4th & 5th Grade Science: Fall Semester Full Curriculum: STEM /Hands-On Projects
In this semester long STEM course, students will work on enriching, hands on projects and activities that match the Next Generation Science Standards for 5th grade. #academic
Corrie Ostrem, M. Ed, B.S. Elem. Ed
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(204)
What's included
30 live meetings
22 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. Homework is optional for each family. On occasion, students may not finish their project in time during class and may want to continue working on it outside of the lesson.Assessment
Tests, letter grades, and report cards will not be provided, but feedback will be provided to parents and students often.Grading
includedClass Experience
US Grade 4 - 6
Beginner - Advanced Level
Does you child need enrichment for their current science curriculum or prefer to learn through projects? This course offers instruction on all of 5th grade science in ONE semester. Students will engage in deep, thought provoking questioning and will work with the teacher to create projects, participate in a demonstrations, or conduct experiments that support the learning goal of the day. Each day's lesson will include a student notebook page (printable PDF) for the student to work with. The science journal will include areas for lab notes, diagrams, graphs, illustrations and other related information. Each lesson will also be cross-curricular, and will integrate many math (measurement, graphing, calculations) and reading skills.
Please email Corrie Bowman Ostrem to schedule other section dates and times. This course can also be offered once as week, over the entire school year if preferred.
Topics for the semester are as follows:
Semester Theme: Matter and Its Interactions
The semester will be broken down in to the topics described by the Next Generation Science Standards for 5th grade:
Section 1: :
Lesson 1: What is the Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere and Atmosphere? Project: Begin Science Journal for Semester
Lesson 2: Topic: Solids, Liquids, Gases Project: Model Building/ Exploring Sizes of Atoms, Molecules, Particles
Lesson 3: Topic: Phase Changes Activity: Observe water demonstration; boiling freezing points observed
Lesson 4: Topic: Water Cycle Activity: Build your own water cycle simulation box
Lesson 5: Topic: Where is Earth's Water? Activity: Hands-on math / science cross curricular activity
Lesson 6: Does Salt Water Evaporate? Activity: Hands-On demonstration/ observation
Lesson 7: Salt vs. Fresh Water; Activity: Exploring density (Hands- on)
Lesson 8: Volume, vs. Mass; Activity: (Hands-on) Compare different volumes and masses of various substances
Lesson 9: Is Mass Constant? Activity: Comparing masses as substances change state (hands-on experiment)
Lesson 10: Mixtures and Solutions: Activity: Hands-On creation of various mixtures and solutions
Section 2:
Lesson 1: Biosphere: What is an ecosystem? Activity: Learn about the members of an ecosystem (Science Journal)
Lesson 2: Apex Predators: How can one species change an ecosystem? Activity: Starfish study
Lesson 3: Apex Predator Continued. Activity: Select and research an apex predator of your choice
Lesson 4: Trophic Levels and Food Chains Activity: Create a 3D sculpture of tropic levels for your ecosystem
Lesson 5: How does energy transfer in animals? Activity: Making food webs (physical movement activity)
Lesson 6: How do animals use energy? Activity: Cellular Respiration Comic art
Lesson 7: How to plants get energy? Activity: Photosynthesis Comic Art
Lesson 8: Engineering Design Process: Activity: STEM challenge Building / Discuss steps of process
Lesson 9: Engineering Design Steps 1-4 Activity: Design your own working ecosystem model
Lesson 10: Engineering Design Steps 5-8 Activity: Design your own working ecosystem model
Section 3:
Lesson 1: Water Concerns on Earth Activity: Explore Student interests on water related issues (drought, global warming,
pollution, access)
Lesson 2: Begin student selected topic research project Activity: Conduct Research on Selected Topic
Lesson 3: Engineering Design Process: Design a Solution to water problem (Creating Criteria and Constraints for Project)
Lesson 4: Engineering Design Process: Activity: Prototype Drawings / Planning Materials
Lesson 5:Engineering Design Process: Activity: Prototype Building
Lesson 6: Engineering Design Process: Activity: Iterations and Testing
Lesson 7: Engineering Design Process: Activity: Discussing Results, Conclusions, and Alternatives
Lesson 8: What are stars? Activity: Our sun vs. other stars (Making Models) (Discuss size and color)
Lesson 9: Distances in Space Activity: Learning Scientific Notation to record distances (Math cross curricular)
Lesson 10: Why do we have day, night, and seasons? Activity: Working model of Sun, Moon, and Earth (rotation / revolution)Learning Goals
Learning goals / Objectives covered in this course:
5-PS1-1. Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen. Examples of
evidence could include adding air to expand a basketball, compressing air in a syringe, dissolving sugar in water, and evaporating salt water.
5-PS1-2. Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved. Examples of reactions
or changes could include phase changes, dissolving, and mixing that forms new substances.
5-PS1-3. Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties. Examples of
materials to be identified could include baking soda and other powders, metals, minerals, and liquids. Examples of properties could include color, hardness, reflectivity, electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, response to magnetic forces, and solubility; density is not intended as an identifiable property.
5-PS1-4. Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.
5-PS3-1. Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain
body warmth) was once energy from the sun.
5-LS1-1. Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water.
5-LS2-1. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
5-ESS2-1. Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere
interact.
5-ESS2-2. Describe and graph the amounts of salt water and fresh water in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.
5-ESS3-1. Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment.
3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
5-ESS1-1. Support an argument that the apparent brightness of the sun and stars is due to their relative distances from the
Earth.
5-ESS1-2. Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in length and direction of shadows, day and night, and the seasonal appearance of some stars in the night sky.
Syllabus
Curriculum
Follows Teacher-Created CurriculumStandards
Aligned with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)30 Lessons
over 15 WeeksLesson 1:
Topic: What is the Biosphere, Hydrosphere, Geosphere and Atmosphere?
Project: Begin Science Journal for Semester 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Topic: Solids, Liquids, Gases
Project: Model Building/ Exploring Sizes of Atoms, Molecules, Particles 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Topic: Phase Changes
Activity: Observe water demonstration; boiling freezing points observed 45 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Topic: Water Cycle
Activity: Build your own water cycle simulation box 45 mins online live lesson
Other Details
Parental Guidance
During the last section we will play Kahoot! which is a 3rd party website. Students will open up a tab and visit the Kahoot! site. They will be given a code to join the trivia game. They do not need to register for Kahoot! or sign in. No personal information will be collected by the use of this site. This site is on the approved by Outschool 3rd party list.
During research projects, students will also use Google and appropriate sources to locate information. We will discuss what makes a google research search and how to find appropriate sources of information.
Supply List
Due to the nature of many lessons in this course being student driven and often designed, a supply list will be provided to the family 1-2 weeks prior to the course. This list will be shared and discussed by the teacher, student, and parent at the beginning of the course.
Language of Instruction
English
Joined July, 2020
5.0
204reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Montana Teaching Certificate in Elementary Education
2 Degrees
Master's Degree in Education from Montana State University Billings
Bachelor's Degree in Education from Montana State University Billings
Please review my teacher biography for further information. In short, I have taught science in grades 3-7 for 18 years. Reviews
Live Group Course
$52
weekly or $780 for 30 classes2x per week, 15 weeks
45 min
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
5-10 learners per class
