature (Thermometers CO)
 * Evaluate food menus for nutritional value
 * Understand the relationship between the six nutrients and a well balanced diet

Solar Energy
Sun Tracking, Heating the Earth, Solar Water Heaters, Solar Houses
 * Shadow relation to sun
 * Relate the differences in temperature change to the properties of the four earth materials (sand, water, dry soil and wet soil)
 * Investigate surface area and solar collectors in relation to temperature
 * Solar water heaters
 * Understand how orientation to the sun affects temperature
 * Heat transfer