3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
Earth Systems
3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system.
3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar system that includes the sun (a star), planets, and many moons and the earth is the third
planet from the sun in our solar system.
Resources:
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Delta Kit/Readers Solar System Activity 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 12
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Purple Harcourt Science Text Pgs. D54-D65, D82-D89
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Website - http://starchild.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/StarChild/solar_system_level1/solar_system.html
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Smart Exchange - "Constellations"
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Thinking maps: Tree map (Characteristics of Planets), Bubble map- (Describe Earth's characteristics)
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Literature Connection – Red and Yellow Harcourt series Armadillo From Amarillo, Coyote Places the Stars
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Learn 360 – "Video quiz: The Stars 19 mins.", "Video Quiz: Our Solar System (29min.)"
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Integrate myths from different cultures
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Create a solar system/constellation model and write how it came to be
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Differentiated Solar System project (Amanda will send Linda a link)
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Website with interactive video conferencing- dln.nasa.gov/ (register as teacher, see Linda Yoder for set-up info.)
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Literature Connection- Star Gazers by Gail Gibbons
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Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Series: Darkness at Night (V2-p171), Shadow Size (K-2V1-p79), What Lights up the Moon? (K-2V1-p109), Where
Do Stars Go? (V3-p191)
Suggested Teaching Sequence: 1) Introduce Earth/Moon/Sun 2) planets in our solar system 3) constellations 4) shadows (project on-going)
3.E.1.2 Recognize that changes in the length and direction of an object’s shadow indicate the apparent changing position of the Sun during the day although
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
the patterns of the stars in the sky, to include the Sun, stay the same.
Resources:
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Delta Kit – Activity B
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Purple Harcourt Science Text Pgs. D66-D73
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http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/SunMoonandStars/activities/pacificcoastsunsets.html
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http://www.chiddingstone.kent.sch.uk/homework/science/index.html
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Video – Learn 360-My shadow by Reading Rainbow 27 mins
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Smart Exchange – Sun position and shadows
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Purple reading series –Punxsutawney Phil poem
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Video -Learn 360 – Story of Punxsutawney Phil 10 mins.
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Integrated Activities – Measure length of shadows based on the position of light using the Sun or a flash light (Math)
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Flow Map- Illustrate the position of the Sun and shadow during different times of the day
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Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Series: Shadow Size (K-2V1-p79), Me and My Shadow (V3-p 185), When is My Shadow Longest (K-2V1-p105)
3.E.2 Compare the structures of the Earth’s surface using models or three-dimensional diagrams.
3.E.2.1 Compare Earth’s saltwater and freshwater features (including oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, and glaciers).
Resources:
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Purple Harcourt Science Text Pgs. D4 – D13
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Literature Connection – Where the Rive Begins
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Tree Map of different water features
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Smart Exchange – Bodies of Water, Identifying bodies of water
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
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Learn 360 – Geographical Terms Bodies of Water 7 min.
3.E.2.2 Compare Earth’s land features (including volcanoes, mountains, valleys, canyons, caverns, and islands) by using models, pictures, diagrams, and maps.
Resources
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Purple Harcourt Science Text Pgs. C30 – C37
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Green/Orange Social Studies Textbooks
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Landform Foss Investigation 4 & 5
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Delta Reader Pgs. 30 – 44
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Literature Connections: Red Harcourt – Rocking & Rolling (Journey of Wonder)
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www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/Homework/mountains/ranges.htm
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http://www.fossweb.com/modules3-6/Landforms/index.html
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Learn360 Video - Geographically Speaking
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Tree Map – of different landforms and geographic characteristics
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Multi-flow Map- Causes of landforms (Plate tectonics)
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Learn360 Video - Geographically Speaking
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Make a 3-D model of landforms (following a recipe for clay dough)
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
Structures and Functions of Living Organisms
3.L.1 Understand human body systems and how they are essential for life: protection, movement and support.
3.L.1.1 Compare the different functions of the skeletal and muscular system.
