MSAD #55
Grade
Three Science Benchmarks
And
Units
10/05
A. Students
will understand that there are similarities within the diversity of all living
things. Students will be able to:
1. Group the same organisms in different ways using different characteristics.
q
Structures
of Life
2. Design and describe a classification system for organisms.
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Structures
of Life
3. Describe the different living things within a given habitat.
q Structures of Life
4. Compare and contrast the life cycles, behavior, and structure of different organisms.
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Structures of Life
B. Students
will understand how living things depend on one another and on non-living
aspects of the environment.
Students will be able to:
1. Describe a food web and the relationships within a given ecosystem.
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Structures
of Life
2. Explain the difference between producers (e.g., green plants), consumers (e.g., those that eat green plants), and decomposers (e.g., bacteria that break down the ÒconsumersÓ when they die, and identify examples of each.
q Structures
of Life
3. Compare
and contrast physical and living components of different biomes- i.e., regions
characterized by their climate and plant life –(e.g., tundra, rain
forest, ocean, desert).
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Structures
of life
4.
Investigate the connection between major living and non-living
components of a local
ecosystem.
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Structures
of life
D. Students
will the basis for all life and that all living things change over time. Students will be able to:
2. Describe how fossils form.
q Earth Science
3.
Explain how adaptations, in response to change over
time, may increase a speciesÕ chances of survival.
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Structures of life
Structure of Matter
E.
Students
will understand the structure of matter and the changes it can undergo. Students will be able to:
1. Describe how the physical properties of objects sometimes change when one object chemically combines with another.
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Earth
Science
2. Explain how matter changes in both chemical and physical ways
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Earth
Science
F. Students
will gain knowledge about the earth and the processes that change it. Students will be able to:
1.
Describe
the change in position of the continents over time.
q
Earth
Science
2.
Demonstrate
and understanding that many things about the earth (e.g.,climate) occur in
cycles that vary in length and frequency.
q
Earth
Science
3.
Describe
the differences among minerals, rocks, and soils.
q
Earth Science
The Universe
G. Students will gain knowledge about the universe and how humans have learned about it, and about the principles upon which it operates. Students will be able to:
1. Illustrate the relative positions of the sun, moon, and planets.
q Universe
2.
Trace
the sources of the earthÕs heat and light energy to the sun.
q
Universe
3.
Describe the earthÕs rotation on its axis and its revolution
around the sun.
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Universe
4.
Explore the relationship between the earth and its moon.
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Universe
J. The student
will apply inquiry and problem-solving approaches in science and
technology. Students will be able
to:
1. Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure.
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Earth Science
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Universe
2. Conduct
scientific investigations: make
observations, collect and analyze data, and do experiments.
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Structures of Life
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Earth Science
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Universe
3. Use
results in a purposeful way: design fair tests, make predictions based on
observed
patterns, and interpret data to make
further predictions.
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Structures of life
5.
Explain how personal bias can affect observations.
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Structures of Life
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Earth Science
Scientific Reasoning
K. Students will
learn to formulate and justify ideas and to make informed decisions Students will be able to:
1.
Give
alternative explanations for observed phenomena
2.
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Structures
of Life
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Earth
Science
2.
Describe how feelings can distort reasoning.
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Earth Science
3. Draw
conclusions about observations.
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Structures of Life
4. Use
various types of evidence (e.g., logical, quantitative) to support a claim.
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Structures of Life
5. Demonstrate
an understanding that ideas are more believable when supported by good reasons.
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Structures of Life
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Universe
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Earth Science
6.
Practice and apply simple logic, intuitive thinking, and
brainstorming.
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Structures of Life
Communication
L. Students
will communicate effectively in the application of science and technology. Students will be able to:
1.
Record
results of experiments or activities (e.g., interviews, discussions, field
work) and summarize and communicate what they learned.
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Structures
of Life
2.
Ask
clarifying and extending questions.
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Earth
Science
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Structures
of Life
3.
Reflect on work in science and technology using such
activities as discussions, journals, and self-assessment.
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Earth Science
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Structures of Life
4.
Make and/or use sketches, tables, graphs, physical
representations, and manipulatives to explain procedures and ideas.
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Structures of Life
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Earth Science
5.
Gather and effectively present information, using a variety
of media including computer (e.g., spreadsheets, word processing, programming,
graphics, modeling)
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Universe
7. Function
effectively in groups within various assigned roles (e.g., reader, recorder).
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Structures of Life
Implications of Science and Technology
M. Students will
understand the historical, social, economical, environmental, and ethical
implications of science and technology.
Students will be able to:
1.
Explore
how cultures have found different technological solutions to deal with similar
needs or problems (e.g., construction, clothing, agricultural tools and
methods).
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Earth
Science
2.
Investigate
and describe the role of scientists and inventors.
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Universe
3.
Explore
how technology (e.g., transportation, irrigation) has altered human settlement.
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Structures
of Life
4.
Explain
practices for conservation in daily life based on a recognition that renewable
and non-renewable resources have limits.
q
Earth
Science