5th GRADE SCIENCE GOALS AND CONTENT
Overarching K-5 Science Goals: We want our students to…
- think logically and critically like scientists.
- ask questions and seek their own answers.
- follow their own interests as well as the topic of the lesson.
- make predictions and to draw conclusions.
- be curious and follow their curiosity to discovery.
- design and implement age-appropriate experiments.
- communicate knowledge and demonstrate understanding.
- respect and understand natural life and our planet.
5th Grade Science Content Includes:
- introduction to the scientific method
- measurement, cause and effect, design of experiments
- human body and its systems: sensory system, respiratory and circulatory systems, digestive system, musculoskeletal system, nervous system, and immune system
- epidemiology
- nutrition: personal health, hygiene, exercise
- geography: environments and resources
- structure and history of earth
- cartography
5th Grade Theme Studies
Theme studies integrate the humanities and, when possible, science and math. One rich and interesting theme can provide many connections between facts, ideas, locations, peoples, and a students’ life experience. Themes can encompass history, geography, anthropology, sociology, current events, and research methods. Theme study is designed for depth of understanding rather than coverage of facts. In going deep, students not only learn much about a particular topic, they learn how to go deep in other subjects they encounter in their future schooling. Within a classroom, themes may vary from year to year.
Tr. Brenda Boggess (2005-2006): Navigating Your World
Fifth graders are more and more cognizant of the world around them and this year of study supports them as they grow into this awareness. In literature we explore characters who navigate their worlds with humor and insight and strength. In social studies we trace the explorations of James Cook and Ernest Shackleton, trying out their skills as navigators and exploring their roles as leaders. With an eye toward becoming good citizens of our global community, each fifth grader also spends a good deal of time during the second half of the year becoming an expert on one country in the world, researching its culture, geography, and way of life. This Country Project culminates each spring with our Fifth Grade World's Fair. In science we focus on the human body with special emphasis on how to navigate toward healthy choices. Natural connections with our theme and math abound in the realm of fractions, decimals, and percents and their roles in our lives as careful consumers.
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