Science - Grade Three
FIRST TERM:
UNDERSTANDING LIFE SYSTEMS - GROWTH AND CHANGES IN PLANTS
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
Plants have distinct characteristics. There are similarities and differences among various types of plants. Plants are the primary source of food for humans. Humans need to protect plants and their habitats. Plants are important to the planet.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess ways in which plants have an impact on society and the environment, and ways in which human activity has an impact on plants and plant habitats;
2. investigate similarities and differences in the characteristics of various plants, and ways in which the characteristics of plants relate to the environment in which they grow;
3. demonstrate an understanding that plants grow and change and have distinct characteristics.
UNDERSTANDING EARTH AND SPACE SYSTEMS - SOILS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
Soil is made up of living and non-living things. The composition, characteristics, and condition of soil determine its capacity to sustain life. Soil is an essential source of life and nutrients for many living things. Living things, including humans, interact with soils and can cause positive or negative changes.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess the impact of soils on society and the environment, and of society and the environment on soils;
2. investigate the composition and characteristics of different soils;
3. demonstrate an understanding of the composition of soils, the types of soils, and the relationship between soils and other living things.
FIRST TERM:
UNDERSTANDING LIFE SYSTEMS - GROWTH AND CHANGES IN PLANTS
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
Plants have distinct characteristics. There are similarities and differences among various types of plants. Plants are the primary source of food for humans. Humans need to protect plants and their habitats. Plants are important to the planet.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess ways in which plants have an impact on society and the environment, and ways in which human activity has an impact on plants and plant habitats;
2. investigate similarities and differences in the characteristics of various plants, and ways in which the characteristics of plants relate to the environment in which they grow;
3. demonstrate an understanding that plants grow and change and have distinct characteristics.
UNDERSTANDING EARTH AND SPACE SYSTEMS - SOILS IN THE ENVIRONMENT
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
Soil is made up of living and non-living things. The composition, characteristics, and condition of soil determine its capacity to sustain life. Soil is an essential source of life and nutrients for many living things. Living things, including humans, interact with soils and can cause positive or negative changes.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess the impact of soils on society and the environment, and of society and the environment on soils;
2. investigate the composition and characteristics of different soils;
3. demonstrate an understanding of the composition of soils, the types of soils, and the relationship between soils and other living things.
Second Term
UNDERSTANDING STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS - STRONG AND STABLE STRUCTURES
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
A structure has both form and function. Structures are affected by forces acting on them. Structures need to be strong and stable to be useful.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess the importance of form, function, strength, and stability in structures through time;
2. investigate strong and stable structures to determine how their design and materials enable them to perform their load-bearing function;
3. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of structure, strength, and stability and the factors that affect them.
UNDERSTANDING MATTER AND ENERGY - FORCES CAUSING MOVEMENT
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
There are several types of forces that cause movement. Forces cause objects to speed up, slow down, or change direction through direct contact or through interaction at a distance. Forces in nature, such as high winds or water, can have a significant impact on humans and the environment, and need to be regarded with respect.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess the impact of various forces on society and the environment;
2. investigate devices that use forces to create controlled movement;
3. demonstrate an understanding of how forces cause movement and changes in movement.
UNDERSTANDING STRUCTURES AND MECHANISMS - STRONG AND STABLE STRUCTURES
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
A structure has both form and function. Structures are affected by forces acting on them. Structures need to be strong and stable to be useful.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess the importance of form, function, strength, and stability in structures through time;
2. investigate strong and stable structures to determine how their design and materials enable them to perform their load-bearing function;
3. demonstrate an understanding of the concepts of structure, strength, and stability and the factors that affect them.
UNDERSTANDING MATTER AND ENERGY - FORCES CAUSING MOVEMENT
This Science unit will encourage students to understand the Big Ideas:
There are several types of forces that cause movement. Forces cause objects to speed up, slow down, or change direction through direct contact or through interaction at a distance. Forces in nature, such as high winds or water, can have a significant impact on humans and the environment, and need to be regarded with respect.
OVERALL EXPECTATIONS
By the end of Grade 3, students will:
1. assess the impact of various forces on society and the environment;
2. investigate devices that use forces to create controlled movement;
3. demonstrate an understanding of how forces cause movement and changes in movement.
