Core Science Curriculum Framework

for the Town of Mansfield

An Invitation for Students and Teachers

to Explore Science and Its Role in Society

Taught in Grade 3

Taught in Grade 4

Taught in Grade 5

Content Standards and Expected Performances

Core Science for Grades 3-5

Grade 5 students listening to a local Optometrist

THE STANDARDS FOR SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY, LITERACY AND NUMERACY ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF THE CONTENT STANDARDS FOR EACH GRADE LEVEL IN THIS CLUSTER.

Grades 3-5 Core Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy How is scientific knowledge created and communicated?
Content Standards	Expected Performances
SCIENTIFIC INQUIRY ¨ Scientific inquiry is a thoughtful and coordinated attempt to search out, describe, explain and predict natural phenomena. SCIENTIFIC LITERACY ¨ Scientific literacy includes speaking, listening, presenting, interpreting, reading and writing about science. SCIENTIFIC NUMERACY ¨ Mathematics provides useful tools for the description, analysis and presentation of scientific data and ideas.	B INQ.1 Make observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment. B INQ.2 Seek relevant information in books, magazines and electronic media. B INQ.3 Design and conduct simple investigations. B INQ.4 Employ simple equipment and measuring tools to gather data and extend the senses. B INQ.5 Use data to construct reasonable explanations. B INQ.6 Analyze, critique and communicate investigations using words, graphs and drawings. B INQ.7 Read and write a variety of science-related fiction and nonfiction texts. B INQ.8 Search the Web and locate relevant science information. B INQ.9 Use measurement tools and standard units (e.g., centimeters, meters, grams, kilograms) to describe objects and materials. B INQ.10 Use mathematics to analyze, interpret and present data.

Grade 3 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances Taught in Grade 3, Taught in Grade 4, Taught in Grade 5
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Properties of Matter – How does the structure of matter affect the properties and uses of materials?(grade 1 and 2) 3.1 - Materials have properties that can be identified and described through the use of simple tests. ¨ Heating and cooling cause changes in some of the properties of materials.	B 1. Sort and classify materials based on properties such as dissolving in water, sinking and floating, conducting heat, and attracting to magnets. (Grade 4 as well) B 2. Describe the effect of heating on the melting, evaporation, condensation and freezing of water.
Heredity and Evolution – What processes are responsible for life’s unity and diversity? 3.2 - Organisms can survive and reproduce only in environments that meet their basic needs. ¨ Plants and animals have structures and behaviors that help them survive in different environments.	B 3. Describe how different plants and animals are adapted to obtain air, water, food and protection in specific land habitats. B 4. Describe how different plants and animals are adapted to obtain air, water, food and protection in water habitats.
The Changing Earth – How do materials cycle through the Earth’s systems? 3.3 - Earth materials have different physical and chemical properties. ¨ Rocks and minerals have properties that may be identified through observation and testing; these properties determine how earth materials are used.	B 5. Describe the physical properties of rocks and relate them to their potential uses. B 6. Relate the properties of rocks to the possible environmental conditions during their formation.
Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives? (Covered as a whole school initiative) 3.4 - Earth materials provide resources for all living things, but these resources are limited and should be conserved. ¨ Decisions made by individuals can impact the global supply of many resources.	B 7. Describe how earth materials can be conserved by reducing the quantities used, and by reusing and recycling materials rather than discarding them.

Grade 4 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances Taught in Grade 3, Taught in Grade 4, Taught in Grade 5
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Forces and Motion – What makes objects move the way they do? (Grade 2) 4.1 - The position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling. ¨ The size of the change in an object’s motion is related to the strength of the push or pull. ¨ The more massive an object is, the less effect a given force will have on its motion. (Grade 2)	B 8. Describe the effects of the strengths of pushes and pulls on the motion of objects. B 9. Describe the effect of the mass of an object on its motion. (Grade 2)
Matter and Energy in Ecosystems – How do matter and energy flow through ecosystems? 4.2 - All organisms depend on the living and non-living features of the environment for survival. ¨ When the environment changes, some organisms survive and reproduce, and others die or move to new locations.	B 10. Describe how animals, directly or indirectly, depend on plants to provide the food and energy they need in order to grow and survive. B 11. Describe how natural phenomena and some human activities may cause changes to habitats and their inhabitants.
Energy in the Earth’s Systems – How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems? 4.3 - Water has a major role in shaping the Earth’s surface. ¨ Water circulates through the Earth’s crust, oceans and atmosphere.	B 12. Describe how the sun’s energy impacts the water cycle. (Introduced Grade 2) B 13. Describe the role of water in erosion and river formation.
Energy Transfer and Transformations – What is the role of energy in our world? 4.4 - Electrical and magnetic energy can be transferred and transformed. ¨ Electricity in circuits can be transformed into light, heat, sound and magnetic effects. ¨ Magnets can make objects move without direct contact between the object and the magnet.	B 14. Describe how batteries and wires can transfer energy to light a light bulb. B 15. Explain how simple electrical circuits can be used to determine which materials conduct electricity. B 16. Describe the properties of magnets, and how they can be used to identify and separate mixtures of solid materials.

Grade 5 Core Themes, Content Standards and Expected Performances Taught in Grade 3, Taught in Grade 4, Taught in Grade 5
Content Standards	Expected Performances
Energy Transfer and Transformations – What is the role of energy in our world? 5.1 - Sound and light are forms of energy. ¨ Sound is a form of energy that is produced by the vibration of objects and is transmitted by the vibration of air and objects. ¨ Light is a form of energy that travels in a straight line and can be reflected by a mirror, refracted by a lens, or absorbed by objects.	B 17. Describe the factors that affect the pitch and loudness of sound produced by vibrating objects. B 18. Describe how sound is transmitted, reflected and/or absorbed by different materials. B 19. Describe how light is absorbed and/or reflected by different surfaces.
Structure and Function – How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency and survival? 5.2 - Perceiving and responding to information about the environment is critical to the survival of organisms. ¨ The sense organs perceive stimuli from the environment and send signals to the brain through the nervous system.	B 20. Describe how light absorption and reflection allow one to see the shapes and colors of objects. B 21. Describe the structure and function of the human senses and the signals they perceive.
Earth in the Solar System – How does the position of Earth in the solar system affect conditions on our planet? 5.3 - Most objects in the solar system are in a regular and predictable motion. ¨ The positions of the Earth and moon relative to the sun explain the cycles of day and night, and the monthly moon phases.	B 22. Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis. B 23. Describe the monthly changes in the appearance of the moon, based on the moon’s orbit around the Earth.
Science and Technology in Society – How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives? 5.4 - Humans have the capacity to build and use tools to advance the quality of their lives. ¨ Advances in technology allow individuals to acquire new information about the world.	B 24. Compare and contrast the structures of the human eye with those of the camera. B 25. Describe the uses of different instruments, such as eyeglasses, magnifiers, periscopes and telescopes, to enhance our vision.