Pk8 science curriculumstandards2011

Prekindergarten – Grade 8
Curriculum Standards
And Assessment Expectations

SCIENCE

2010 EDITION

Introduction
The 2010 edition of Prekindergarten-Grade 8 Science Curriculum Standards is a resource that adds detail to the content and inquiry standards in the
2004 Core Science Curriculum Framework. It includes Grade-Level Concepts (GLCs), Grade-Level Expectations (GLEs) and Key Concept Words
that provide clear guidelines for developing curriculum and planning instructional activities.
GLCs describe what students should know in order to understand the broad idea expressed by each Framework content standard. They define the
conceptual boundaries of the learning unit, identifying subconcepts that should be included and those that can be excluded. GLCs are organized in a
suggested learning sequence that can be used as a unit pacing guide. Each GLC is typically the focus of one to three class sessions. The Key Concept
Words highlight the “science talk” that students and teachers should use fluently in oral and written discourse about their learning. Many of the
GLCs are assessed on the science portion of the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT).
GLEs are examples of what students should be able to do to demonstrate their understanding of science concepts. They are measurable learner
outcomes that can provide evidence of learning that is richer than merely memorized facts or terminology. The GLEs reflect a range of performances
for all students, including outcomes such as describing, explaining, comparing, summarizing, evaluating and creating. Some scientific inquiry
expected performances have been integrated within GLEs as examples of how students use scientific inquiry, literacy and numeracy practices to
understand science content. Teachers have flexibility to modify, prioritize and enhance GLEs to reflect their curriculum and their students’ learning
needs. GLEs can be useful for establishing measurable unit outcomes, designing learning activities, developing common formative and summative
assessments, or for documenting and reporting student progress. While some of the GLE outcomes are assessed on the Science CMT, most are
intended as school-based assessment opportunities.
The Expected Performances in the 2004 science framework continue to be the basis for developing questions for the science CMT. However, these
Expected Performances represent only the selected content that could be assessed on this state test that covers multiple years of science learning.
Narrowing the curriculum to include only those concepts that are tested on the CMT is likely to limit students’ abilities to make sense of science and
retain what they learn. A coherent curriculum that aligns instruction with the content outlined in GLCs, GLEs and Key Concept Words will provide
students with opportunities to achieve the broader goals of scientific literacy and preparation for advanced study as well as high achievement on state
assessments.
Connecticut science educators, RESC science specialists and university scientists contributed to the development of the GLCs and GLEs. The
Leadership and Learning Center (formerly the Center for Performance Assessment) reviewed the curriculum standards and GLEs for science.
Recommendations were made and are reflected in this document. The following is a summary of the center’s comparative analysis of the Connecticut
Prekindergarten-Grade 8 Science Curriculum Standards:
“The [Connecticut Prekindergarten-Grade 8 Science Curriculum Standards] present the science content and inquiry abilities that
students need in order to be science literate. The Curriculum Standards are comparable to the National Science Education Standards

Connecticut State Department of Education 2010 — Bureau of Teaching and Learning 2

(National Research Council, 1996) and the Benchmarks for Science Literacy (AAAS, 1993), as well as to the science standards of two
states (South Carolina and California) whose standards have been identified by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute’s State of the State
Science Standards 2005 as being exemplary.”
Prekindergarten-Grade 8 Science Curriculum Standards is intended to raise interest and achievement in science in all Connecticut schools by
supporting local curriculum development, selection of instructional materials, design of content-rich professional development, and instructional
methods aligned with Connecticut’s 2004 Core Science Curriculum Framework.


Scientific knowledge is created and communicated through students’ use of the following skills. All of the
inquiry skills described below should be utilized by PK-2 students as they learn the content described by each
Content Standard on the pages that follow.

Grades PreK-2 Core Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy
How is scientific knowledge created and communicated?
Expected Performances
A INQ.1 Make observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment.
A INQ.2 Use senses and simple measuring tools to collect data.
A INQ.3 Make predictions based on observed patterns.
A INQ.4 Read, write, listen and speak about observations of the natural world.
A INQ.5 Seek information in books, magazines and pictures.
A INQ.6 Present information in words and drawings.
A INQ.7 Use standard tools to measure and describe physical properties such as weight, length and
temperature.
A INQ.8 Use nonstandard measures to estimate and compare the sizes of objects.
A INQ.9 Count, order and sort objects by their properties.
A INQ.10 Represent information in bar graphs.


Properties of Matter — How does the structure of matter affect the properties and uses of materials?
PREKINDERGARTEN

PK.1 - Objects have properties that can be observed and used to describe similarities and differences

Core Science Grade-Level Expectations Preschool
Curriculum Preschool Curriculum Framework Assessment
Framework Students should be able to: Framework
PK.1.a. Some
Cognitive Development: Logical- COG 1 Engages
properties can be 1. Use senses to make observations of objects and
Mathematical/Scientific Thinking - in scientific
observed with the materials within the child’s immediate environment.
inquiry
senses, and others can 1. Ask questions about and comment
be discovered by using on observations and 2. Use simple tools (e.g., balances and magnifiers) and COG 3 Sorts
simple tools or tests. experimentation; nonstandard measurement units to observe and compare objects
properties of objects and materials.
2. Collect, describe and record COG 5 Compares
information; 3. Make comments or express curiosity about observed and orders objects
3. Use equipment for investigation; phenomena (e.g., “I notice that…” or “I wonder if…”). and events
COG 6 Relates
4. Use common instruments to 4. Count, order and sort objects (e.g. blocks, crayons, number to quantity
measure things; toys) based on one visible property (e.g., color, shape,
5. Demonstrate understanding of one- size).
to-one correspondence while
counting; 5. Conduct simple tests to determine if objects roll, slide
or bounce.
6. Order several objects on the basis
of one attribute;
7. Sort objects by one or more
attributes and regroup the objects
based on a new attribute;
8. Engage in a scientific experiment
with a peer or with a small group.


Heredity and Evolution — What processes are responsible for life’s unity and diversity?
PREKINDERGARTEN

PK.2 — Many different kinds of living things inhabit the earth.