Science Links
Structures: Strong and Stable
Information about Structures
A story about structures: Nanabush and the Bridge
Read this book: We're Going to Be Engineers
Watch a video clip about structures: Structures
Learn about structures in nature: Bear Paw Trail
How Do Beavers Build Dams video clip
How beavers building dams affects the environment video clip
Video clip: Subterranean structures
Amazing Animal Architects information
Animal Made Structures information
Video clip: Soldier crabs on the beach
Video clip: Soldier crabs
Strong and Stable Structures from Wikispaces
Choosing building materials
Bridge Construction Sites:
Building Big - The Labs - from PBS - experiment with Forces, Materials, Loads and Shapes
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/forces.htm
Online Glossary
Learn more about compression and tension with Wonderville's Strongman
Build a Tipi! In this Science Alberta Foundation resource, a young First Nations girl explains the steps involved in erecting a Cree tipi. With the girl’s coaching, students select materials, place poles, and insert stakes leading to
the completion of the tipi
http://www.fincher.org/CoinStacking/HowTo.shtml
http://www.fincher.org/Misc/Pennies/World6.shtml
http://www.projects.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/structures/
http://www.historicbridges.org/
http://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/home.html
Information about the CN Tower
http://www.great-towers.com/
Structures: Strong and Stable
Information about Structures
A story about structures: Nanabush and the Bridge
Read this book: We're Going to Be Engineers
Watch a video clip about structures: Structures
Learn about structures in nature: Bear Paw Trail
How Do Beavers Build Dams video clip
How beavers building dams affects the environment video clip
Video clip: Subterranean structures
Amazing Animal Architects information
Animal Made Structures information
Video clip: Soldier crabs on the beach
Video clip: Soldier crabs
Strong and Stable Structures from Wikispaces
Choosing building materials
Bridge Construction Sites:
Building Big - The Labs - from PBS - experiment with Forces, Materials, Loads and Shapes
http://www.diydoctor.org.uk/projects/forces.htm
Online Glossary
Learn more about compression and tension with Wonderville's Strongman
Build a Tipi! In this Science Alberta Foundation resource, a young First Nations girl explains the steps involved in erecting a Cree tipi. With the girl’s coaching, students select materials, place poles, and insert stakes leading to
the completion of the tipi
http://www.fincher.org/CoinStacking/HowTo.shtml
http://www.fincher.org/Misc/Pennies/World6.shtml
http://www.projects.yrdsb.edu.on.ca/structures/
http://www.historicbridges.org/
http://www.cntower.ca/en-ca/home.html
Information about the CN Tower
http://www.great-towers.com/
Forces causing Movement
What is Force? Watch this clip.
Learn more about forces and movement.
What can't we see? Forces. We can measure them and see their effects.
Bitesize activities about forces
Forces Activity
Forces in Action
Forces in Nature
What Causes Flooding
Cool Facts and Tips on Flooding
Other Forces in Nature (click on a force in the menu)
Learn more about forces in nature
How sand dunes are made
Why we need to save our sand dunes
Gravity, Forces, and Work - video
What is Force? Watch this clip.
Learn more about forces and movement.
What can't we see? Forces. We can measure them and see their effects.
Bitesize activities about forces
Forces Activity
Forces in Action
Forces in Nature
What Causes Flooding
Cool Facts and Tips on Flooding
Other Forces in Nature (click on a force in the menu)
Learn more about forces in nature
How sand dunes are made
Why we need to save our sand dunes
Gravity, Forces, and Work - video
Growth and Changes in Plants
Click on the links to find activities and information related to Growth and Changes in Plants
Plants for Kids
Learn about Photosynthesis with this interactive activity
How Does Gravity Affect Root Growth?
From Link to Learning:
Growth and Changes in Plants
Plant Life Cycles Activity Fact Sheets Quiz
Helping Plants Grow Well Activity Fact Sheets Quiz
Great Plant Escape
How Plants Grow
Life Cycle of a Plant
Click on the links to find activities and information related to Soils in the Environment
Game about Rocks and Soil
Soil for Kids
From Link to Learning:
S.K. Worm Answers Your Questions About Soil and Stuff
Soil School
Great Plant Escape
The Dirt on Soil
Click on the links to find activities and information related to Growth and Changes in Plants
Plants for Kids
Learn about Photosynthesis with this interactive activity
How Does Gravity Affect Root Growth?
From Link to Learning:
Growth and Changes in Plants
Plant Life Cycles Activity Fact Sheets Quiz
Helping Plants Grow Well Activity Fact Sheets Quiz
Great Plant Escape
How Plants Grow
Life Cycle of a Plant
Click on the links to find activities and information related to Soils in the Environment
Game about Rocks and Soil
Soil for Kids
From Link to Learning:
S.K. Worm Answers Your Questions About Soil and Stuff
Soil School
Great Plant Escape
The Dirt on Soil
Soils in the Environment
What is Soil Made Of?
Video clip about Weathering and Erosion
Video clip about Decomposition
Take an Eco-Lifestyle Quiz
Video clip about a Worm Farm
Video clip about a Worm Wrangler
Video clip Composting for Kids
Video clip Why We Should Compost
Video clip Orgaworld: London, Ontario facility for organic waste
Video clip Orgaworld Compost: From Table Top to Farmer's Field
Game about Rocks and Soil
Information about soil
Soil for Kids
From Link to Learning:
S.K. Worm Answers Your Questions About Soil and Stuff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Soil School - from Soil-Net.com, an environmental Internet resource providing teachers and students extensive curriculum-based information about soil
Great Plant Escape
The Dirt on Soil - from DiscoverySchool.com
What is Soil Made Of?
Video clip about Weathering and Erosion
Video clip about Decomposition
Take an Eco-Lifestyle Quiz
Video clip about a Worm Farm
Video clip about a Worm Wrangler
Video clip Composting for Kids
Video clip Why We Should Compost
Video clip Orgaworld: London, Ontario facility for organic waste
Video clip Orgaworld Compost: From Table Top to Farmer's Field
Game about Rocks and Soil
Information about soil
Soil for Kids
From Link to Learning:
S.K. Worm Answers Your Questions About Soil and Stuff from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Soil School - from Soil-Net.com, an environmental Internet resource providing teachers and students extensive curriculum-based information about soil
Great Plant Escape
The Dirt on Soil - from DiscoverySchool.com