Curriculum - Upper Elementary Science

Zoology

1.00 Five Kingdoms of Living Things: Monera, Protista, Fungi, Plant, Animal1.10 Review of description by size, appearance, characteristics
1.20 Comparison and contrast across kingdoms and over time1.20.1 Cell organization, mode of nutrition, movement, number of cells
1.20.2 Review of life cycle per living thing
1.20.3 Discuss issues of extinction1.30 Zoological classification through Chinese Box2.00 Cell2.10 Characteristics of life: nutrition, respiration, absorption, excretion
2.20 Comparison of plant and animal cells
2.30 Cell structure and function: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membrane, ribosome, Golgi apparatus, chromatin, lysosomes, mitochondria, vacuole, chloroplasts, centriole, cytoskeleton, microtubule3.00 Vital Functions of Animals 3.10 Classification and differentiation of chordate and non-chordate animals
3.20 Identification, comparison, and differentiation for vital functions of animals3.20.1 Nutrition
3.20.2 Respiration
3.20.3 Circulation
3.20.4 Skeleton
3.20.5 Nervous
3.20.6 Reproduction3.30 Dissection to reinforce appropriate vital functions for amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal 4.00 Systems of the Human Body4.10 Comparison of human body to Great River, government
4.20 Identification, structure, components, purpose, and function of human systems4.20.1 Musculoskeletal
4.20.2 Nervous
4.20.3 Circulatory
4.20.4 Respiratory
4.20.5 Digestive and excretory
4.20.6 Endocrine
4.20.7 Reproductive
4.20.8 Immune/Defense

Botany

1.00 Plant Classification1.10 Tradition vs vascular and non-vascular
1.20 Differentiation by biomes2.00 Plant Life2.10 Life cycles
2.20 Review of parts of plant
2.30 Respiration, nutrition, circulation, reproduction
2.40 Conservation of species
2.50 Protective functions
3.00 Ecological and environmental concerns3.10 Water conservation3.10.1 Grey water
3.10.2 Cisterns 3.20 Energy conservation3.20.1 Solar energy
3.20.2 Geothermal energy
3.20.3 Hydroelectric energy
3.20.4 Wind
3.20.5 Fuel cells
3.20.6 Biomass 3.30 Waste conservation3.30.1 Recycling
3.30.2 Composting
3.30.3 Biodegradation

Earth Science

1.00 Astronomy1.10 Review of Universe, whole to part
1.20 Review of solar system: planet order, characteristics
1.30 Introduction to stars1.30.1 Constellations
1.30.2 Mythology: Greek and Roman2.00 Planet Earth2.10 Timeline of life2.10.1 Creation and types of fossils
2.10.2 Classification of rocks and minerals: sedimentary, ignateous, metamorphic 2.20 Origin of earth2.20.1 Theories
2.20.2 Plate tectonics
2.20.3 Pangea 2.30 Advanced definition, identification, formation of landforms2.30.1 Stresses to landforms: erosion, water, wind, earthquakes, man
2.30.2 Comparison of continents2.30.2a Biomes: Grasslands, tundra, desert, rainforest
2.30.2b Other comparisons (geography) 2.40 Advanced definition, identification, formation of water forms2.40.1 Stresses to water forms: erosion, pollution, land development
2.40.2 Review of oceans and major seas 2.40.2a Ocean life 2.50 Atmospheric layers
2.60 Mapping skills2.60.1 Topography
2.60.2 Cartography
2.60.3 Global positioning3.00 Seasons: astronomical relationships 3.10 Phases of the moon4.00 Weather and Meteorology 4.10 Measurements and instruments4.10.1 Temperature, humidity
4.10.2 Barometer, aerometer, thermometer, hydrometer 4.20 Elements and how each affect weather4.20.1 Air, wind, heat, precipitation 4.30 Classification and identification of major cloud formations
4.40 Types, causes, and safety measures for weather conditions4.40.1 Thunderstorms
4.40.2 Hurricanes
4.40.3 Tornadoes 4.50 Description of water cycle4.50.1 Water conservation

