21^st CENTURY

5^th Grade Science

CONTENT STANDARDS AND OBJECTIVES FOR WEST VIRGINIA SCHOOLS (2520.3)

Janet Benincosa, TI Specialist

The Fifth Grade Science objectives identify, compare, classify and explain our living and designed worlds. Through a spiraling, inquiry-based program of study all students will demonstrate scientific literacy and the use of 21^st century skills in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, and earth and space sciences. The subject matter is delivered through a coordinated, integrated approach with an emphasis on the development of the major science themes of systems, changes and models. Students will engage in active inquiries, investigations, and hands-on activities for a minimum of 50% of the instructional time to develop conceptual understanding and research/laboratory skills. Safety instruction is integrated in all activities. Fifth Grade Science reviews earth and the sky, life cycles and habitats of organisms, properties, positions and motions of objects and energy. New major concepts introduced at the fifth grade level include changes in properties of matter, structures, functions and adaptations of organisms, and the structure of the earth’s system.

The West Virginia Standards for 21^st Century Learning include the following components: 21^st Century Content Standards and Objectives and 21^st Century Learning Skills and Technology Tools.

All West Virginia teachers are responsible for classroom instruction that integrates learning skills, technology tools and content standards and objectives. 

Fifth Grade

Grade 5		Science
Standard 1:		Nature of Science
SC.S.5.1		Students will · demonstrate an understanding of the history of science and the evolvement of scientific knowledge. · demonstrate an understanding of science as a human endeavor encompassing the contributions of diverse cultures and scientists. · demonstrate an understanding of the characteristics of a scientist. · demonstrate skills of scientific inquiry.
Performance Descriptors SC.PD.5.1
Distinguished			Above Mastery	Mastery	Partial Mastery	Novice
Fifth grade students at the distinguished level describe the importance of the research of historical and diverse scientists in society and culture; skepticism, use careful methodology and creativity to conduct investigations; predict, hypothesize, identify variables, organize and interpret experimental data using safe investigative techniques.			Fifth grade students at the above mastery level describe the research of historical and diverse scientists in society and culture; use careful methodology and creativity to conduct an investigation; demonstrate safe investigative techniques; make predictions and organize data; suggest experimental variables for investigations.	Fifth grade students at the mastery level recognize the research of historical and diverse scientists in society and culture; use careful methodology to observe, measure and record data as part of an investigation; demonstrate safe investigative techniques.	Fifth grade students at the partial mastery level recognize the findings of historical or diverse scientists in society and culture; use a methodology to observe, measure and record data; demonstrate safe investigative techniques; recognize factors that change in an experiment.	Fifth grade students at the novice level recognize the findings of a scientist; observe, measure and record data; demonstrate safe investigative techniques.
	Objectives	Students will
	SC.O.5.1.01	realize that scientists formulate and test their explanations of nature using observation and experiments.
	SC.O.5.1.02	recognize scientific knowledge is subject to modification as new scientific information challenges current explanations.
	SC.O.5.1.03	examine the careers and contributions of men and women of diverse cultures to the development of science.
	SC.O.5.1.04	compare and contrast the historical significance of scientific discoveries.
	SC.O.5.1.05	cooperate and collaborate to ask questions, design and conduct investigations to find answers and solve problems.
	SC.O.5.1.06	formulate conclusions through close observations, logical reasoning, objectivity, perseverance and integrity in data collection.
	SC.O.5.1.07	apply skepticism, careful methods, logical reasoning and creativity in investigating the observable universe.
	SC.O.5.1.08	use a variety of technologies and scientific instruments to conduct explorations, investigations and experiments of the natural world.
	SC.O.5.1.09	demonstrate safe techniques for handling, manipulating and caring for science materials, equipment, natural specimens and living organisms.
	SC.O.5.1.10	utilize experimentation to demonstrate scientific processes and thinking skills (e.g., formulating questions, predicting, forming hypotheses, quantifying, or identifying dependent and independent variables).
	SC.O.5.1.11	construct and use charts, graphs and tables to organize, display, interpret, analyze and explain data.
	SC.O.5.1.12	use inferential reasoning to make logical conclusions from collected data.