PK.2.a. Living things Cognitive Development: Logical- 1. Use the senses and simple tools to make COG 1 Engages
have certain Mathematical/Scientific Thinking observations of characteristics and behaviors in scientific
characteristics that of living and nonliving things. inquiry
1. Ask questions about and comment on
distinguish them from observations and experimentation; 2. Give examples of living things and nonliving COG 3 Sorts
nonliving things, things. objects
including growth, 2. Collect, describe and record information;
movement, 3. Make observations and distinguish between COG 5 Compares
3. Sort objects by one or more attributes and
reproduction and the characteristics of plants and animals. and orders objects
regroup the objects based on a new attribute;
response to stimuli. and events
4. Compare attributes of self, family members or
4. Compare and contrast objects and events.
classmates, and describe how they are similar P&S9
Personal and Social Development and different. Recognizes
1. Identify themselves by family and gender. similarities and
appreciates
2. State at least two ways in which children are differences
similar and two ways in which they are
different.


Energy in the earth’s Systems — How do external and internal sources of energy affect the earth’s systems?
PREKINDERGARTEN

PK.3 — Weather conditions vary daily and seasonally.


PK.3.a. Daily and Cognitive Development: Logical- 1. Use the senses to observe and describe COG 1 Engages
seasonal weather Mathematical/Scientific Thinking evidence of current or recent weather in scientific
conditions affect what conditions (e.g., flags blowing, frost on inquiry
we do, what we wear window, puddles after rain, etc.)
observations and experimentation; PHY 3 Cares for
and how we feel. 2. Notice weather conditions and use words and self independently
2. Collect, describe and record information;
numbers to describe and analyze conditions
3. Demonstrate an understanding of sequence over time (e.g., “it rained 5 times this month”.)
of events and time periods;
3. Identify the season that corresponds with
4. Make and verify predictions about what observable conditions (e.g., falling leaves,
will occur. snow vs. rain, buds on trees or greener grass).
Personal and Social Development 4. Make judgments about appropriate clothing
1. Use self-help skills and activities based on weather conditions.


Science and Technology in Society — How do science and technology affect the quality of our lives?
PREKINDERGARTEN

PK.4 — Some objects are natural, while others have been designed and made by people to improve the quality of life.


PK.4.a. Humans select Cognitive Development: Logical- 1. Observe, describe and sort building materials by P & S 1 Shows
materials with which Mathematical/Scientific Thinking properties such as strength, weight, stiffness or self-direction with
to build structures flexibility. a range of
based on the properties materials
observations and experimentation; 2. Pose questions and conduct simple tests to
of the materials. compare the effectiveness of different building COG 1 Engages
2. Sort objects by one or more attributes and
materials (e.g., blocks of wood, plastic, foam or in scientific
regroup the objects based on a new attribute;
cardboard) for constructing towers, bridges and inquiry
3. Make and verify predictions about what will buildings. COG 2 Uses a
occur;
3. Make judgments about the best building variety of
4. Engage in a scientific experiment with a materials to use for different purposes (e.g., strategies to solve
peer or with a small group; making the tallest tower or the longest bridge). problems
Personal and Social Development 4. Invent and explain techniques for stabilizing a COG 3 Sorts
1. Demonstrate the ability to use a minimum of structure. objects
two different strategies to attempt to solve a 5. Compare block structures to pictures and to real COG 7
problem; structures in the neighborhood. Demonstrates
Creative Expression/Aesthetic Development spatial awareness

1. Use a variety of art materials and activities CRE 1 Builds
for sensory experience and exploration. and constructs to
represent own
ideas


KINDERGARTEN

K.1 - Objects have properties that can be observed and used to describe similarities and differences

Core Science Grade-Level Expectations
Grade-Level Concepts
Curriculum Assessment
Framework Students should understand that ... Students should be able to…

K.1.a. Some 1. Humans have five senses that they use to observe their environment. A 1. Match each of the five senses A1. Use the
properties can specific sense organ is associated with each sense. with its associated body part senses and
be observed and the kind of information it simple
2. Objects have properties that can be observed using the senses. Examples
with the perceives. measuring
include size, weight, shape, color, texture, transparency, etc. An object’s
senses, and observable properties do not include the object’s name or its uses. 2. Make scientific observations tools, such as
others can be rulers and
using the senses, and
discovered by 3. Sorting objects into groups based on one (or more) of their properties equal-arm
distinguish between an
using simple makes it possible to observe and describe their similarities and
object’s observable properties balances, to
tools or tests. differences. observe
and its name or its uses.
4. Placing objects in order based on their size or weight makes it possible to common
3. Classify organisms or objects objects and
observe patterns and describe relationships among the objects in a group.
by one and two observable sort them into
5. Objects can be described and sorted based on the materials from which properties and explain the groups based
they are made (for example, wood, paper, fabric, plastic, glass or metal). rule used for sorting (e.g., on size,
Objects can be made of a mixture of materials. size, color, shape, texture or weight, shape
6. Objects can be described and sorted based on the results of simple tests. flexibility). or color.
Simple tests include actions such as bending, squeezing, holding it near a 4. Use simple tools and
magnet or putting it in water. Objects can be described as nonstandard units to estimate
magnetic/nonmagnetic, flexible/not flexible, hard/soft, a floater/sinker, A2. Sort
or predict properties such as
etc. objects made
size, heaviness, magnetic
of materials
7. The heaviness of objects can be compared using the sense of touch. attraction and float/sink.
such as wood,
Balances and scales are measurement tools that allow people to observe 5. Describe properties of paper and
and compare the heaviness of objects more accurately. materials such as wood, metal into
8. The temperature of the air, water or bodies can be compared using the plastic, metal, cloth or paper, groups based
sense of touch. A thermometer is a measurement tool that allows people and sort objects by the material on properties
to compare temperatures more accurately. from which they are made. such as


6. Count, order and sort objects flexibility,
9. Objects can be sorted into groups based on measurements of their size.
by their observable attraction to
Nonstandard units for measuring size include hands, footsteps, pennies or
properties. magnets, and
paper clips.
whether they
float or sink in
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: senses, observe, observation, property, sort, water.
classify, material, float, sink, flexible, heavy, magnetic, nonmagnetic,
thermometer A3. Count
objects in a
group and use
mathematical
terms to
describe
quantitative
relationships
such as: same
as, more than,
less than,
equal, etc.


