NOTE: on my class page you will find science sections for grades 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5-6.
Ask about sibling and discounts!

I just loved teaching science!  This course can be taken for the purpose of introducing or for reteaching 3rd grade science standards. Every 2- to 3-weeks the classes will work on a different theme. (Unless otherwise noted.) 

The students will interact with the teacher and their peers as they learn, investigate and discuss various science topics. They will engage in hands on activities to further imbed these concepts into their memory. Topic activities will contain educational materials (video clips and books) as well as other mediums that are appropriate for that lesson.  **This is a very active class that does require some independence. If your child needs more adaptive assistance, please plan on sitting in on the class. I don't want anyone to miss out just because he/she needs extra in-person help!  

NGSS Standards to Be Covered This Year:

3-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
       -- Fossils Provide Life From Long Ago
       -- Characteristics of Species Provide Advantages in Surviving, Finding Mates, and Reproducing
       -- Habitats:  Some Organisms Survive Well, Some Not So Much (Natural Selection)
       --  What Environmental Changes Do to Plants and Animals

3-LS1 Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes 
       -- Diverse Life Cycles
       -- All Living Things Go Through Birth, Growth, Reproduction and Death

3-LS2 Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics 
       -- Some Animals Form Groups That Help Members Survive

3-LS3 Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits
       -- Plants and Animals Have Traits Inherited From Parents
       -- Traits Exists in a Group of Similar Organisms.
       -- Traits Can Be Influenced By the Environment.

3-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
       -- Balanced and Unbalanced Forces on an Object's Motion
       -- Provide Evidence That a Pattern Can Be Used to Predict Future Motion
       -- Magnetic Interactions Between Two Objects Not in Contact With Each Other
       -- Define a Simple Design Problem That Can Be Solved By Applying Ideas About Magnets

3-ESS2 Earth’s Systems
       --  Describe Typical Weather Conditions Expected During a Particular Season
       --  Describe Climates in Different Regions of the World

3-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
       -- Design a Solution That Reduces the Impacts of a Weather-Related Hazard

3-5-ETS1 Engineering Design 
    -- Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
    -- 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.
    -- 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.

ADDITIONAL Topics to be Covered:  

Model Together 4 Parts to Our Earth:  Rocks/Soil, Water, Air, Living Things
How Our Earth Changes

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2024-2025 SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE: 

Week of Sept 8:  Introductions + Magic Milk Science & Art Activity
Week of Sept 15:  Scientific Method Experiment

Week of Sept 22:  Finish What is Science
                               Begin EARTH

** SEPTEMBER to END-OCTOBER 2024 - EARTH **

Pre-Knowledge:  4 Earth Systems Overview

3-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
       -- Fossils Provide Life From Long Ago

** MID-NOVEMBER to WINTER BREAK (close) **

3-ESS2 Earth’s Systems
       --  Describe Typical Weather Conditions Expected During a Particular Season
       --  Describe Climates in Different Regions of the World

3-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
       -- Design a Solution That Reduces the Impacts of a Weather-Related Hazard


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2023-2024 SCHEDULE:

Week of Sept 3:  1 CLASS ONLY for Week #1:  Introductions & What is Science?
Weeks of Sept 10:  Scientific Method Observations + Experiments
Week of Sept 17:  Apple Experiment Results + Scientific Method Process
Week of Sept 24:  Living Things:  Birth, Growth, Reproduction and Death
Week of Oct. 1:  Finish Life Cycle Definitions for all Living Things

 —- OCT 8-14: Columbus Day & Fall Break

Week of Oct 15:  Animal Classifications / Life Cycle:  Insects
                             Complete vs Incomplete Metamorphosis
Week of Oct 22:  Animal Classifications / Life Cycle:  
                              Amphibians vs Reptiles + What is a Trait?
Week of Oct 29:  NO MONDAY CLASS OCT 30 - travel 
                              NO TUESDAY CLASS OCT 31 - Halloween
                              YES CLASS WEDNESDAY NOV 1 - 
                                      Animal Classifications / TRAITS:  Fish
                              YES CLASS THURSDAY NOV 2 - 
                                       Animal Classifications / TRAITS:  Fish
Week of Nov 5:  Animal Classifications / TRAITS:  Birds
Week of Nov 12:  Animal Classifications / TRAITS:  Reptiles / Amphibians
Week of Nov 19:  Animal Classifications / TRAITS:  Arthropods

 ----- OFF THANKSGIVING WED & THURS

Week of Nov 26:  Food Chain:  Energy Starts with the Sun
Week of Dec 3:  Labeling Food Chains and Energy Transfer
Week of Dec 10:  Ecosystems:  POND Food Chain + Living and Nonliving Things
Week of Dec 17:  Food Chains in Ecosystems + Photosynthesis

WINTER BREAK:  December 22 - January 8th (classes begin on the 9th)

JANUARY:  Ecosystem Presentations
                    Finish Classification / Traits / Adaptations

Week of Jan 7:  Habitat presentation - Wednesday only class
Week of Jan 14:  Finish Ecosystem presentations
Week of Jan 21:  Animal Traits / Adaptations

Week of Jan 29 to Feb 18:  Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity Unit

       3-LS4 Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity
                    -- Fossils Provide Life From Long Ago
                    -- Characteristics of Species Provide Advantages in Surviving, 
                         Finding Mates, and Reproducing
                    -- Habitats:  Some Organisms Survive Well, Some Not So Much 
                         (Natural Selection)
                    --  What Environmental Changes Do to Plants and Animals

Week of Feb 25:  Begin 3-ESS2 Earth’s Systems & Human Activity

         3-ESS2 Earth’s Systems
                    --  Describe Typical Weather Conditions Expected During a 
                          Particular Season
                    --  Describe Climates in Different Regions of the World

         3-ESS3 Earth and Human Activity
                    -- Map out a Solution That Reduces the Impacts of a 
                         Weather-Related Hazard

End of March / April: Begin FORCES

3-PS2 Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
       -- Balanced and Unbalanced Forces on an Object's Motion
       -- Provide Evidence That a Pattern Can Be Used to Predict Future Motion
       -- Magnetic Interactions Between Two Objects Not in Contact With Each Other
       -- Define a Simple Design Problem That Can Be Solved By Applying Ideas About Magnets

NOTE:  There will be NO CLASSES on
Wednesday / Thursday: April 24 & 25
Monday / Tuesday: April 29 & 30

May:  BEGIN PLANTS

3-LS1 Molecules to Organisms:  PLANT Structures and Processes 
       -- Diverse Life Cycles = PLANTS
       -- All Living Things Go Through Birth, Growth, Reproduction and Death = PLANTS