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Foss Reader – “Human Body”
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Foss Kit- Investigation 1: Bones
o Smart Exchange- 3rd Grade Science – Human Body
o Harcourt Science – R34 – R35
o Virtual owl pellets http://www.kidwings.com/owlpellets/flash/v4/index.htm
o Integrated Lesson – Following Instructions to make Edible Owl Pellets
Foss Kit- Investigation 2: Joints
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o
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Smart Exchange – How my Body Moves
Foss Kit- Investigation 3: Muscles
o
Harcourt Science – R 36 – R37
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Foss Kit- Investigation 4: Stimulus and Response (Part 1 only)
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Smart Exchange – Jeopardy Human Body
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Tree Map – Function of the Human Body: Bones, Joints, and Muscle
3.L.1.2 Explain why skin is necessary for protection and for the body to remain healthy.
Resources:
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Kids Health – How the Body Works http://kidshealth.org/kid/htbw/
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Make a “layers of skin” (Amanda will send a link and description)
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Brain Pop (need subscription – just search topic “joints”)
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Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 1 pg. 139 “Human Body Basics”
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AIMS Activity - Thumb Fun http://www.aimsedu.org/
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
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Smart Exchange – Your Senses – The Skin
Energy and Matter
Energy Transfer
3.P.3 Recognize how energy can be transferred from one object to another.
3.P.3.1 Recognize that energy can be transferred from one object to another by rubbing them against each other.
Resources:
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Purple Harcourt Science text book pp. F4 – F5, F6 - F11
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AIMS Activities “Heat from Friction” (free preview/$1 for lesson) www.aimsedu.org/item/da1238/heat-from-friction/1.html
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Smart Exchange – Friction, Friction Force
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Learn 360 – Save Energy: Baking (55 seconds)
3.P.3.2 Recognize that energy can be transferred from a warmer object to a cooler one by contact or at a distance and the cooler object gets warmer.
Resources:
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Purple Harcourt Science text book pp. F12 – F13, F14 - F17
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AIMS Activities “Energy Explorations: Sound, Light, Heat” (free preview/$2 for lesson) www.aimsedu.org/item/da1251/when-hot-and-coldmeet/1.html
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AIMS Activities “Snake Warmers” (free preview/$2 for lesson) www.aimsedu.org/item/da9678/snake-warmers/1.html
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AIMS ACTIVITIES “When Hot and Cold Meet” (free preview/$2 for lesson) www.aimsedu.org/item/da1251/when-hot-and-cold-meet/1.htmlAIMS
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AIMS Activities “Evening Out Temperatures” (free preview/$2 for lesson) www.aimsedu.org/item/da10130/evening-out-temperatures/1.html
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Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 3 “Thermometer” pg. 33-38
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Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 3 “Ice-Cold Lemonade” pgs. 78-82
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
Matter Properties and Change
3.P.2 Understand the structure and properties of matter before and after they undergo a change.
3.P.2.1 Recognize that air is a substance that surrounds us, takes up space and has mass.
Resources:

AIMS Activity - Jaw Breakers and Heart Thumpers - By Golly, By Gum Page 105 or search AIMS online - http://www.aimsedu.org/
Integrates measurement and graphing
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AIMS activity “Air Pockets”
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Purple Harcourt Science text pp. E24 – E25
3.P.2.2 Compare solids, liquids, and gases based on their basic properties.
Resources:
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AIMS activity – Oh, Dear What Can This Matter Be?
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Purple Harcourt Science text pp. E4 – E13
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Possible field trip to Catawba Science Center: “Matter Mania” (they will do this on-site as well)
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FOSS Solids and Liquids kit and readers (from 1st gr.): Investigation 2 (liquids)
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Delta - States of Matter: Activities 1, 2, 3 (from 2nd gr.)
3.P.2.3 Summarize changes that occur to the observable properties of materials when different degrees of heat are applied to them, such as melting ice
or ice cream, boiling water or an egg, or freezing water.