KINDERGARTEN

K.2 — Many different kinds of living things inhabit the earth.

Core Science Grade-Level Concepts Grade-Level Expectations
Framework Students should understand that… Students should be able to…

K.2.a. Living 1. Things in our environment can be classified based on whether they are 1. Observe and describe A4. Describe
things have alive, were once alive or whether they were never alive. differences between living the similarities
certain and nonliving things in terms and differences
2. Growing, responding to stimuli, and breathing are characteristics of
characteristics of growth, offspring and need in the
many living things. Many living things move, but movement alone is
that distinguish for energy from “food.” appearance and
not evidence of life. For example, cars and the wind both move, but
them from behaviors of
they are not alive. 2. Sort, count, and classify
nonliving plants, birds,
living and nonliving things in
things, 3. Reproduction is a characteristic of living things. Living things can be fish, insects and
the classroom, the schoolyard
including classified into groups based on the different ways they reproduce. For mammals
and in pictures.
growth, example, some living things lay eggs, while others produce seeds or give (including
movement, birth. 3. Use nonstandard measures to humans).
reproduction estimate and compare the
4. Living things can be classified as plants or animals. Plants have
and response to height, length or weight of A.5 Describe
characteristics (such as roots, stems, leaves and flowers) that animals do
stimuli. different kinds of plants and the similarities
not have. Animals have characteristics (such as body parts and body
animals. and differences
coverings) that plants do not have.
4. Observe and write, speak or in the
5. Animals can be classified into groups based on generally similar appearance and
draw about similarities and
characteristics such as number of legs, type of body covering, or way of behaviors of
differences between plants
moving. Some animal groups are reptiles, insects, birds, fish and adults and their
and animals.
mammals. offspring.
5. Match pictures or models of
6. Offspring generally resemble their parents but are not identical to them.
adults with their offspring A6. Describe
7. Members of the same group of animals can look and act very differently (animals and plants). characteristics
from each other. For example, goldfish and sharks are both fish, but that distinguish
6. Classify varied individuals of
there are distinct differences in their size, color and lifestyle. In living from
the same species by one and
addition, all goldfish are not identical to each other and neither are all nonliving
two attributes (e.g., rabbits or
sharks. things.
cats with different fur colors;
8. Plants can be classified into groups based on similarities in the rabbits or dogs with upright

appearance of their leaves, stems, blossoms or fruits. Some plant groups or floppy ears, etc.).
are grasses, vegetables, flowering plants and trees.
9. Members of the same group of plants can look and act very differently
from each other. For example, although oaks and palms are both trees,
their size, shape, leaves and growth habits are very different. In
addition, all oak trees are not identical to each other and neither are all
palms.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: classify, reproduce, offspring, characteristics,
reptile, insect, mammal


Energy in the earth's systems — How do external and internal sources of energy affect the earth's systems?
KINDERGARTEN

K.3 — Weather conditions vary daily and seasonally.


K.3.a. Daily 1. The sun is the source of heat and light that warms the land, air and water. 1. Use the senses to observe A7. Describe
and seasonal Variations in the amount of sunlight that reaches the earth cause the daily weather conditions and and record
weather weather. record data systematically daily weather
conditions using organizers such as conditions.
2. Weather conditions can be observed and described as sunny, cloudy,
affect what we tables, charts, picture graphs
rainy, foggy, snowy, stormy, windy, hot or cold. Weather observations A8. Relate
do, what we or calendars.
can be made based on how we feel, what we see or hear, or by using seasonal
wear and how weather measurement instruments such as thermometers. 2. Analyze weather data weather
we feel. collected over time (during patterns to
3. Changes in weather conditions can be recorded during different times of
the day, from day to day, and appropriate
day, from day to day, and over longer periods of time (seasonal cycle).
from season to season) to choices of
Repeated observations can show patterns that can be used to predict
identify patterns and make clothing and
general weather conditions. For example, temperatures are generally
comparisons and predictions. activities.
cooler at night than during the day and colder in winter than in spring,
summer or fall. 3. Observe, compare and
contrast cloud shapes, sizes
4. Weather influences how we dress, how we feel, and what we do
and colors, and relate the
outside.
appearance of clouds to fair
5. Weather affects the land, animals and plants, and bodies of water. weather or precipitation.
6. When the temperature is below “freezing,” water outside freezes to ice 4. Write, speak or draw ways
and precipitation falls as snow or ice; when the temperature is above that weather influences
freezing, ice and snow melt and precipitation falls as rain. humans, other animals and
7. Clouds and fog are made of tiny drops of water. Clouds have different plants.
shapes, sizes and colors that can be observed and compared. Some 5. Make judgments about
cloud types are associated with precipitation and some with fair appropriate clothing and
weather. activities based on weather
8. Wind is moving air. Sometimes air moves fast and sometimes it hardly conditions.


moves at all. Wind speed can be estimated by observing the things that
it moves, such as flags, tree branches or sailboats.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: weather, season (winter, spring, summer,
fall), thermometer, precipitation, freeze, melt


KINDERGARTEN

K.4 — Some objects are natural, while others have been designed and made by people to improve the quality of life.
This content standard is an application of the concepts in content standard K.1 and should be integrated into the same learning unit.


