Course Content
A. Matter and Mass
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A.01. Identify solids, liquids, and gases.
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A.02. Sort objects based on their physical properties.
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A.03. Define mass and volume.
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A.04. Calculate the density of a substance.
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A.05. Explain the concept of conservation of matter.
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A.06. Interpret graphs representing changes in mass.
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A.07. Apply density calculations to real-world problems.
B. States of Matter
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B.01. Describe the characteristics of solids, liquids, and gases.
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B.02. Explain the changes of state (melting, freezing, boiling, condensation).
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B.03. Interpret change-of-state diagrams.
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B.04. Relate heating and cooling to changes of state.
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B.05. Explain the role of energy in phase transitions.
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B.06. Predict the state of matter under different temperature and pressure conditions.
C. Properties of Materials
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C.01. Compare and contrast the properties of different materials (e.g., hardness, texture, flexibility).
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C.02. Identify materials based on their observable properties.
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C.03. Explain how the properties of materials determine their uses.
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C.04. Design an experiment to test the properties of a material.
D. Heat and Thermal Energy
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D.01. Define heat and temperature.
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D.02. Explain how heat flows from warmer to cooler objects.
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D.03. Predict the direction of heat flow in different scenarios.
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D.04. Explain the relationship between temperature and thermal energy.
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D.05. Describe methods of heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation).
E. Physical and Chemical Changes
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E.01. Identify examples of physical changes.
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E.02. Identify examples of chemical changes.
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E.03. Distinguish between physical and chemical changes.
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E.04. Explain how physical changes differ from chemical changes.
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E.05. Predict the outcome of a physical or chemical change.
F. Mixtures
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F.01. Define a mixture.
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F.02. Identify examples of mixtures.
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F.03. Explain how mixtures can be separated.
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F.04. Classify mixtures as homogeneous or heterogeneous.
G. Force and Motion
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G.01. Identify forces acting on an object.
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G.02. Define balanced and unbalanced forces.
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G.03. Explain how balanced and unbalanced forces affect motion.
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G.04. Describe the relationship between mass, force, and acceleration (Newton’s second law).
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G.05. Describe different types of forces (gravity, friction, etc.).
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G.06. Interpret graphs representing motion.
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G.07. Apply Newton’s laws to real-world scenarios.
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G.08. Compare amplitudes and wavelengths of waves.
H. Magnets
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H.01. Identify magnets and their poles.
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H.02. Describe the interaction between magnets (attraction and repulsion).
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H.03. Compare the strengths of magnetic forces.
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H.04. Explain the concept of a magnetic field.
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H.05. Describe real-world applications of magnets.
I. Energy Transformation
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I.01. Define energy transformation.
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I.02. Identify examples of energy transformations.
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I.03. Explain how energy changes form.
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I.04. Draw diagrams illustrating energy transformations.
J. Electricity
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J.01. Define static electricity.
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J.02. Identify charged objects.
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J.03. Explain how electric circuits work.
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J.04. Identify conductors and insulators.
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J.05. Explain the difference between series and parallel circuits.
K. Light
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K.01. Explain how we see objects.
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K.02. Describe how light travels and interacts with matter.
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K.03. Explain the concept of reflection and refraction.
L. Classification of Living Things
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L.01. Distinguish between living and nonliving things.
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L.02. Identify characteristics of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians.
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L.03. Classify animals as vertebrates or invertebrates.
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L.04. Use evidence to classify animals into different groups.
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L.05. Describe and compare different kingdoms of organisms.
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L.06. Explain the importance of classification systems.
M. Scientific Names
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M.01. Identify common and scientific names of organisms.
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M.02. Explain the origins and purpose of scientific names.
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M.03. Use scientific names to classify organisms.
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M.04. Explain the binomial nomenclature system.
N. Animal Life Cycles and Systems
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N.01. Read and construct animal life cycle diagrams.
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N.02. Compare and contrast different animal life cycles.
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N.03. Identify human organs and their functions.