Grade 5		Science
Standard 2:		Content of Science
SC.S.5.2		Students will · demonstrate knowledge, understanding and applications of scientific facts, concepts, principles, theories and models as delineated in the objectives. · demonstrate an understanding of the interrelationships among physics, chemistry, biology and the earth and space sciences. · apply knowledge, understanding and skills of science subject matter/concepts to daily life experiences.
Performance Descriptors SC.PD.5.2
Distinguished			Above Mastery	Mastery	Partial Mastery	Novice
Fifth grade students at the distinguished level examine the structure to the function of living organisms and cells; analyze differences in niches, life cycles and energy/matter conversions of organisms in an ecosystem that contribute to survival; identify substances by their density experimentally; recognize that mass is conserved in physical changes; experimentally determine how the motion of objects are affected by variables; compare and contrast the characteristics of the earth’s layers and characterize changes that occur in the lithosphere and atmosphere; interpret the earth’s history using plate tectonics and relative dating; select the appropriate materials to design and quantitatively test electromagnets to evaluate differences in design.			Fifth grade students at the above mastery level relate the structure to the function of living organisms and cells; explore differences in niches, life cycles and energy/matter conversions of organisms in an ecosystem that contribute to survival; identify substances by their density experimentally; recognize that mass is conserved in physical changes; experimentally determine how the motion of objects are affected by variables; contrast the characteristics of the earth’s layers and characterize the lithosphere and atmosphere; interpret the earth’s history using plate tectonics and relative dating; select the appropriate materials to design, test and diagram the circuit of an electromagnet.	Fifth grade students at the mastery level identify and explain the function of living organisms, cells, and common energy conversions in cycles of matter; explore differences in niches and life cycles of organisms in an ecosystem that contribute to survival; find density experimentally; recognize that mass is conserved in physical changes; describe how the motion of objects are affected by variables; describe the structure of the earth and characterize the lithosphere and atmosphere; explore the earth’s history using plate tectonics and relative dating; select the appropriate materials to design and test an electromagnet.	Fifth grade students at the partial mastery level identify the function of living organisms, cells, and common energy conversions in cycles of matter; explain differences in niches and life cycles of organisms in an ecosystem that contribute to survival; calculate density; recognize that mass is conserved in physical changes; identify variables that affect the motion of objects; identify the structure of the earth and characterize the lithosphere and atmosphere; recognize the earth’s crust is divided into plates and that earth’s layers can be dated; build and test an electromagnet.	Fifth grade students at the novice level identify structures of living organisms; identify niches in ecosystems; recognize that mass is conserved in physical changes; identify variables that affect the motion of objects; identify the structure of the earth; recognize the earth’s crust is divided into plates; test an electromagnet.
	Objectives	Students will
	SC.O.5.2.01	demonstrate an understanding of the interconnections of biological, earth and space, and physical science concepts.
	SC.O.5.2.02	identify and explain common energy conversions in cycles of matter including photosynthesis and the carbon dioxide cycle.
	SC.O.5.2.03	identify the structures of living organisms and explain their function.
	SC.O.5.2.04	observe and identify cells of organisms using a microscope.
	SC.O.5.2.05	compare variations of plant growth and reproduction.
	SC.O.5.2.06	compare and contrast how the different characteristics of plants and animals help them to survive in different niches and environments including adaptations, natural selection, and extinction.
	SC.O.5.2.07	through the use of research and technology, explore the extinction of a species due to environmental conditions.
	SC.O.5.2.08	trace and describe the pathways of the sun’s energy through producers, consumers and decomposers using food webs and pyramids.
	SC.O.5.2.09	explain that the mass of a material is conserved whether it is together, in parts, or in a different state.
	SC.O.5.2.10	recognize that elements are composed of only one type of matter.
	SC.O.5.2.11	using the periodic table, identify common elements according to their symbols.
	SC.O.5.2.12	through experimentation, identify substances by their relative densities (mass/volume=density).
	SC.O.5.2.13	analyze diagrams of electrical circuits.
	SC.O.5.2.14	measure electricity using voltage and wattage.
	SC.O.5.2.15	investigate the properties of an electromagnet by selecting appropriate materials, designing and testing an electromagnet, and evaluating differences in design.
	SC.O.5.2.16	describe how the variables of gravity and friction affect the motion of objects.
	SC.O.5.2.17	compare and contrast the change in length, tension, or thickness of a vibrating object on the frequency of vibration.
	SC.O.5.2.18	describe the layers of the earth and their various features.
	SC.O.5.2.19	identify and describe natural landforms and explain how they change and impact weather and climate.
	SC.O.5.2.20	use a variety of instruments and sources to collect and display weather data to describe weather patterns.
	SC.O.5.2.21	compare and explain the different rates of weathering, erosion and deposition on various materials.
	SC.O.5.2.22	analyze a topographical map to make inferences related to elevation and land features.
	SC.O.5.2.23	identify resources as being renewable or non-renewable.
	SC.O.5.2.24	explore and explain how fossils and geologic features can be used to determine the relative age of rocks and rock layers.
	SC.O.5.2.25	recognize that the Earth is made of plates (plate tectonics).