K.4.a. Humans 1. People need shelters to keep warm or cool, dry and safe. Shelters are 1. Conduct simple tests to A9. Describe
select both made of materials whose properties make them useful for different compare the properties of the types of
natural and purposes. different materials and their materials used
man-made 2. People in different regions of the world build different kinds of shelters, usefulness for making roofs, by people to
materials to depending on the materials available to them, the local climate and their windows, walls or floors (e.g., build houses
build shelters customs. waterproof, transparent, and the
based on local 3. Traditionally, people have built shelters using materials that they find strong). properties that
climate nearby. Today, people build houses from materials that may come from make the
2. Seek information in books,
conditions, far away. materials
magazines and pictures that
properties of useful.
a. People who live in forested regions have traditionally built shelters describes materials used to
the materials,
using wood and/or leaves from nearby trees. build shelters by people in
and their different regions of the world.
availability in b. People who live in regions with clay soils have traditionally built
the shelters using bricks or adobe made from clay. 3. Compare and contrast the
environment. materials used by humans and
c. People who live in snowy regions have traditionally built shelters animals to build shelters.
using snow and ice.
d. People who live in regions with large animals have traditionally
built shelters using animal skins.
4. Although they may look quite different, most shelters have walls, roofs
and an entrance/exit; some shelters have doors, windows and floors.
Walls, roofs and windows are made of materials that have specific
properties. For example, walls require materials that are rigid, windows
require materials that are transparent, and roofs require materials that are

water-resistant.
5. Animals build shelters using materials that are easily available to them.
The materials they use have properties that help the animals stay warm
or cool, dry and safe.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: shelter, rigid, transparent


Forces and Motion — What makes objects move the way they do?
GRADE 1

1.1 — The sun appears to move across the sky in the same way every day, but its path changes gradually over the seasons.

Core Science Grade-Level Concepts Grade-Level Expectations

1.1.a. An GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 1.1.a. 1. Compare and contrast the A10. Describe
object’s relative positions of objects how the motion
position can be 1. An object’s relative position can be described by comparing it to the using words (in front of, of objects can
described by position of another stationary object. One object can be in front of, behind, next to, inside of, be changed by
locating it behind, next to, inside of, above or below another object. above or below) and numbers pushing and
relative to 2. The sun’s position in the daytime sky can be described relative to (by measuring its distance pulling.
another object stationary objects on Earth. For example, the sun can be “just above the from another object).
or the treetops,” “high or low in the sky,” or “on the other side of the school.” 2. Apply direct and indirect
background. A11. Describe
3. The description of an object’s position from one observer’s point of pushes and pulls to cause the apparent
view may be different from that reported from a different observer’s objects to move (change movement of
viewpoint. For example, a box of crayons between two students is near position) in different ways
1.1.b. An the sun across
object’s motion Susan’s left hand but near John’s right hand. (e.g., straight line, forward and the sky and the
backward, zigzag, in a circle).
can be 4. When an observer changes position, different words may be needed to changes in the
described by describe an object’s position. For example, when I am sitting on the 3. Classify objects by the way length and
tracing and bench the sun is “behind” me; when I move to the slide, the sun is “in they move (e.g., spinning, direction of
measuring its front of” me. rolling, bouncing). shadows during
position over the day.
5. The same object when viewed from close up appears larger than it does 4. Conduct simple experiments
time.
when viewed from far away (although the actual size of the object does and evaluate different ways to
not change.) For example, a beach ball held in one’s arms appears change the speed and direction
larger than it does when viewed from across the playground. of an object’s motion.
6. An object’s position can be described using words (“near the door”), 5. Observe, record and predict
numbers (10 centimeters away from the door) or labeled diagrams. the sun’s position at different
times of day (morning, noon,
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 1.1.b. afternoon or night).
1. Things move in many ways, such as spinning, rolling, sliding, bouncing, 6. Conduct simple investigations
flying or sailing.

of shadows and analyze how
2. Motion can be caused by a push or a pull. A push or pull is called a
shadows change as the relative
force. Pushes and pulls can start motion, stop motion, speed it up, slow
position of the sun (or an
it down or change its direction.
artificial light source) changes.
3. An object is in motion when its position is changing. Because the sun’s
position changes relative to objects on Earth throughout the day, it
appears to be moving across the sky.
4. Changes in the sun’s position throughout the day can be measured by
observing changes in shadows outdoors.
5. Shadows occur when light is blocked by an object. An object’s shadow
appears opposite the light source. Shadow lengths depend on the
position of the light source.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: position, motion, shadow, push, pull, force


Structure and Function — How are organisms structured to ensure efficiency and survival?
GRADE 1

1.2 — Living things have different structures and behaviors that allow them to meet their basic needs.


1.2.a. Animals GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 1.2.a. 1. Infer from direct observation A12. Describe
need air, water and print or electronic the different
and food to 1. All living things (organisms) need air, water and food to stay alive and information that most ways that
survive. grow; they meet these needs in different ways. animals and plants need animals,
2. Most animals move from place to place to find food and water. Some water, food and air to stay including
animals have two legs, four legs, six legs or more for moving. Other alive. humans,
1.2.b. Plants animals move using fins, wings or by slithering. obtain water
2. Identify structures and
need air, water
3. Animals get air in different ways. For example, humans breathe with behaviors used by mammals, and food.
and sunlight to
lungs, while fish breathe with gills. birds, amphibians, reptiles,
survive.
fish and insects to move
4. Animals get food in different ways. Some animals eat parts of plants A13. Describe
around, breathe and obtain
and others catch and eat other animals. the different
food and water (e.g., structures
5. Animals get water in different ways. Some animals have special body legs/wings/fins, gills/lungs, plants have for
parts, such as noses, tongues or beaks that help them get water. claws/fingers, etc.) obtaining
6. Fictional animals and plants can have structures and behaviors that are 3. Sort and classify plants (or water and
different than real animals and plants. plant parts) by observable sunlight.
characteristics (e.g., leaf
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 1.2.b. shape/size, stem or trunk
1. Plants absorb sunlight and air through their leaves and water through covering, flower or fruit). A14. Describe
their roots. the structures
4. Use senses and simple that animals,
2. Plants use sunlight to make food from the air and water they absorb. measuring tools to measure including
the effects of water and humans, use to
3. Plants have various leaf shapes and sizes that help them absorb sunlight
sunlight on plant growth.
and air. move around.
5. Compare and contrast
4. Plant roots grow toward a source of water.
information about animals
5. Plant stems grow toward sunlight. and plants found in fiction

and nonfiction sources.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: organism, plant, animal, energy, breathe, lungs,
gills, absorb


GRADE 1

1.3 — Organisms change in form and behavior as part of their life cycles.

