This 12 week course will cover the second 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 55 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 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.