Science

Unit 1: Cause and Effect: Survival, Organisms, and Environment

     This life science unit of study helps students learn about habitats and adaptations of both plants and animals.  

     One organizing concept is the Flow of Energy and Matter. The focus is how environments differ from one another and how living things depend on their habitats. This is a foundation for learning about ecosystems in older grades.

     The second organizing concept is Structure and Function of Living Things and the learning focuses on how structures and behaviors of specific plants and animals help them survive in particular habitats.

 

Unit 2: Cause and Effect: Weather

Students will understand that...

• There are seasonal patterns to the weather

• Living organisms and their environments are influenced by weather and the changing seasons

• Severe weather impacts organisms and environments in a variety of ways

Students will know...

• Tools that measure weather (i.e. thermometer, anemometer, rain gauge, etc.)

• Weather and seasonal patterns

• Weather influences on organisms and environments

• Key Content Vocabulary: weather, seasons, organisms, environment

• Key Process Vocabulary: weather tools, observe, describe, question, predict, collect, measure, record and communicate data

Students will be able to...

• Observe and describe weather patterns based on seasonal data

• Ask testable questions about weather, severe weather, and the changing seasons

• Collect and record weather data using appropriate tools and units of measurement

• Describe the influence of severe weather on organisms and their environments