Core Science
Grade-Level Concepts Grade-Level Expectations

1.3.a. Some 1. Plants and animals have life cycles that include a predictable 1. Explain that living things A15. Describe
organisms sequence of stages: they begin life, develop into adults, reproduce experience a life cycle that the changes in
undergo and eventually die. includes birth, growth, organisms,
metamorphosis reproduction and death. such as frogs
2. Plants and animals produce offspring of their own kind. Offspring
during their life and butterflies,
closely resemble their parents, but individuals vary in appearance 2. Distinguish between animals
cycles; other as they undergo
and behavior. that are born alive (e.g.,
organisms metamorphosis.
humans, dogs, cows) and
grow and 3. Animals are either born alive (for example, humans, dogs and cows)
those that hatch from eggs
change, but or hatched from eggs (for example, chickens, sea turtles or
(e.g., chickens, sea turtles,
their basic crocodiles). A16. Describe
crocodiles).
form stays the life cycles
4. Animals change during their life cycle. Many animals begin life as
essentially the 3. Compare and contrast the of organisms
smaller, less capable forms of the adult. As they develop, they grow
same. changes in structure and that grow but
larger and become more independent (for example, humans, dogs or
behavior that occur during the do not
robins).
life cycles of animals that metamorphose.
5. Some animals change dramatically in structure and function during undergo metamorphosis with
their life cycle in a process called metamorphosis. those that do not.
6. Frogs are amphibians that undergo metamorphosis during their life 4. Analyze recorded
cycle. As they grow, frogs develop different structures that help observations to compare the
them meet their basic needs in water and then on land: metamorphosis stages of
a. Tadpoles hatch from eggs, live in water, breathe using gills, different animals and make
and swim using a tail. As they metamorphose into frogs, predictions based on observed
tadpoles lose their gills and their tails. patterns.
b. Adult frogs live on land and in water. They breathe air using
lungs and develop webbed feet and hinged legs for
swimming in water and hopping on land. After a female frog

mates, she lays her eggs, and the cycle begins again.
7. Butterflies are insects that undergo metamorphosis during their life
cycle. As they go through egg, larva, pupa and adult stages,
butterflies develop different structures that help them meet their
basic needs on land and in the air:
a. Caterpillars hatch from eggs, live on plants, get food by
chewing leaves and move about using legs. As they
metamorphose into butterflies inside a chrysalis, they
develop wings, antennae and different mouth parts.
b. Butterflies live on land and in the air. They get food by
sucking nectar from flowers and move around primarily
using wings to fly. After a female butterfly mates, she
searches for the proper host plant to lay her eggs, and the
cycle begins again.
8. Comparing the life cycle stages of different organisms shows how
they are alike in some ways and unique in other ways.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: life cycle, egg, metamorphosis, structures
(body parts), amphibian, tadpole, gills, lungs, insect, caterpillar


GRADE 1

1.4 — The properties of materials and organisms can be described more accurately through the use of standard measuring units.
This content standard should be integrated within all PK–5 standards.


1.4.a. Various 1. Observations can be expressed in words, pictures or numbers. 1. Use nonstandard and standard A17. Estimate,
tools can be Measurements add accuracy to observations. measurements to describe and measure and
used to compare the weight, length, and compare the
2. Objects and organisms can be described using nonstandard measurement
measure, size of objects and organisms. sizes and
units, such as hand-lengths, pencil-lengths, handfuls, etc.
describe and weights of
2. Show approximate size of a
compare 3. Standard measurement units are more accurate than nonstandard units different
centimeter, meter, inch, foot
different because they have consistent values agreed on by everyone. For objects and
and yard using referents such
objects and example, “My caterpillar is one finger long” is much less accurate than organisms
as a finger, a hand or a book.
organisms. “My caterpillar is 4 centimeters long.” using standard
3. Select appropriate tools for and
4. Scientists and nonscientists all over the world use the metric system of
measuring length, height, nonstandard
measurement. In the United States, the customary measurement system
weight or liquid volume. measuring
is used in daily life. Equivalent values between the two systems can be
estimated (for example, 1 inch is a little more than 2 centimeters). 4. Use metric and customary tools.
rulers to measure length,
5. Specific tools are used to measure different quantities:
height or distance in
a. Metric rulers are used to measure length, height or distance in centimeters, meters, inches,
centimeters and meters; customary rulers measure length, height or feet and yards.
distance in inches, feet or yards.
5. Use balances and scales to
b. Balances and scales are used to compare and measure the heaviness of compare and measure the
objects. Grams and kilograms are units that express mass; ounces and heaviness of objects and
pounds are units that express weight. organisms in kilograms,
c. Graduated cylinders, beakers and measuring cups are tools used to grams, pounds and ounces.
measure the volume of liquids. Volume can be expressed in 6. Use graduated cylinders,
milliliters (mL), liters (L), cups or ounces. beakers and measuring cups
d. Thermometers are tools used to measure temperature; thermometers to measure the volume of

can indicate temperature in degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit, or liquids in milliliters, liters,
both. cups and ounces.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: centimeter, meter, gram, kilogram, milliliter, 7. Use thermometers to measure
liter, graduated cylinder, thermometer, Celsius, Fahrenheit air and water temperature in
degrees Celsius and degrees
Fahrenheit.
8. Make graphs to identify
patterns in recorded
measurements such as growth
or temperature over time.


GRADE 2

2.1 — Materials can be classified as solid, liquid or gas based on their observable properties.


