Fifth Grade Science Pacing Guide
1st
Marking Period
Cumulative Review Tests will be given
throughout the year.
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and
Logic
SOL 5.1
 Choose appropriate measuring devices
 Collect data
 Make accurate measurements
 Make predictions and estimations
involving length, mass and volume
2nd Marking Period
Vertebrates and Invertebrates
SOL 5.5
 Name the six invertebrate groups and
be able to list distinguishing
characteristics of each group
 Name the five vertebrate groups and be
able to list distinguishing
characteristics of each group
The Structure of the Earth’s Interior
SOL 5.7
 Identify, label and give characteristics
of each layer of the Earth
 Describe the theory of plate tectonics
 Have an understanding of Earth’s
history based on fossil evidence
 Explain how and why weathering and
erosion occur
 Describe the human impact on
weathering and erosion
3rd Marking Period
Oceans
SOL 5.6
 Identify, appropriately label and
describe the geological characteristics
of the ocean (continental shelf, slope,
rise, etc.)
 Have an understanding of the physical
characteristics of the ocean (depth,
salinity, currents, etc.)
 Describe different ocean ecosystems
 Explain public policy decisions related
to the ocean environment (marine
organism population management,
pollution prevention, etc.)
Atoms and Elements
SOL 5.4
 Explain and apply concepts of matter
measurement (mass, volume and
density)
 Describe, illustrate and explain the
effect of temperature on the states of
matter
 Understand the organization of the
Periodic Table and use it to describe
various elements
 Have an understanding of key concepts
such as atoms, molecules, elements and
compounds
 Describe characteristics of the parts of
an atom (nucleus, proton, neutron,
electron)
 Distinguish between chemical and
physical properties and reactions
Parts of a Cell
SOL 5.5
 Distinguish between a plant and animal
cell
 List, define and label cell parts
The Rock Cycle
SOL 5.7
 Identify and give characteristics of the
three types of rocks
 Explain the process of the rock cycle
Five Kingdoms of Living Things
SOL 5.5
 Name and distinguish between the five
kingdoms of living things
 Give examples and list characteristics
of each kingdom
Minerals
SOL 5.7
 Use the Moh’s scale to determine
hardness of a rock or mineral
 Identify rocks and minerals using a
classification key
Vascular and Nonvascular Plants
SOL 5.5
 List characteristics of vascular and
nonvascular plants
 Give examples of each type of plant
 Identify and define xylem and phloem
Fifth Grade Science Pacing Guide
4th Marking Period
Compounds, Mixtures, and Solutions
SOL 5.4
 Describe the difference between a
mixture and a compound
 Give examples of mixtures
 Define “solution” and explain why a
solution is a type of mixture
 Give examples of ways to separate
mixtures
Sound
SOL 5.2
 Investigate and understand how sound
is transmitted and is used as a means of
communication
 Define, illustrate, label and give
examples of frequency, waves,
wavelength, resonance and vibration
 Describe the ability of different media
(solids, liquids, gases) to transmit
sound
 Explain how various communication
tools work (voice, Morse code, sonar,
animal sounds, musical instruments)
5th Marking Period
Light
SOL 5.3
 Investigate and understand basic
characteristics of white light
 List the parts of the visible spectrum,
being able to identify the colors with
the longest and shortest wavelengths
 Describe the key concepts of reflection,
refraction and diffraction
 Describe the key concepts of opaque,
transparent and translucent
 Identify and describe a variety of
optical tools (eyeglasses, lenses,
flashlight, camera, kaleidoscope,
binoculars, microscope, light boxes,
telescope, prism, spectroscope,
mirrors)
 List major historical contributions in
our understanding of light
SOL Review
 Review of individual 4th and 5th grade
SOLs
 Cumulative review of the year
 Post-Test Assessment

SOL Test
6th Marking Period
Curriculum Review
 Continue to review the 5th Grade
Science curriculum through the use of
games, experiments, websites, United
Streaming and literature studies