Chemistry

1.00 Three States of Matter1.10 Definition and identification of solid ,liquid, gas
1.20 Forces and how they act on matter: gravity, inertia
1.30 Vocabulary of and experiments for chemical and physical changes in matter1.30.1 Properties and changes are observed by sight, hearing, smell, tasting, or touching 1.40 Creation of solutions
1.50 Effect of heat on matter2.00 Definition and experiments for acid and base 2.10 Testing of liquids
2.20 Testing of soil3.00 Periodic Table of Elements 3.10 Presentation of chart
3.20 Location and identification of simple elements: e.g. hydrogen, oxygen, gold 4.00 Atomic Structure4.10 Vocabulary and identification of molecules and atoms 4.10.1 Protons, electrons, neutrons
4.10.2 Atomic diagram
4.10.3 Understands diffusion and molecular motion

Physics

1.00 Electricity1.10 Where electricity is used
1.20 Observation of whole to part: lamp to bulb to filament
1.30 Existence of circuit for electricity to flow
1.40 Definition, observation and creation: conductors, circuits, electron and flow, static electricity, electrical charges and generators2.00 Observation of and experiments for magnets 2.10 Magnetic north
2.20 Magnetic field and force
2.30 Relationship of magnetism and electricity 3.00 Theory and purpose of gravity3.10 Center of gravity
3.20 How size, weight, size, and mass affect gravity
3.30 Falling objects 4.00 Definition and experiments for buoyancy and what changes it
5.00 Balance 5.10 Scientific scale, gram scale
5.20 Making predictions and estimations
5.30 Balancing point and center of gravity 6.00 Definition of and manipulation of seven simple machines
7.00 Flight 7.10 Principles and forces acting upon flight
7.20Air foil, lift, wind
7.30 Effect of air speed, air pressure 8.00 Types and identification of light: spectrum, ultraviolet, transparent, and opaque 8.10 How light moves/travels
8.20 Effect and use of light filters
8.30 Mirror effect9.00 Sound 9.10 Propagation of wave: speed (frequency), pitch (amplitude)
9.20 Experiments with sound through different states of matter
9.30 How sound can be affected or changed 10.00 Heat 10.10 Conduction of heat energy
10.20 How gas pressure affects heat
10.30 Energy changes11.00 Motion 11.10 Causes of movement
11.20 Mass and kinetic energy
11.30 Influences on motion: weight, texture, inertia, friction
11.40 Newton’s Law of Action & Reaction
11.50 Movement of air

Scientific Process and Principles

1.00 Observation1.10 The child’s ability to recognize whole/part relationships is reinforced and heightened
1.20 Skills occur through prepared classroom environment
1.30 Skills occur in natural environment: nature walks, field trips
1.40 Skills involve all senses: seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching 2.00 Classification2.10 Grouping ideas, concepts, options, etc.
2.20 Research process presented conceptually as ideas are grouped and synthesized 3.00 Measurement and Quantification3.10 Identify, calibrate, and utilize scientific instruments for data collection
3.20 Analyze data for reliability
3.30 Quantify experimental 4.00 Inference and Prediction4.10 Identify possible outcomes
4.20 Identify probable outcomes, with educated prediction
4.30 Infer future outcomes, possible sequelae
4.40 Utilize deductive and inductive reasoning 5.00 Experimentation 5.10 Self-directed trials through prepared classroom environment
5.20 Group trials on random environmental topics
5.30 Annual participation in science fair project
5.40 Hypothesis generation
5.50 Create research process to prove or disprove hypothesis
5.60 Complete research/experiment protocol/procedures 6.00 Questioning, Evaluation, and Presentation 6.10 Analyze results/data for compatibility with premise
6.20 Evaluate entire research process for reliability, errors in judgment, etc.
6.30 Individual interests observed, experimented, or researched are encouraged for oral
presentation during weekly share time
6.40 Oral and written presentation for science fair project (see Research and Writing Curricula)

* CHEMISTRY and PHYSICS are two areas that readily lend themselves to the Experimental Process.
Students are encouraged to consider/test any idea they identify throughout the entire curriculum.