2.1.a. Solids 1. Materials can be classified as solid, liquid or gas. All forms of matter 1. Compare and contrast the A18. Describe
tend to maintain have weight and take up space, but each form has unique properties. properties that distinguish differences in the
their own solids, liquids and gases. physical
2. Solids are the only form of matter that have a definite shape. A solid’s
shapes, while properties of
shape can be changed by hammering, twisting or stretching, but its weight 2. Classify objects and
liquids tend to solids and
remains the same. Solids can be hard, soft, bouncy, stretchy or grainy. materials according to
assume the liquids.
their state of matter.
shapes of their 3. Solids take up a definite amount of space (volume); the volume does
containers, and not change if the solid is placed in different containers. 3. Measure and compare the
gases fill their sizes of different solids.
4. Liquids do not have a definite shape; they flow to the bottom of a
containers fully. container and take on the shape of the part of the container they 4. Measure and compare the
occupy. Liquids pour and flow from a higher point to a lower point; volume of a liquid poured
some liquids flow faster than others. into different containers.
5. Liquids have a definite volume. When a liquid is poured into different 5. Design a fair test to
containers, the shape of the liquid may change, but the volume does not. compare the flow rates of
different liquids and
6. Gases are made of particles too small to see, but they still take up
granular solids.
space and have weight. Gases do not have a definite shape; they take
on the shape of whatever container they occupy. For example, the air
in an inflated balloon can be squeezed and reshaped.
7. Gases do not have a definite volume; they spread out in all directions
to fill any size container, or they keep spreading in all directions if
there is no container. For example, blowing even a small amount of
air into a balloon immediately fills the entire balloon; the smell of
baking bread eventually fills the entire house and even outside.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: property, classify, matter, state of matter, solid,
liquid, gas, volume


GRADE 2

2.2 — Plants change their forms as part of their life cycles.


2.2.a. The life 1. Flowering plants progress through a sequenced life cycle. First, 1. Use senses and simple tools A19. Describe the
cycles of seeds sprout (germinate), then seedlings grow into adult plants to observe and describe the life cycles of
flowering plants with leaves and flowers. If the flowers are pollinated, seeds roots, stems, leaves, flowers flowering plants as
include seed develop that will grow into new plants to continue the life cycle. and seeds of various plants they grow from
germination, (including trees, vegetables seeds, proceed
2. Roots, stems, leaves, flowers and seeds are structures that develop
growth, and grass.) through maturation
during different stages of the plant’s life cycle.
flowering, and produce new
2. Use magnifiers to observe
pollination and 3. Seeds contain the beginnings of a new plant (embryo) and the food seeds.
and diagram the parts of a
seed dispersal. (energy source) the new plant needs to grow until it is mature
flower.
enough to produce its own food. Different plant varieties produce
seeds of different size, color and shape. 3. Describe the functions of A20. Explore and
roots, stems, leaves, flowers describe the effects
4. Environmental conditions, such as temperature, amount of light,
and seeds in completing a of light and water
amount of water and type of soil, affect seed germination and plant
plant’s life cycle. on seed germination
development.
and plant growth.
4. Record observations and
5. A plant’s seed will grow into a new plant that resembles but is not
make conclusions about the
identical to the parent plant or to other new plants. For example,
sequence of stages in a
marigold plants produce marigold seeds that grow into new
flowering plant’s life cycle.
marigold plants. Individual marigolds, however, vary in height,
number of leaves, etc. 5. Compare and contrast how
seeds of different plants are
6. Seedlings are young plants that produce the structures that will be
adapted for dispersal by
needed by the plant to survive in its environment: Roots and leaves
water, wind or animals.
begin to grow and take in nutrients, water and air; and the stem
starts to grow towards sunlight. 6. Conduct a fair test to
explore factors that affect
7. Adult plants form more leaves that help the plant collect sunlight
seed germination and plant
and air to make its food. They produce flowers that are the
growth.
structures responsible for reproduction.

8. Flowers have structures that produce pollen, attract pollinators and
produce seeds that can grow into new plants. Some flowers have
structures that develop into fruits, berries or nuts that contain the
seeds that can grow into new plants.
9. Some seeds fall to the ground and germinate close to the parent plant;
other seeds are carried (dispersed) by wind, animals, or water to places
far away. The structure of the seed is related to the way it is
dispersed.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: life cycle, structures (body parts), seed,
germinate, reproduce, flower, pollen, pollinator, seed dispersal


The Changing Earth — How do materials cycle through the earth's systems?
GRADE 2

2.3 — Earth materials have varied physical properties that make them useful in different ways.

Core
Science Grade-Level Concepts Grade-Level Expectations
Assessment
Curriculum Students should understand that… Students should be able to…
Framework

2.3.a. Soils GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 2.3.a. 1. Use senses and simple tools A21. Sort
can be (e.g., sieves and settlement different soils
described by 1. Soil is a mixture of pieces of rock (particles), living and once living things tests) to separate soil into by properties,
their color, (humus), water and air. The components of soil can be separated using components such as rock such as particle
sieves and settlement tests.
texture and fragments, water, air and plant size, color and
capacity to 2. There are different types of soil that vary from place to place. Soil remains. composition.
retain water. properties can be observed and compared. Soils can be classified by
2. Classify soils by properties
properties such as color, particle size, or amount of organic material
such as color, particle size
(humus). Digging a deep hole shows that soils are often found in layers A22. Relate the
(sand, silt or clay), or amount
2.3.b. Soils that have different colors and textures. properties of
of organic material (loam).
support the different soils
3. The size of the particles in soils gives the soil its texture. Soils can be
growth of 3. Explain the importance of soil to their
classified by how they feel: Sandy soils feel gritty, silty soils feel
many kinds to plants, animals and people. capacity to
powdery, clay soils feel sticky, and soils with small rocks feel rough and
of plants, retain water
scratchy. 4. Evaluate the quality of
including and support the
different soils in terms of
those in our 4. The broken rocks that make up soils can be tiny (silt and clay), medium growth of
observable presence of air,
food supply. (sand), or large (pebbles). Soils can be classified by the size of their certain plants.
water, living things and plant
particles.
remains.
5. A soil’s texture affects how it packs together; soils that pack together
5. Conduct fair tests to
tightly hold less air and water than soils that stay loosely packed.
investigate how different soil
6. There are different types of soil that vary from place to place. Some soil types affect plant growth and
types are suited for supporting the weight of buildings and highways; write conclusions supported
other soil types are suited for planting food crops or forest growth. by evidence.
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 2.3.b.
1. Many plants need soil to grow. Soil holds water and nutrients that are

taken in (absorbed) by plant roots.
2. Soil is a habitat for many living things. Some organisms live in the soil
and others live on the soil. Worms and other underground animals create
spaces for air, water and plant roots to move through soil.
3. Plants we eat (“crops”) grow in different soil types. Plant height, root
length, number of leaves, and number of flowers can all be affected by
how much water, air and organic material the soil holds.
4. To support the growth of different plants, people can change the
properties of soils by adding nutrients (fertilizing), water (irrigating) or
air (tilling).

