Third Grade Science
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Children will develop a process of inquiry, an understanding of
concepts and ideas, and knowledge of the investigative skills needed
to explore scientific topics and questions.
Children will set up experiments and investigations to collect data, observe
and record changes and responses, construct models to replicate natural
phenomena, and make predictions based on their observations and data
collected
These goals will be realized through the study of the following big ideas within
each strand:
1.
2.
Astronomy- Students will study the following concepts relating to the
structure of the universe:
 the connection of day and night and Earth’s rotation
 the connection of the year and Earth’s revolution
 the moon as Earth’s satellite and lunar motion
 the relative features of bodies within our solar system such as brightness,
size, and temperature
Simple Machines/Energy- Students will study the following concepts of
energy and motion as they apply to simple technology:
 the relationship between energy, force, change, and work
 simple machines and how they work.
 a rolling or moving machine and make modifications to it to make it go
faster or slower or a longer or shorter distance.
 friction and other variables that control the motion of a machine or toy
3. Oceans- Students will study ocean systems, components of oceans,
characteristics of organisms in the oceans, and how oceans change over
time:
 the topography of the ocean floor
 human impact on the oceans especially in NJ
 the ecological system of an ocean
 the important role of micro-organisms in the ocean food chain
 the unique characteristics and adaptations of organisms that allow them to
live successfully in their environment.