GTPS Curriculum – Science - Grade 3
Suggested Blocks of
Instruction
Grade 3 Science
6
weeks
Big Idea: The Earth Materials Module consists of four sequential investigations dealing
with observable characteristics of solid materials from the earth—rocks and minerals. The
focus is on taking materials apart to find what they are made of and putting materials
together to better understand their properties. The module introduces fundamental
concepts in earth science.
Topic: Earth’s Materials
Objectives/CPI’s/Standards Essential Questions/Enduring
Understandings
Learning
activities/Materials/Assessment
5.4.4.C.1 Create a model to
represent how soil is formed.
Learning Activities:
Hands on explorations
Inquiry–based lessons
Labs
Reading FOSS science stories
5.4.4.C.2 Categorize unknown
samples as either rocks or
minerals.
5.4.4.E.1 Develop a general set
of rules to predict temperature
changes of Earth materials,
such as water, soil, and sand,
when placed in the Sun and in
the shade.
Essential Questions
How do Earth Systems interact to create soil?
How do we use observable characteristics of
Earth materials to identify different parts of the
Earth System?
Which Earth materials change temperature the
most in the sun and shade?
Enduring Understandings
Soil is a product of the interactions of the Earth
Systems.
The Earth System includes a variety of materials
in solid, liquid and gaseous form.
Earth materials absorb and reflect the sun's
energy differently.
Materials:
FOSS
Investigation 1: Mock Rocks
Investigation 2: Scratch Test
Investigation 3: Calcite Quest
Take it for Granite
Web Site Resources:
http://www.fossweb.com/modules36/EarthMaterials/index.html
Assessments:
Formative
Teacher observation
Student sheets
Summative
End of module performance assessment
Portfolio assessment
GTPS Curriculum – Science - Grade 3
Suggested
Blocks of
Instruction
Grade 3 Science
4
weeks
Big Idea: Students measure weather conditions using kit tools and devices of their own making.
From their own data, students draw conclusions about connections among the weather factors.
They learn how and why today's factors reliably predict tomorrow's weather.
Objectives/CPI’s/Standards
Topic: Weather Instruments
Essential Questions/Enduring
Understandings
5.4.4.F.1 Identify patterns in data
collected from basic weather
instruments.
Essential Questions
How do changes in one part of an Earth system
affect other parts of the system?
5.4.4.G.1 Explain how clouds form.
What is the source of the resources used to meet
the basic needs of living organisms?
5.4.4.G.2 Observe daily cloud
patterns, types of precipitation, and
temperature, and categorize the
clouds by the conditions that form
precipitation.
5.4.4.G.3 Trace a path a drop of
water might follow through the
water cycle.
5.4.4.G.4 Model how the properties
of water can change as water moves
through the water cycle.
Enduring Understandings
Earth’s components form systems. These
systems continually interact at different rates of
time, affecting the Earth regionally and globally.
The Earth is a system, continuously moving
resources from one part of the system to another.
Learning Activities
Materials/Assessment
Learning Activities:
Hands on explorations
Inquiry–based lessons
Labs
Reading FOSS science stories
Materials:
Delta Kit
Air Temperature
Air Pressure
Barometric Changes
Wind Direction & Strength
Temperature Changes
Humidity
Clouds
Precipitation
Weather
Web Site Resources:
http://www.deltaeducation.com/downloads/sample
s_dsm/738-6022Res.pdf
Assessments:
Formative
Teacher observation
Student sheets
Summative
End of module performance assessment
Portfolio assessment
GTPS Curriculum – Science - Grade 3
Suggested Blocks of
Instruction
Grade 3 Science
5
weeks
Big Idea: Through outdoor observations made during the day and at night, active
simulations, readings, videos, and discussions, students study the Sun, Moon, and stars to
learn that these objects move in regular and predictable patterns that can be observed,
recorded, and analyzed.
Topic: Sun, Moon, & Stars
Objectives/CPI’s/Standards Essential Questions/Enduring
Understandings
Learning
activities/Materials/Assessment
5.4.4.A.1 Formulate a general
description of the daily motion of the
Sun across the sky based on shadow
observations. Explain how shadows
could be used to tell the time of day.
Learning Activities:
Hands on explorations
Inquiry–based lessons
Labs
Reading FOSS science stories
5.4.4.A.2 Identify patterns of the
Moon’s appearance and make
predictions about its future
appearance based observational data.
5.4.4.A.3 Generate a model with
explanatory value that explains both
why objects roll down ramps as well
as why the Moon orbits Earth.
5.4.4.A.4
Analyze and evaluate evidence in the
form of data tables and photographs
to categorize and relate solar system
objects (e.g., planets, dwarf planets,
moons, asteroids, and comets).
Essential Questions
What is the source of the resources used to meet
the basic needs of living organisms?
Enduring Understandings
The Earth is a system, continuously moving
resources from one part of the system to another.
Materials:
FOSS
Investigation 1: The Sun
Investigation 2: The Moon
Investigation 3: The Stars
Web Site Resources:
http://www.fossweb.com/modules36/SunMoonandStars/index.html
Assessments:
Formative
Teacher observation
Student sheets
Summative
End of module performance assessment
Portfolio assessment