Course Content
A. Materials:
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A.01. Identify and compare the physical properties of common objects (e.g., color, texture, hardness).
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A.02. Classify objects based on their observable properties.
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A.03. Distinguish between qualitative and quantitative observations of materials.
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A.04. Use appropriate tools to measure properties of materials (e.g., rulers, balances).
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A.05. Explain the importance of accurate observation and measurement in science.
B. Matter and Mass:
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B.01. Define mass and volume.
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B.02. Calculate the density of a substance given its mass and volume.
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B.03. Understand and explain the concept of conservation of matter.
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B.04. Interpret and create graphs representing mass and volume relationships.
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B.05. Apply the concept of density to solve real-world problems.
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B.06. Explain how density relates to buoyancy.
C. Heat and Thermal Energy:
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C.01. Define heat and temperature.
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C.02. Describe the changes of state (melting, freezing, evaporating, condensing, sublimating).
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C.03. Interpret and draw change-of-state diagrams.
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C.04. Explain the relationship between heat transfer and temperature change.
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C.05. Predict the direction of heat flow between objects at different temperatures.
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C.06. Explain how mass affects the thermal energy of an object.
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C.07. Describe the role of heat in chemical reactions.
D. Physical and Chemical Change:
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D.01. Differentiate between physical and chemical changes.
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D.02. Identify evidence of physical and chemical changes.
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D.03. Identify reactants and products in a chemical reaction.
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D.04. Classify substances as mixtures or pure substances.
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D.05. Explain how chemical changes differ from physical changes at the molecular level.
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D.06. Give examples of physical and chemical changes in everyday life.
E. Atoms and Molecules:
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E.01. Identify and describe atoms and molecules.
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E.02. Interpret and draw ball-and-stick models of simple molecules.
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E.03. Write and interpret simple chemical formulas.
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E.04. Count atoms of each element in a chemical formula.
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E.05. Distinguish between elements, compounds, and mixtures.
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E.06. Classify substances as elements, compounds, or mixtures based on their chemical formulas or models.
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E.07. Explain the role of atoms and molecules in chemical reactions.
F. Force and Motion:
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F.01. Identify forces acting on an object and their directions.
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F.02. Describe the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on motion.
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F.03. Explain how mass affects acceleration.
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F.04. Define and describe waves (amplitude and wavelength).
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F.05. Explain Newton’s Laws of Motion in simple terms.
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F.06. Describe different types of forces (gravity, friction, etc.).
G. Magnets:
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G.01. Describe the properties of magnets (attraction, repulsion, poles).
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G.02. Identify which poles of magnets attract or repel each other.
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G.03. Compare the strengths of different magnets.
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G.04. Explain how magnets work at a basic level.
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G.05. Describe the use of magnets in everyday technology.
H. Energy Transformation:
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H.01. Define energy and its different forms.
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H.02. Describe examples of energy transformations.
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H.03. Explain the law of conservation of energy.
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H.04. Identify sources of different types of energy.
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H.05. Explain how energy is transferred in different systems.
I. Electricity:
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I.01. Define and explain electric circuits.
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I.02. Identify conductors and insulators.
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I.03. Explain the importance of electrical safety.
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I.04. Describe the role of electricity in everyday life.
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I.05. Draw and interpret simple circuit diagrams.
J. Light:
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J.01. Describe how light travels and interacts with matter (reflection, refraction).
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J.02. Explain how we see objects.
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J.03. Identify sources of light.
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J.04. Describe different types of light (visible, infrared, ultraviolet).
K. Classification:
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K.01. Identify characteristics of major animal groups (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians).
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K.02. Distinguish between vertebrates and invertebrates.
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K.03. Classify animals based on observable characteristics.
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K.04. Use evidence to support classification decisions.
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K.05. Describe the characteristics of the major kingdoms of living things.
L. Scientific Names:
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L.02. Identify the common and scientific names of organisms.
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L.03. Use scientific names to classify organisms.
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L.04. Explain the historical development of scientific naming systems.
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L.01. Explain the purpose of scientific names (binomial nomenclature).
M. Animals:
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M.01. Read and construct animal life cycle diagrams.
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M.02. Compare and contrast the life cycles of different animals.
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M.03. Identify human organs and their functions.
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M.04. Describe the major body systems (circulatory, respiratory, digestive, excretory, nervous, musculoskeletal).
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M.05. Explain the interactions between different body systems.