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: soil, property, classify, mixture, particle, humus,
sand, silt, clay, texture, nutrients


GRADE 2

2.4 — Human beings, like all other living things, have special nutritional needs for survival.
This content standard is an application of the concepts in content standard 2.3 and should be integrated into the same learning unit.


2.4.a. The GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 2.4.a. 1. Explain that food is a source A23. Identify
essential of carbohydrates, protein and the sources of
components of 1. People need to eat a variety of foods to get the energy and nutrients they fats —nutrients that animals common foods
balanced need to grow, move and stay healthy. Foods are classified as grains, (including humans) convert to and classify
nutrition can be fruits, vegetables, dairy, meats and beans, and oils. energy they use to stay alive them by their
obtained from 2. Some foods people eat come from plants that grow wild or are planted and grow. basic food
plant and by farmers as crops. A fruit is the ripened ovary of a flower; vegetables groups.
2. Classify foods into groups
animal sources. are the roots, stems, leaves or flowers of plants. based on their source, and
3. Some foods people eat come from animals that are wild or are raised on relate common foods to the A24. Describe
ranches. Meat, fish, dairy products and eggs all come from animals. plant or animal from which
2.4.b. People how people in
they come.
eat different 4. The types of crops that can grow in an area depend on the climate and different
foods in order soil. Some foods are grown and sold by local farms, and some foods are 3. Give examples of ways people cultures use
to satisfy grown far away and transported to local grocery stores. can improve soil quality and different food
nutritional crop growth (e.g., irrigation, sources to meet
needs for GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 2.4.b. fertilizer, pest control). their nutritional
carbohydrates, 1. All people need the same basic nutrients to grow, move and stay healthy; needs.
4. Compare and contrast how
proteins and different cultures satisfy these needs by consuming different foods. different cultures meet needs
fats.
2. The level of energy and nutrients individuals need depends on their age, for basic nutrients by
gender and how active they are. consuming various foods.
3. Most foods contain a combination of nutrients. Labels on food packages 5. Evaluate the nutritional value
describe the nutrients contained in the food and how much energy the of different foods by analyzing
food provides (calories). package labels.
4. Breads, cereals, rice and pasta are sources of carbohydrates, which


provide energy.
5. Meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs and nuts are sources of protein, which
keeps the body working properly.
6. Fruits and vegetables are sources of vitamins and minerals, which keep
the body healthy.
7. Nuts, meats and fish are sources of fats and oils, which provide energy.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: nutrient, crop, grain, carbohydrate, protein,
dairy, fats, oils, energy


inquiry skills described below should be utilized by Grade 3-5 students as they learn the content described by
each Content Standard on the pages that follow.

Grades 3-5 Core Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy


B INQ.1 Make observations and ask questions about objects, organisms and the environment.
B INQ.2 Seek relevant information in books, magazines and electronic media.
B INQ.3 Design and conduct simple investigations.
B INQ.4 Employ simple equipment and measuring tools to gather data and extend the senses.
B INQ.5 Use data to construct reasonable explanations.
B INQ.6 Analyze, critique and communicate investigations using words, graphs and drawings.
B INQ.7 Read and write a variety of science-related fiction and nonfiction texts.
B INQ.8 Search the Web and locate relevant science information.
B INQ.9 Use measurement tools and standard units (e.g., centimeters, meters, grams, kilograms) to describe
objects and materials.
B INQ.10 Use mathematics to analyze, interpret and present data.


GRADE 3

3.1 — Materials have properties that can be identified and described through the use of simple tests.

Core
Grade-Level Expectations CMT
Science Grade-Level Concepts
Expected
Curriculum Students should understand that… Students should be able to… Performances
Framework

3.1.a. 1. Materials have properties that are directly observable; examples include 1. Compare and contrast the B1. Sort and
Heating and its state of matter, or its size, shape, color or texture. Other properties can properties of solids, liquids classify
cooling only be observed by doing something to the material (simple tests). and gases. materials based
cause Materials can be sorted and classified based on their testable properties. on properties
2. Demonstrate that solids,
changes in 2. Some materials dissolve (disappear) when mixed in water; others liquids and gases are all forms such as
some of the dissolving in
accumulate on the top or the bottom of the container. The temperature of of matter that take up space
properties of water, sinking
water can affect whether, and at what rate, materials dissolve in it. and have weight.
materials. and floating,
3. Some materials, such as sponges, papers and fabrics, absorb water better 3. Carry out simple tests to conducting
than others. determine if materials heat, and
dissolve, sink or float in attracting to
4. Some materials float when placed in water (or other liquids such as
water, conduct heat or attract magnets.
cooking oil or maple syrup); others sink to the bottom of the container.
to magnets.
5. Some materials conduct heat better than others. Materials that are poor
4. Classify materials based on
heat conductors are useful for keeping things cold or hot. B2. Describe
their observable properties,
6. Some materials are attracted to magnets. Magnetic materials contain iron. the effect of
including state of matter.
heating on the
7. The physical properties of a material can be changed, but the material 5. Design and conduct fair tests melting,
remains the same. For example, a block of wood can be cut, sanded or to investigate the absorbency evaporation,
painted, but it is still wood. of different materials, write condensation
8. Heating and cooling cause materials to change from one state of matter to conclusions based on and freezing of
another and back again. Adding heat can cause solids to melt into liquids evidence, and analyze why water.
(for example, chocolate, ice cream, butter or wax); removing heat similar investigations might
(cooling) can cause liquids to harden into solids (for example, hot candle produce different results.
wax hardens as it cools). 6. Explain the role of heating
9. Adding heat can cause water to boil and evaporate into a gas in the air (for and cooling in changing

