Science Curriculum

GradeS 5-6

 

1. Scientific method

~ How do scientists measure things and basic measuring units?

~ What is a scientific method and steps to solve a problem?

~ How are experiments done safely. Safety alert symbols and common safety rules. A documentary movie about lab safety.

~ Categorize and distinguish physical characteristics of living things and non-living things.

~ Recognize the different stages of life cycles (documentary movie).

 

2. How living things interact with each other and with their environment

~ Compare the characteristics of organisms and describe how they possess physical characteristics that allow them to be successful in their environments

~ Compare and describe how organisms interrelate with each other and their environment

~ Classification of living organisms and non-living matter (documentary movie)

 

3. Properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them. States of matter.

~ Classify sources of energy as man-made or natural. Is it matter or energy .

~ Identify and classify matter by similarities and differences of physical properties (doc movie, experiments).

~ Phases or states of matter. What are solids, liquids and gases? How does matter change from one state to another .

 

4. Atoms and elements.

~ What is an atom

~ What are the parts of an atom (electron, neutron and protons)

~ How are electrons arranged in an atom and what is the difference between atomic mass and atomic number

~ What are elements.

~ What is the periodic table and how to use it.

~ What are the properties of metals and non-metals and their places in periodic table .

~ A discussion about how do you see atoms .

~ Isotopes. The same element may have different atomic mass.

 

5. Compounds

~ What are compounds?

~ What is a chemical formula and basic rules to write chemical formulas.

~ How do elements form compounds? Chemical bonding and introduction of octet rule in covalent binding.

~ A discussion about how do scientist know what elements make up compounds.

~ Examining molecular structures by using atomic ball models.

~ What are isomers? Importance of the order of atoms in a molecular arrangements.

~ What is the difference between a physical change and a chemical change. Experiment and demonstration.

~ A documentary movie about scientific progress in fighting diseases and how scientists developed and tested new drugs.

~ Chemical principles of basic life processes (simple structure of DNA, lipids, fats, and basic physicochemical principles of biological processes, photosynthesis).

 

6. Mixtures and solutions

~ How is mixture different from a compound. A class demonstration how can mixtures can be separated but not compounds.

~ Types of mixtures (homogenous, heterogeneous solutions, and suspensions).

~ How can the parts of a suspension be separated. Demonstration.

~ What is solution and properties of solutions .

~ How can the strength of a solution can be changed (dilution and concentrating demonstration).

~ The effect of solutes in freezing and boiling point of liquids (effect of salt concentration on freezing and boiling point of water demonstration).

~ How can the parts of solutions be separated.

 

7. Acids and Bases

~ What are acids and bases and introduction of pH concept.

~ What happens when acids and bases are mixed and methods monitoring the pH of a solution by indicators.

~ Discussion and demonstration of some common materials' pH values (experiment).

 

8. Chemical reactions.

~ Introduction of oxidation numbers, polyatomic ions, molecular mass (how to calculate gram formula weights).

~ What is a chemical equation and symbols used in expressing a chemical reaction.

~ What is synthesis and analysis.

~ Examples from biochemical reactions (forming sugars, lipids, structure of cell membrane).

~ Documentary movies about pharmacy and biological compounds.

 

9. The concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.

~ Describe a logical sequence of steps to answer questions.

~ Organize and display data, using various kinds of graphs and charts.

~ Use a computer or other technology to produce simple graphs and charts.

~ Use data from multiple observations of the same event to explain an effect or result.

~ Use data from multiple sources to explain and support a conclusion.

~ Use graphs or charts to report the results of small groups observations of the same event.

~ Use a variety of a approaches such as graphing, diagramming, visual, written and oral reports and multi- media presentations to communicate the results of individual and group investigations.

 

10. Know and apply the accepted practices of science.

~ Demonstrate basic science practices.

~ Explain why similar investigations may not produce similar results.

~ Explain why keeping accurate and detailed records is important (experiments).

 

11. Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology and society.

~ Explain and demonstrate how scientific instruments/technology are used to collect, store and retrieve data.

~ Describe the effects of scientific and technological innovations on society.

~ Identify and explain ways that science and technology influence the lives and careers of people.

~ Compare the relative effectiveness of reusing, reducing, and recycling in actual situations.

~ Identify and explain ways that technology changes ecosystems.

~ Analyze how specific personal and societal choices that humans make affect local, regional, and global ecosystems.

(Experimental demonstration, movies and discussion and evaluation of projects)