N. Plants:
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N.01. Identify plant parts and their functions (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds).
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N.02. Explain how plants make food (photosynthesis).
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N.03. Describe the life cycles of flowering plants, conifers, mosses, and ferns.
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N.04. Classify plants based on their characteristics.
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N.05. Explain the importance of plants in ecosystems.
O. Adaptations:
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O.01. Define adaptation and its role in survival.
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O.02. Identify animal adaptations related to different body parts (beaks, mouths, necks, feet, limbs, skin).
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O.03. Explain how adaptations help animals survive in their environments.
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O.04. Describe examples of plant adaptations.
P. Traits and Heredity:
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P.01. Define inherited and acquired traits.
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P.02. Identify inherited traits in offspring.
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P.03. Explain how traits are passed from parents to offspring.
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P.04. Interpret simple pedigree charts.
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P.05. Describe the role of genes in determining traits.
Q. Cells:
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Q.01. Identify the basic parts of plant and animal cells.
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Q.02. Describe the functions of major cell parts (cell membrane, nucleus, cytoplasm, chloroplasts, mitochondria).
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Q.03. Compare and contrast plant and animal cells.
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Q.04. Interpret cell diagrams.
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Q.05. Explain the importance of cells as the basic units of life.
R. Ecosystems:
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R.01. Define ecosystem and identify different types of ecosystems.
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R.02. Describe the components of an ecosystem (biotic and abiotic factors).
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R.03. Identify the roles of organisms in food chains.
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R.04. Interpret food webs and energy flow in ecosystems.
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R.05. Explain the cycling of matter in ecosystems.
S. Conservation and Natural Resources:
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S.01. Define natural resources and their importance.
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S.02. Explain the concept of conservation.
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S.03. Identify ways to conserve natural resources.
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S.04. Evaluate the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
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S.05. Describe sustainable practices.
T. Rocks:
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T.01. Identify common rocks and minerals.
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T.02. Describe the processes that form different types of rocks (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic).
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T.03. Interpret rock cycle diagrams.
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T.04. Explain the concept of erosion and weathering.
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T.05. Describe how fossils are formed and what they tell us about the past.
U. Fossils:
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U.01. Define fossil and different types of fossils.
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U.02. Identify and classify fossils.
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U.03. Compare fossils to modern organisms.
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U.04. Explain how fossils provide evidence about Earth’s history.
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U.05. Interpret fossil evidence from rock layers.
V. Weather and Climate:
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V.01. Distinguish between weather and climate.
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V.02. Describe different types of weather and climate.
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V.03. Interpret weather data (temperature, precipitation, wind).
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V.04. Use weather data to make predictions.
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V.05. Explain the factors that affect climate.
W. Earth’s Systems:
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W.01. Describe Earth’s major systems (geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere).
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W.02. Interpret water cycle diagrams.
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W.03. Explain the interactions between Earth’s systems.
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W.04. Describe the movement of water on Earth.
X. Earth’s Features:
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X.01. Identify major landforms (mountains, valleys, plains, rivers, etc.).
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X.02. Interpret topographic maps.
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X.03. Explain how landforms are formed.
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X.04. Describe the processes that shape Earth’s surface.
Y. Astronomy:
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Y.01. Explain the concepts of shadows, Earth’s rotation, and orbit.
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Y.02. Describe the relationship between Earth’s rotation and day/night.
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Y.03. Identify phases of the moon.
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Y.04. Describe solar and lunar eclipses.
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Y.05. Explain the causes of seasons.
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Y.06. Identify constellations and planets in the solar system.
Z. Engineering Practices:
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Z.01. Define engineering design process.
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Z.02. Evaluate design solutions for solving real-world problems.
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Z.03. Explain the importance of testing and iteration in the design process.
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Z.04. Describe different engineering solutions.
AA. Units and Measurement:
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AA.01. Identify and use customary and metric units for length, mass, and volume.
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AA.02. Convert between customary and metric units.
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AA.03. Use appropriate units for different measurements.
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AA.04. Express measurements using scientific notation.
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AA.05. Explain the importance of using standard units of measurement.
BB. Lab Tools and Equipment:
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BB.01. Identify common laboratory tools and equipment and their uses.
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BB.02. Explain safety procedures in the science laboratory.
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BB.03. Demonstrate proper use of laboratory equipment.
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BB.04. Explain the importance of careful handling and maintenance of lab equipment.
