Science

Science
In 3rd grade we will have 3 different science units that are each 8-10 weeks long.  All of Washington's science units (at the elementary levels) are from FOSS and come in kits that are shipped to us from Grant Wood AEA.  There are no science textbooks.  Each kit contains hands-on activities that really interest the students in science.  All students in 3rd grade will have a science notebook that they use to record their observations, ideas, and learning.  The FOSS curriculum is designed so that each grade level covers one earth science topic, one physical science topic, and one life science topic.  The 3rd grade science units are as follows:
  • Structures of Life (Life Science)
  • Water (Earth Science)
  • Motion and Matter (Physical Science)

Structures of Life
Our first science unit is perhaps the most exciting, and explores structures of life in plants, animals, and humans.  Following are the lessons in this kit:
  • Investigation 1: Origin of Seeds (4 lessons):  Students will search for seeds in a variety of fruits and record the properties of the seeds they find (size, shape, color, etc).  Next they will work in groups and will be given 4 types of seeds.  We will add water to the seeds daily and observe what happens over a 1-week period.  Students will record the changes in their seeds as they begin to germinate (sprout).  While they are making these observations, students will compare a dry lima bean seed to a soaked lima bean seed.  They will open the soaked seeds to learn about the structures inside a seed.  Finally, students will learn how and why seeds disperse away from the parent plant.
  • Investigation 2: Growing Further (3 lessons):  This investigation will take place over 8 weeks as the students grow bush bean seedlings hydroponically (in containers of water).  We will track the full life cycle of the plant as we observe the structures: from seed, to seedling, to plant, to flower, to fruit (beans), and to seed again.  Students will also go outdoors to explore the roots of different outdoor plants.
  • Investigation 3: Meet the Crayfish (5 lessons):  This is the most exciting time of the entire 3rd grade school year--when the crayfish arrive!!!  We get about 12 live crayfish and keep them in 3 large containers of water for our investigations.  Students will investigate the structures of a crayfish, the behaviors it exhibits, and what adaptations the crayfish have for survival in their environment.  We will observe crayfish territories in their containers.  We will then talk about adaptations of other animals, and will go on to learn about food chains.  (Students are welcome to hold and care for the crayfish, but do not have to if they are not comfortable!)
  • Investigation 4: Human Body (4 lessons):  In this investigation we move to the most complex structures of life--the human body.  We will learn about bones, joints, and muscles.  We will even open owl pellets (regurgitated by owls--but sanitized!) to find the actual rodent bones inside.  We will compare these bones to what we know about human bones.  We will do one lesson about fingerprints as well. 

Water and Climate
Our second science kit explores an amazing earth material--water!  There is so much to learn about water because it is everywhere, and in many different forms.  Students will also learn about weather and climate in this unit.  Following are the lessons in our water kit:
  • Investigation 1: Water Observations (4 lessons):  Students explore what happens when water is dropped onto different surfaces.  They learn about a special property of water called surface tension.  They investigate water on a slope, and even go outdoors to experiment with water in nature.
  • Investigation 2: Hot Water, Cold Water (4 lessons):  Students investigate the special properties of hot water and cold water by building thermometers.  They explore how density relates to hot and cold water.  Students learn what happens when water gets VERY cold by experimenting with ice.
  • Investigation 3: Weather and Water (5 lessons):  In this investigation students will learn about evaporation and condensation.  They will explore how temperature and surface area affect evaporation, and will make condensation chambers in the classroom. 
  • Investigation 4: Seasons and Climate (3 lessons): Students learn about typical weather conditions in our region, how we describe different climates, and how people deal with natural hazards such as floods.
  • Investigation 5: Waterworks (3 lessons):  Students will observe what happens when water is mixed with earth materials (sand and soil).  They will also build their own waterwheels.

Motion and Matter
Our final science kit explores forces, motion, and mixtures.  Following are the lessons in this kit:
  • Investigation 1: Forces (3 lessons):  Students explore magnetic force and learn about gravity.  They learn that the magnetic field gets larger when more magnets are added.  We will study balanced and unbalanced forces.
  • Investigation 2: Patterns of Motion (4 lessons):  Students explore patterns of motion by making and flying twirly birds, experimenting with rolling cups, wheel-and-axle systems, and by designing tops.
  • Investigation 3: Engineering (4 lessons):  Students become engineers in this investigation by building carts that can roll down a ramp.  They figure out how to change their design to make their cart go farther, investigate how start position on a ramp can affect distance traveled, and even design their cart to make it do tricks involving magnets.
  • Investigation 4: Mixtures (3 lessons):  This investigation goes away from motion to learn more about matter.  Students will work together to see what happens when they mix materials together.  They will explore 4 different mixtures and a chemical reaction.  There is a large emphasis on metric units and measurement in this investigation.