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N.04. Describe the functions of major body systems (circulation, respiration, digestion, waste removal, perception, motion).
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N.05. Explain the interactions between different body systems.
O. Plant Life Cycles and Structures
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O.01. Classify fruits and vegetables as plant parts.
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O.02. Identify plant parts and their functions.
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O.03. Explain how plants make food (photosynthesis).
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O.04. Identify flower parts and their functions.
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O.05. Describe and construct flowering plant life cycles.
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O.06. Describe and construct conifer life cycles.
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O.07. Compare and contrast different plant life cycles.
P. Adaptations
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P.01. Define adaptation.
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P.02. Explain how adaptations help organisms survive.
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P.03. Identify animal adaptations in different environments (beaks, mouths, necks, feet, limbs, skins).
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P.04. Explain how adaptations are related to natural selection.
Q. Traits and Heredity
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Q.01. Identify traits.
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Q.02. Explain how traits are inherited.
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Q.03. Distinguish between inherited and acquired traits.
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Q.04. Use evidence to support statements about inherited and acquired traits.
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Q.05. Read and interpret plant and animal pedigree charts.
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Q.06. Explain the concept of dominant and recessive traits.
R. Cells
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R.01. Identify the functions of plant cell parts.
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R.02. Identify the functions of animal cell parts.
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R.03. Label plant and animal cell diagrams.
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R.04. Compare and contrast plant and animal cells.
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R.05. Explain the importance of cells in living organisms.
S. Ecosystems
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S.01. Define ecosystem.
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S.02. Identify and describe different ecosystems.
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S.03. Identify the roles of organisms in food chains.
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S.04. Explain how matter moves through food chains (energy flow).
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S.05. Interpret food webs.
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S.06. Describe the relationships between organisms in an ecosystem.
T. Conservation and Natural Resources
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T.01. Explain the importance of conserving natural resources.
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T.02. Evaluate different natural energy sources.
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T.03. Discuss the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
U. Rocks and Minerals
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U.01. Define erosion.
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U.02. Identify minerals based on their properties.
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U.03. Identify rocks based on their properties.
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U.04. Explain how sedimentary rocks form.
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U.05. Classify rocks as igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic.
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U.06. Explain how rock layers form.
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U.07. Describe the rock cycle.
V. Fossils
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V.01. Define fossil.
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V.02. Identify and classify different types of fossils.
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V.03. Compare fossils to modern organisms.
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V.04. Use observations to support hypotheses about ancient organisms.
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V.05. Interpret evidence from fossils in rock layers.
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V.06. Explain how fossils provide evidence of past life.
W. Weather and Climate
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W.01. Read and interpret a thermometer.
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W.02. Collect and graph temperature data.
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W.03. Distinguish between weather and climate.
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W.04. Describe weather and climate patterns around the world.
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W.05. Use climate data to make predictions.
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W.06. Explain the water cycle.
X. Earth’s Features
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X.01. Identify Earth’s land features using photographs and satellite images.
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X.02. Describe the distribution of water on Earth.
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X.03. Read and interpret topographic maps.
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X.04. Explain the processes that shape Earth’s surface.
Y. Earth Events
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Y.01. Describe the effects of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
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Y.02. Explain the causes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Z. Astronomy
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Z.01. Explain how shadows are formed.
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Z.02. Describe Earth’s rotation and orbit.
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Z.03. Explain the cause of day and night.
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Z.04. Compare the brightness of the Sun and other stars.
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Z.05. Identify constellations and their patterns in the night sky.
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Z.06. Identify phases of the moon.
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Z.07. Explain the causes of seasons.
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Z.08. Identify planets in the solar system.
AA. Engineering Practices
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AA.01. Evaluate multiple design solutions for real-world problems (flooding, hurricane damage).
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AA.02. Justify the selection of the best design solution.
BB. Units and Measurement
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BB.01. Choose appropriate customary and metric units for distance, mass, and volume.
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BB.02. Abbreviate units of time, distance, mass, and volume.
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BB.03. Convert between customary and metric units.
