Science
Science is taught through an inquiry-based learning model, where students participate in hands-on activities to investigate physical, earth/space, and life science concepts. Fifth graders will study:
Scientific Method
These are the science process skills that are embedded in every scientific investigation. Students will be practicing this inquiry process throughout the year.
Physical Science
In this unit, students will be studying energy and the different terms that we can use to classify that energy. Specifically, students will learn about Newton's laws of motion and that the amount of change in movement of an object is based on the mass of the object and the amount of force exerted. Students will devote quite a bit of time to the study of light and sound; understanding that these are forms of energy that behave in predicable ways.
Earth / Space Science
In this unit, students will study our solar system. They will understand that the solar system includes the sun and all celestial bodies that orbit the sun and that each planet in the solar system has unique characteristics. Our study will cover the sun, that it is one of many stars that exist in the universe. Students will also come to the understanding that the cycles and patterns between the earth and the sun are predictable.
Life Science
In this unit, students will study ecosystems. They will understand that organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem; and that all of the processes that take place within organisms require energy.
How to Help your Child
I recommend that your child check out library books on these topics and investigate related web sites. I also suggest that you encourage your child to continuously ask questions about the world around them. Science is a process skill that is best learned through experimentation and observation. If children have the opportunity to investigate relevant problems and disparities in their everyday world, they will develop a natural interest in science.
- Scientific Method - Process Skills
- Physical Science - Energy and Motion
- Earth / Space Science - Earth, Moon, and Space; Weather and Earth's Surface
- Life Science - Ecosystems
Scientific Method
These are the science process skills that are embedded in every scientific investigation. Students will be practicing this inquiry process throughout the year.
Physical Science
In this unit, students will be studying energy and the different terms that we can use to classify that energy. Specifically, students will learn about Newton's laws of motion and that the amount of change in movement of an object is based on the mass of the object and the amount of force exerted. Students will devote quite a bit of time to the study of light and sound; understanding that these are forms of energy that behave in predicable ways.
Earth / Space Science
In this unit, students will study our solar system. They will understand that the solar system includes the sun and all celestial bodies that orbit the sun and that each planet in the solar system has unique characteristics. Our study will cover the sun, that it is one of many stars that exist in the universe. Students will also come to the understanding that the cycles and patterns between the earth and the sun are predictable.
Life Science
In this unit, students will study ecosystems. They will understand that organisms perform a variety of roles in an ecosystem; and that all of the processes that take place within organisms require energy.
How to Help your Child
I recommend that your child check out library books on these topics and investigate related web sites. I also suggest that you encourage your child to continuously ask questions about the world around them. Science is a process skill that is best learned through experimentation and observation. If children have the opportunity to investigate relevant problems and disparities in their everyday world, they will develop a natural interest in science.
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