Science Curriculum

Northern Illinois District

Grade 3

 

XI.  The Nature and Practice of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and solve problems.

 

Learning Standard  A:  Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of scientific inquiry.

 

Observation and description

 

Objective 1:  Describe an observed event such as animal and plant growth

Objective 2:  Recognize the difference between an observation and an inference

 

Problem identification

 

Objective 3:  Develop questions that can be explored by using the inquiry based method

Objective 4:  Develop questions for further study based on experimental labs

 

Repeated measurement and data collection

 

Objective 5:  Investigate scientific principles through the use of measuring instruments and computers

Objective 6:  Organize data to construct charts and visualizations using available technology and resources

 

Hypothesis and conclusion

 

Objective 7:  Predict results based on observations and prior knowledge

Objective 8:  Evaluate data

Objective 9:  Summarize and communicate the results of investigations

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of technological design.

 

Experimental design and execution

 

Objective 1:  Explore the steps needed to conduct experiments and identify them using correct scientific terminology such as question, hypothesis, test, observation, and conclusion

Objective 2:  Develop a plan that will be useful in solving a problem

Objective 3:  Build or test a model or plan using available tools and instruments

 

Tools of science

 

Objective 4:  Identify and use tools to measure and gather data (e.g., thermometer, scale, weights, magnifying glass, microscope, and string) 

Objective 5:  Use appropriate technology to generate reports

 

 

 

 

 

XII.  The Fields of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and interconnections of the life, physical, and earth/ space sciences.

 

 

Life Sciences

 

Learning Standard A:  Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt, and change.

 

Categorizing plants and animals

 

Objective 1:  Classify, compare, and contrast characteristics of animals as related to their habitat

Objective 2:  Classify, compare, and contrast characteristics of plants

 

Needs of plants and animals

 

Objective 3:  Develop a list of needs for common household pets and plants

Objective 4:  Explore the needs of plants through the use of controls and variables

 

Structures and their function in living system

 

Objective 5:  Label parts of a plant including roots, stems, and leaves

Objective 6:  Identify and describe the function of plant parts as related to growth, survival, photosynthesis, and reproduction such as bark, roots, leaves, and flowers

 

Life cycles and genetics

 

Objective 7:  Record observations, identify stages, and describe the simple life cycles of animals and plants

 

Cell biology

 

Objective 8:  Examine animal cells and plant cells under the microscope (frog blood, onion cells, elodea) 

Objective 9:  Compare and contrast plant and animal cells

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

 

Environment and adaptations for survival

 

Objective 1:  Distinguish between predator and prey giving examples of each

Objective 2:  Describe a parasite and host relationship

Objective 3:  Construct a simple food web or food chain

Objective 4:  Describe decomposition as it relates to the food web

Objective 5:  Identify physical features of plants and animals that help them live in different environments such as specialized teeth for eating certain foods, thorns for protection, camouflage, and insulation for cold temperatures

 

 

Physical Sciences

 

Learning Standard C:  Know and apply concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them.

 

Matter

 

Objective 1:  Describe and explain the properties of solids, liquids, and gases as they relate to water

Objective 2:  Classify common materials such as vinegar, helium, oxygen, and paper

as solids, liquids, or gases

Objective 3:  Define mass, matter, and atom

Objective 4:  Identify that there are different kinds of matter because atoms join together in different ways

Objective 5:  Explore what happens when substances melt, evaporate, and condense

 

Reactions

 

Objective 6:  Explore and describe what happens when substances burn and dissolve 

Objective 7:  Explore how substances can change when chemically combined together

 

Energy and heat (thermal energy)

 

Objective 8:  List various forms of energy (e.g., light, heat, sound, solar, chemical, thermal, electrical, radiant)

Objective 9:  Identify forms of energy when given examples

Objective 10:  Learn about ways that energy changes from one form to another (e.g., electrical to light, light to heat)

Objective 11:  Describe and demonstrate the differences between potential and kinetic energy

 

 

Learning Standard D:  Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.

 

Force and motion

 

Objective 1:  Identify observable forces in nature (e.g., pushes, pulls, gravity, magnetism)

Objective 2:  Demonstrate and explain ways that forces cause actions and reactions (e.g., gravity, magnets attracting and repelling, and objects falling, rolling and bouncing)

 

 

Earth Sciences

 

Learning Standard E:  Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the Earth and its resources.

 

Weather

 

Objective 1:  Make a visual representation of the water cycle

Objective 2:  Identify common occurrences such as fog on a window, dew, and dried up play dough as examples of condensation or evaporation

Objective 3:  Identify types of precipitation including rain, hail, sleet, and snow

Objective 4:  Identify, describe, and chart patterns of weather and seasonal change

Objective 5:  Identify types of clouds including cumulus, stratus, and cirrus

 

Conservation of materials

 

Objective 6:  Identify and classify recyclable materials

 

 

Space Sciences

 

Learning Standard F:  Know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and Earth’s place in it.

 

The solar system

 

Objective 1:  List the planets in order

Objective 2:  Model the solar system and planet positions

Objective 3:  Compare and contrast different bodies in space (e.g., planets, asteroids, comets, and stars)

Objective 4:  Compare and contrast rotation and revolution 

 

 

 

 

 

XIII.  The History and Application of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand the relationships among science, technology, and society in historical and contemporary contexts.

 

Learning Standard A:  Know and apply the accepted practices of science.

 

Safety practices

 

Objective 1:  Know and apply basic safety practices when using the equipment

 

Validity and reliability

 

Objective 2:  Explain variables in investigations that would produce different results

Objective 3:  Explain and demonstrate why keeping accurate records is important

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology, and society.

 

Technology and society

 

Objective 1:  Identify and describe ways that science and technology affect people’s everyday lives (e.g., transportation, medicine, agriculture, and communication)

 

Environmental social issues

 

Objective 2:  Explore how technology affects society’s ability to reduce, reuse, and recycle