Resources:

AIMs activity “Melting An Ice Cube”
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AIMS activity “Evening Out Temperatures” (Also covers 3.P.3.2) (move to 3P32)
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
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Purple Harcourt Science text pp. E14 – E19
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Bill Nye – various matter videos
Force and Motion
3.P.1 Understand motion and factors that affect motion.
Resources:
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EE (Engineering is Elementary) kit: Marvelous Machines making work easier (lesson 3 determines force needed to move object)
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Various force and motion videos from Fossweb.com click on Motion, Force, and Models. Under “Streaming Videos”
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Purple Harcourt Science text Chapter 3
http://scnces.ncdpi.wikispaces.net/k-5+Science+Resources (Scroll to Grade 3 - Force, Speed and Gravity)
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Apple on a desk - Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 3 Pages 63-69 (Formative Assessment) (check in library or with principal for resource
book)
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Rolling Marbles - Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 3 Pages 71-76 (Formative Assessment) (check in library or with principal for resource
book)
See substitute white foam tube from first grade Foss kit - See also AIMS Coaster Construction
Literacy Resource - Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee and Roller Coaster! Motion and Acceleration by Paul Mason
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It's the Last Straw - AIMS Activity: Available for purchase http://www.aimsedu.org/
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Lesson found in Picture-Perfect Science Lessons - The Secrets of Flight - Pages 345 - 360
Literacy Resource - How People Learn to Fly by Fran Hodgkins, Animals in Flight by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page and Kids Paper Airplane by Ken
Blackburn and Jeff Lammers
(Check with school, workshop offered several years ago)
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Dropping Balls - Uncovering Students Ideas in Science Pages 78-82 This carries over to Essential Standard 3.P.2.1 (Space and Mass)
3.P.1.1 Infer changes in speed or direction resulting from forces acting on an object.
3.P.1.2 Compare the relative speeds (faster or slower) of objects that travel the same distance in different amounts of time.
3.P.1.3 Explain the effects of earth’s gravity on the motion of any object on or near the earth.
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
Literacy Resource - I Fall Down by Vicki Cobb and Floating in Space by Franklyn M. Branley
Ecosystems
Ecosystems
3.L.2 Understand how plants survive in their environments.
3.L.2.1 Remember the function of the following structures as it relates to the survival of plants in their environments:
-Roots – absorb nutrients
-Stems – provide support
- Leaves – synthesize food
- Flowers – attract pollinators and produce seeds for reproduction

Purple Harcourt Science book page A23
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BrainPop- “Photosynthesis”, “Pollination”, “Plant Growth”
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Smart Exchange- “Plant Parts”
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FOSS Structures of Living Organisms Kit: Investigating Seeds
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Is It a Plant- Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 2 page 93-99 (Formative Assessment) (check in library or with principal for resource book)
3.L.2.2 Explain how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive and grow.
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FOSS Structures of Living Organisms Kit: Plant Growth
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3rd Grade Science Pacing Guide Draft
2014-2015
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Suggested activity- Conduct controlled experiment using seeds and varying environmental conditions (sun, water, and soil)
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Is It Food For Plants- Uncovering Student Ideas Vol. 2 page 113-119 (Formative Assessment) (check in library or with principal for resource book)
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http://www2.bgfl.org/bgfl2/custom/resources_ftp/client_ftp/ks2/science/plants_pt2/index.htm (simulations about environmental factors that
affect plant growth)
3.L.2.3 Summarize the distinct stages of the life cycle of seed plants.

Purple Harcourt Science book page A17
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Smart Exchange- “Plant Life Cycle”
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Thinking Map- Flow map (Sequence stages of plant life cycle)
3.L.2.4 Explain how the basic properties (texture and capacity to hold water) and components sand, clay and humus) of soil determine the ability of soil to
support the growth and survival of many plants.
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Delta Soil Science Kit (hands-on activities lessons 7 and 8)
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