Elementary Full Curriculum Science for 3rd Grade, Part 2

This 12-week interactive course covers the second semester of 3rd grade science content in an engaging format. Students will be encouraged to question, explore, analyze, and draw conclusions about scientific concepts through best practices aligned with National Science Teachers Association guidelines. All lessons will utilize the 5E model of inquiry-based science, allowing students to make their own discoveries with teacher support while incorporating essential academic vocabulary.Lesson activities will include interactive notebooks for recording learning, hands-on science investigations, educational videos, articles, foldables, models, discussions, and engaging games. Each lesson is designed to ignite imagination and promote active student interaction. The instructional level is suitable for ages 8 to 10, but younger students with strong reading and critical thinking skills may also excel in this course. If your child falls outside the recommended age range, please reach out to discuss learning levels and content in greater detail. My teaching style is relaxed and accommodating, ensuring that all learners feel successful, supported, and encouraged. Classes will meet twice a week for 50 minutes each session, following a structured curriculum outline. - 

Week 1:  Set the Tone - This week we will get to know each other through games, set up interactive notebooks that will be used each class period and review science safety procedures. The study of soil and soil formation will begin with hands on investigations for both lessons this week.
Week 2:  We will finish up the soil study be investigating the weather of rocks and how that contributes to soil (hands on) and then begin the study of Earth's landforms - how they are formed and how slow changes occur through weathering. 
Week 3: This week we begin to explore fast changes on Earth. We will create an earthquake model and learn how earthquakes occur and the repercussions for communities.
Week 4: We continue our study of fast changes on Earth by exploring volcanoes on Monday and landslides on Thursday.
Week 5: Moving into the solar system unit, we begin with the physical characteristics of the Sun and how the Sun benefits life on Earth. We will also learn about the Sun, Earth, Moon system and how these bodies move around each other causing day/nigh and seasonal cycles.
Week 6:  Continuing in the solar system, we will learn about each of the planets and how they are alike and different, where they fall in relation to the Sun and how the order of the planets affects their characteristics. Finish up the unit with a Solar System digital escape room, working in groups.
Week 7:  The Life Science strand begins this week with the life cycle of plants on Monday and life cycle of animals on Thursday.
Week 8: Comparing the life cycles of plants and animals - how are they alike and different. Explore photosynthesis - how the process works and how it benefits all organisms in an ecosystem.
Week 9: How do organisms interact in an ecosystem? We will learn about food chains and food webs in different ecosystems.
Week 10: This week covers plant and animal interactions in ecosystem and how they are affect by changes in the ecosystem such as fires, floods, and human activity.
Week 11: Finish up life science by learning how plants and animals adapt to different environments and environmental changes. Begin discussing semester project, presented through a product choice menu.
Week 12: One day will be spent working on the projects, and the final day of class will be for project presentations and semester wrap up.