4-5 SCIENCE
2015-2016 Science Units
The fourth- and fifth-grade social studies theme of explorers and colonial America naturally lends itself to an in depth study of oceans and marine life. The year’s themes include:
SALTWATER ECOLOGY
THE HUMAN BODY
ELECTRONICS AND ROBOTICS
The children begin the year by studying plants and animals of the Long Island Sound through several field trips to Cove Island Park, where the students become immersed in the various habitats it provides. They work with educators from Sound Waters to collect and identify different types of mollusks, fish, and crustaceans for the classroom saltwater aquarium. The children’s knowledge of marine life allows them to construct food webs and identify the interdependencies of ocean life. Each child becomes an expert on a fish of their choosing and prepares a digital presentation to share with the class. They learn that deep ocean currents are affected by changes in water density, and consider the impact of global warming on the world’s oceans.
As winter settles in, we take our studies indoors and spend time exploring electricity, computers and robotics. The students revisit electric circuits to better understand the inner workings of computers. They learn that electrical signals are sent in a series of “ons” and “offs,” and they are introduced to the binary system. The children used solderless circuit boards, LEDs, resistors, and an Arduino to create circuits. They program their circuits to make their LEDs fade, blink, and change colors. Later in the winter, the children become experts on the organs and systems of the human body. They will create numerous models and conduct several experiments to discover the important functions of the skeletal, muscular, digestive, excretory, circulatory and nervous systems. During these studies, the children will have the opportunity to: Observe carefully and formulate meaningful questions Identify and address complex problems; devise and test solutions Plan and carry out investigations and controlled experiments Collaborate with peers on group projects and experiments Gather, record and analyze data Communicate and defend ideas and research in various forms such as speaking, writing and using digital media Learn through failure and trial and error, as real scientists do 2016-2017 Science Units The fourth- and fifth-grade Native American social studies curriculum gives way for an scientific exploration of our natural environment, local river system and watershed. The year’s science themes include: FRESHWATER ECOLOGY DECIDUOUS FOREST BIOME CHEMISTRY During several inter-disciplinary field trips to various sites along the Mianus River, the children explore different stream and river habitats from slow-running, muddy water to gravel-bed riffles. In addition to these aquatic homes, the students reexamine the temperate forest biome and the interdependency of …show more content…
They learn about the composition of matter at the atomic and molecular levels. They are introduced to the Periodic Table of the Elements. The students build models of molecular compounds and begin to decode chemical formulae. They learn about molecular activity and the states of matter. Through many hands-on activities, the children learn the difference between physical and chemical changes and about chemical reactions. They conduct several tests to identify the physical properties of various substances, including pH and oxidation. They create mixtures and solutions and experiment to separate them. The children work as part of a team to conduct chemical tests to identify several household
2015-2016 Science Units
The fourth- and fifth-grade social studies theme of explorers and colonial America naturally lends itself to an in depth study of oceans and marine life. The year’s themes include:
SALTWATER ECOLOGY
THE HUMAN BODY
ELECTRONICS AND ROBOTICS
The children begin the year by studying plants and animals of the Long Island Sound through several field trips to Cove Island Park, where the students become immersed in the various habitats it provides. They work with educators from Sound Waters to collect and identify different types of mollusks, fish, and crustaceans for the classroom saltwater aquarium. The children’s knowledge of marine life allows them to construct food webs and identify the interdependencies of ocean life. Each child becomes an expert on a fish of their choosing and prepares a digital presentation to share with the class. They learn that deep ocean currents are affected by changes in water density, and consider the impact of global warming on the world’s oceans.
As winter settles in, we take our studies indoors and spend time exploring electricity, computers and robotics. The students revisit electric circuits to better understand the inner workings of computers. They learn that electrical signals are sent in a series of “ons” and “offs,” and they are introduced to the binary system. The children used solderless circuit boards, LEDs, resistors, and an Arduino to create circuits. They program their circuits to make their LEDs fade, blink, and change colors. Later in the winter, the children become experts on the organs and systems of the human body. They will create numerous models and conduct several experiments to discover the important functions of the skeletal, muscular, digestive, excretory, circulatory and nervous systems. During these studies, the children will have the opportunity to: Observe carefully and formulate meaningful questions Identify and address complex problems; devise and test solutions Plan and carry out investigations and controlled experiments Collaborate with peers on group projects and experiments Gather, record and analyze data Communicate and defend ideas and research in various forms such as speaking, writing and using digital media Learn through failure and trial and error, as real scientists do 2016-2017 Science Units The fourth- and fifth-grade Native American social studies curriculum gives way for an scientific exploration of our natural environment, local river system and watershed. The year’s science themes include: FRESHWATER ECOLOGY DECIDUOUS FOREST BIOME CHEMISTRY During several inter-disciplinary field trips to various sites along the Mianus River, the children explore different stream and river habitats from slow-running, muddy water to gravel-bed riffles. In addition to these aquatic homes, the students reexamine the temperate forest biome and the interdependency of …show more content…
They learn about the composition of matter at the atomic and molecular levels. They are introduced to the Periodic Table of the Elements. The students build models of molecular compounds and begin to decode chemical formulae. They learn about molecular activity and the states of matter. Through many hands-on activities, the children learn the difference between physical and chemical changes and about chemical reactions. They conduct several tests to identify the physical properties of various substances, including pH and oxidation. They create mixtures and solutions and experiment to separate them. The children work as part of a team to conduct chemical tests to identify several household