Content Area
Standard
By the
end of
grade
P
Science
5. 4 Earth Systems Science: All students will understand that Earth operates as a set of complex, dynamic, and
interconnected systems, and is a part of the all-encompassing system of the universe.
E. Energy in the Earth Systems: Internal and external sources of energy drive Earth systems.
Strand
Content Statement
CPI#
Cumulative Progress Indicator (CPI)
ACSSSD
Objectives
Observations and investigations form the
basis for young learners’ understanding of
energy in Earth systems.
5.4.P.E.1
Explore the effects of sunlight on living
and nonliving things.
2
Plants need sunlight to grow.
5.4.2.E.1
Describe the relationship between the Sun
and plant growth.
4
Land, air, and water absorb the Sun’s
energy at different rates.
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.
a. Demonstrate an interest in
objects and organisms.
b. Demonstrate the ability to safely
explore/manipulate objects and
organisms.
c. Distinguish between living and
nonliving things.
d. List characteristics of the Sun.
e. Demonstrate the ability to
participate in a simple
experiment.
a. Define Sun, plant, grow and
relationship.
b. List the contributions the Sun
makes to Earth’s organisms.
c. Identify/list the things a plant
needs to grow.
a. Identify Earth materials: water,
soil and sand.
b. Distinguish between the Sun and
the shade.
c. Identify ways to measure the
temperature of an
object/organism.
d. Demonstrate the ability to read a
thermometer.
e. Demonstrate the ability to use
evidence to draw conclusions.
6
The Sun is the major source of energy for
circulating the atmosphere and oceans.
5.4.6.E.1
Generate a conclusion about energy
transfer and circulation by observing a
model of convection currents.
8
The Sun provides energy for plants to
grow and drives convection within the
atmosphere and oceans, producing winds,
ocean currents, and the water cycle.
5.4.8.E.1
Explain how energy from the Sun is
transformed or transferred in global wind
circulation, ocean circulation, and the
water cycle.
12
The Sun is the major external source of
energy for Earth’s global energy budget.
5.4.12.E.1
Model and explain the physical science
principles that account for the global
energy budget.
a. Identify the Sun, atmosphere and
ocean.
b. List characteristics of the Sun,
atmosphere and ocean.
c. Demonstrate the ability to collect
data/evidence during an
observation.
d. Demonstrate the ability to draw
conclusions from data/evidence.
e. Explain energy transfer and
circulation.
f. Explain how a convection current
works.
a. Identify the Sun, wind, ocean,
atmosphere, water and plant.
b. List characteristics of the Sun,
wind, ocean, atmosphere, water
and plants.
c. Explain how the Sun
produces/provides energy.
d. Explain the process of global
wind circulation.
e. Explain how ocean waters
circulate.
f. Explain the water cycle.
a. Explain how the Sun
produces/provides energy to the
Earth.
b. Demonstrate an understanding of
how a budget works/is balanced.
c. Demonstrate the ability to
construct a simple model.
d. List the physical science
principles related to Earth’s
energy budget.
e. Identify sources of incoming
energy to the Earth.
f. Identify ways energy is lost from
the Earth.
g. Explain why the energy flow into
and out of Earth’s entire
ecosystem should stay in balance.