This 12 week course will cover the first semester of 3rd grade science content in an engaging and interactive style. Students will be encouraged to question, explore, analyze, and make conclusions about science content through the best practices supported by National Science Teacher's Association guidelines. All lessons will be based on the 5E model of inquiry science, which allows students to make their own discoveries, supported by the teacher and will include appropriate academic vocabulary. Lesson activities will include interactive notebooks to record learning, hands on science investigations, videos, articles, foldables, models, discussions, and games. Every lesson will spark imagination and encourage learner interaction. Instructional level is appropriate for ages 8 - 10, however younger students with strong reading and critical thinking skills may also be successful. If your child is out of the age range, please reach out so that we may discuss learning levels and content more in depth. My teaching style is relaxed and accommodating, as I strive to reach all learners through a variety of modalities. Students in my classes will always feel successful, supported, and encouraged. Classes will meet twice per week for 50 minutes each session following the outline below - 

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, learn about safe science procedures and tools scientists use. We will practice accurate measurement using a variety of tools, and play a Jeopardy style game to assess learning. 

Week 2: Force and Motion - Students will begin with creating their own understanding about forces and how they occur. They will understand that a force is a push or a pull, and that simple machines can affect the way objects move.  Lessons will explore the 6 simple machines with hands on investigations.  All investigations in this class will be conducted by students as they follow along with teacher's model.

Week 3: Students will continue to explore simple machines by building two different wagons and testing to see which one requires the least force to move, using valid experimental design.  The second investigation of the week will begin to develop an understanding of how the force of gravity moves objects in different positions.

Week 4: This week will focus on the forces of friction and magnetism.  The first lesson will be an investigation into how friction affects motion, and lesson 2 will center on magnetism as a force. Both lessons this week will be hands on with materials found around the house.

Week 5: moves into the study of matter - what is it and how it can change. Lesson 1 will identify states of matter, including physical properties of matter and the position and characteristics of molecules. Lesson 2 will be an investigation of how temperature affects matter.

Week 6: Continuing our study of physical properties, this week's lessons will focus on density and mixtures.  Both lessons involve hands on investigations. Academic vocabulary will be reinforced through the use of Frayer models, foldables and games.

Week 7:  This week will begin with forms of energy by exploring mechanical energy, sound energy, heat energy and light energy. Each lesson will include hands on components and discussion. Students will create a foldable about the different forms of energy and explore important academic vocabulary such as reflection, refraction, transparent, translucent, and opaque.

Week 8:  We begin with a game to assess learning of physical science content through an interactive Google Slide activity, then move to the first part of Earth Science. We will begin the weather unit by learning what a meteorologist does and how their work affect all of us. In the second lesson this week, we will begin observing weather, specifically precipitation. Students will make weather tools and keep a weather journal to record weather in their own area.  Each lesson will include hands on components and discussion. 

Week 9:  Continuing with weather, we will make tools for measuring wind speed and direction, and temperature. We'll discuss our observations recorded in the weather journals, and compare different areas around the world.

Week 10:  This week will culminate our weather study. Lesson 1 we will compare weather conditions at the same time in different places in the world, and discuss how latitude helps determine the weather in a specific place. In lesson 2, we'll learn about weather maps  what the symbols mean, and how to interpret weather maps to prepare for daily life.

Week 11: This week's focus is on natural resources, their uses and the importance of conservation. We will learn about products made from natural resources, and how the conservation of resources can impact environments around the world. Students will be presented with a product menu from which to choose their final summative project for the course.  The projects will be presented during week 12.

Week 12: This week wraps up the course with students presenting their final products to the class and giving and receiving feedback. We will play a digital escape room game that incorporates all of the content of the course and celebrate our successes.