Essential Question for Grade Three: What Cycles do we Observe in the Natural World?
Unit 1 - How a Scientist Investigates Plant Cycles
Students will engage in the scientific process which includes observing, questioning, predicting, hypothesizing, conducting investigations, analyzing data and communicating their findings in a variety of ways. In unit 1, we will investigate the germination process of seeds. We will identify and examine the parts and functions of plants. Students will be able to summarize the life cycle of a typical plant.
Unit 3 - How a Scientist Investigates Water Cycles
In unit 3, we will explore how water changes states (i.e., solid, liquid and gas) from one form to another. We will study the relationship between temperature and the different states of water. Students will be able to study the water cycle to learn about evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Students will also explore the relationship of the water cycle to weather. They will observe and record data on the different types of clouds and their relationship to weather.
Unit 2 - How a Scientist Investigates Electricity
In unit 2, students will identify two forms of electricity as static electricity and current electricity. Students will construct, draw, identify and label simple circuits, series circuits and parallel circuits. They will also construct, observe and explore how switches control electrical flow (open and closed circuits). In addition, we will also observe, describe, draw and label a light bulb and its parts. Finally, we will investigate and identify conductors and non-conductors.
Unit 4 - How a Scientist Investigates Animal Cycles
In unit 4, we will study how the life cycles of animals are important for life on Earth to continue. We will investigate the life cycle of a butterfly, This will include identifying the different stages of its life cycle and the different body parts of an adult butterfly. Students will also observe, measure and record data for the caterpillar as it goes through its life cycle. They will investigate how butterflies interact with their environment. Lastly, we will explore the interdependence of humans and butterflies.