Grade 5 Science
Year-at-a-Glance
QUARTER ONE
Unit 1: Investigating Matter, Force, Motion, and Energy
In this unit, students investigate the transmission of sound, light, and matter.
Students conduct investigations to explore various characteristics of matter such as mass,
volume, and the effect of temperature changes on the three basic phases of matter in
order to understand matter and how it behaves. Throughout this unit students use tools
such as metric rulers, balances, thermometers, and graduated cylinders.
Standards of Learning:
SCI.5.2
SCI.5.3
SCI.5.4
SCI.5.1
Suggested Time Frame:
6-8 Weeks
Students explore how sound is transmitted, exploring compression waves, frequency,
waves, wavelength, and vibration. Students also explore the characteristics of visible
light, the tools that aid in the production of light, and how we use light in our daily lives.
QUARTER TWO
Unit 2: Exploring Earth and Space Systems
In this unit, students investigate the ocean environment and the constant changing nature
of Earth’s surface.
Students explore the major descriptive characteristics of oceans including geological
characteristics of the ocean floor, the physical characteristics of ocean water, and the
ecological characteristics of communities of marine organisms.
QUARTER THREE
Suggested Time Frame:
6-8 Weeks
Students also investigate changes on the Earth’s crust including the rock cycle, the
formation of fossils, tectonic plate movement, earthquakes and volcanoes, weathering
and erosion, and human interaction that cause changes on the Earth’s surface.
Unit 3: Investigating Life Science
In this unit, students conduct investigation to understand the structure of living organisms.
These investigations focus in understanding that living organisms are made of one or
more cells and have distinguishing characteristics that play a vital role in the organism’s
ability to survive and thrive in its environment. Throughout this unit students use
microscopes to study plants, animals, and cells.
Unit 4: Exploring STEM Projects/Grade 4 Review
QUARTER FOUR
Standards of Learning:
SCI.5.6
SCI.5.7
SCI.5.1
SCI.4.9
In this unit, students will conduct an engineering investigation. Students select a question
or a problem to investigate, develop models and visual representations, plan and carry
out investigations, analyze and interpret data, use mathematical reasoning, use
evidence to engage in and support arguments and communicate their procedures and
results.
Standards of Learning:
SCI.5.5
SCI.5.1
SCI.4.4
SCI.4.5
SCI.4.9
Suggested Time Frame:
6-8 Weeks
Standards of Learning:
SCI.5.1
SCI.4.2
SCI.4.3
SCI.4.4
SCI.4.5
SCI.4.6
SCI.4.7
SCI.4.8
Suggested Time Frame:
6-8 Weeks