Grade 5		Science
Standard 3:		Application of Science
SC.S.5.3		Students will · explore the relationship between the parts and the whole system; construct a variety of useful models; examine changes that occur in an object or system. · demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence between science and technology. · demonstrate the ability to utilize technology to gather data and communicate designs, results and conclusions. · demonstrate the ability to evaluate the impact of different points of view on health, population, resource and environmental practices.
Performance Descriptors SC.PD.5.3
Distinguished			Above Mastery	Mastery	Partial Mastery	Novice
Fifth grade students at the distinguished level evaluate the role of parts that contribute to the functioning of a model; identify an innovation with the science that makes it possible; select and use the appropriate technology to collect scientific data; use multiple media sources to evaluate different points of view regarding health, population, resources and environmental practices.			Fifth grade students at the above mastery level analyze parts as they contribute to the functioning of a model; match an innovation with the science that makes it possible; identify and use the appropriate technology to collect scientific data; compare media sources to evaluate two different points of view regarding health, population, resources and environmental practices.	Fifth grade students at the mastery level compare the functioning of parts to the functioning of a model; report on a technological innovation; use the appropriate technology to collect scientific data; use two media sources to evaluate points of view regarding health, population, resources or environmental practices.	Fifth grade students at the partial mastery level explain the function of parts of a model; identify a technological innovation; use technology to collect scientific data; identify the point of view of a media source regarding health, population, resources or environmental practices.	Fifth grade students at the novice level identify the parts of a model; identify a technological innovation; use a technology to collect data; recognize that media sources have a point of view regarding health, population, resources or environmental practices.
	Objectives	Students will
	SC.O.5.3.01	explore the relationship between the parts of a system to the whole system.
	SC.O.5.3.02	construct a variety of useful models of an object, event, or process.
	SC.O.5.3.03	compare and contrast changes that occur in an object or a system to its original state.
	SC.O.5.3.04	compare and contrast the influence that a variation in scale will have on the way an object or system works. (e.g., cooling rates of different-sized containers of water, strength of different-sized constructions from the same material, or flight characteristics of different-sized model airplanes).
	SC.O.5.3.05	research everyday applications and interactions of science and technology.
	SC.O.5.3.06	evaluate and critically analyze mass media reports of scientific developments and events.
	SC.O.5.3.07	explore the connections between science, technology, society and career opportunities.