example, steam rises from heated water); removing heat (cooling) can matter from one state to
cause water vapor to condense into liquid water (for example, warm steam another during freezing,
hitting a cold mirror). Water outdoors or in an open container evaporates melting, evaporation and
without boiling (for example, puddles, ponds, fish tanks, etc.) condensation.
10. Water may exist as a solid, liquid or gas, depending on its temperature. If
water is turned into ice and then the ice is allowed to melt, the amount of
water is the same as it was before freezing.
11. Liquid water becomes solid water (ice) when its temperature cools to 0
degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit). Warming ice to a temperature
above 0 degrees Celsius causes it to melt into liquid water.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: physical property, state of matter, solid, liquid,
gas, dissolve, absorb, conduct, attract, melt, freeze, boil, evaporate, condense


GRADE 3

3.2 — Organisms can survive and reproduce only in environments that meet their basic needs.

Grade-Level Concepts CMT Expected
Curriculum
Students should understand that… Students should be able to… Performances
Framework

3.2.a. Plants 1. Plants and animals have physical and behavioral adaptations that allow 1. Compare and contrast the B3. Describe how
and animals them to survive in certain environments. Adaptations are passed from external features and different plants
have parents to offspring. Individuals that happen to be bigger, stronger or behaviors that enable and animals are
structures and faster can have an advantage over others of the same kind for finding different animals and adapted to obtain
behaviors that food and mates. plants (including those that air, water, food
help them are extinct) to get food, and protection in
2. Animals have behavioral and structural adaptations for getting food.
survive in water and sunlight; find specific land
Structural adaptations include things such as specialized teeth for tearing
different mates; and be protected in habitats.
meat or grinding grasses; specialized beaks for cracking seeds, snatching
environments. specific land and water
insects, tearing meat or spearing fish; sharp claws for grasping; keen
habitats.
sense of smell, or long, sticky tongues for reaching food. Behavioral B4. Describe how
adaptations include actions such as following herds of prey animals, 2. Explain how behaviors different plants
spinning webs or stalking. such as hibernation, and animals are
dormancy and migration
3. Animals have behavioral and structural adaptations for protection from adapted to obtain
give species advantages for
predators. Some animals have camouflage that allows them to stay air, water, food
surviving unfavorable
concealed by blending in with their surroundings; some animals look like and protection in
environmental conditions.
other animals to avoid being eaten. Structural adaptations include things water habitats.
such as sharp quills, hard shells or antlers. Behavioral adaptations 3. Give examples of ways
include actions such as staying absolutely still, producing a bad odor, animals benefit from
appearing or sounding scary, or fleeing. camouflage.
4. Animals have behavioral and structural adaptations for surviving harsh 4. Evaluate whether an
environmental conditions. Animals that live in cold climates have adaptation gives a plant or
insulating body coverings such as blubber, down or thick undercoats that animal a survival
keep them warm. Animals that live in hot climates keep cool by releasing advantage in a given
heat from big ears or by panting, or by living underground. Some environment.
animals survive seasonal changes by slowing down body functions 5. Design a model of an
(hibernating in dens, tunnels or mud) or moving to more favorable

conditions (migrating). organism whose
adaptations give it an
5. Plants have adaptations for getting the sunlight they need to survive.
advantage in a specific
Examples include growing or facing toward sunlight and sending out
environment.
chutes or tendrils to get taller than neighboring plants.
6. Plants have adaptations for protection from predators. Examples include
spines, thorns and toxins (for example, poison ivy).
7. Plants have adaptations for surviving in different environmental
conditions. Examples include dropping leaves in winter when sunlight
and water are limited, having needle-shaped leaves that shed snow, or
surviving drought by storing water in thick stems.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: adaptation, advantage, camouflage,
hibernation, migration


The Changing Earth — How do materials cycle through the earth's systems?
GRADE 3

3.3 — Earth materials have different physical and chemical properties.

Core
Expected
Framework

3.3.a. Rocks 1. Earth is mainly made of rock. Rocks on the earth’s surface are constantly 1. Differentiate between rocks B5. Describe
and being broken down into smaller and smaller pieces, from mountains to and minerals. the physical
minerals boulders, stones, pebbles and small particles that make up soil. properties of
2. Use the senses and simple
have rocks and
2. Rocks can be sorted based on properties, such as shape, size, color, weight or measuring tools to gather
properties relate them to
texture. data about various rocks and
that may be their potential
classify them based on
identified 3. Properties of rocks can be used to identify the conditions under which they uses.
observable properties (e.g.,
through were formed.
shape, size, color, weight,
observation 4. Igneous rocks are formed when melted rock cools, hardens and forms visible markings).
and testing; B6. Relate the
crystals. Melted rock that cools slowly inside a volcano forms large crystals
these 3. Conduct simple tests to properties of
as it cools. Melted rock that cools rapidly on the earth’s surface forms small
properties determine properties of rocks to the
crystals (or none at all).
determine different minerals (e.g. color, possible
how earth 5. Sedimentary rocks are formed underwater when small particles of sand, mud, odor, streak, luster, hardness, environmental
materials silt or ancient shells/skeletons settle to the bottom in layers that are buried magnetism), organize data in conditions
are used. and cemented together over a long period of time. They often have visible a table, and use the data and during their
layers or fossils. other resources to identify formation.
6. Metamorphic rocks are formed when igneous or sedimentary rocks are unknown mineral specimens.
reheated and cooled or pressed into new forms. They often have bands, 4. Summarize nonfiction text to
streaks or clumps of materials. compare and contrast the
7. Rock properties make them useful for different purposes. Rocks that can be conditions under which
cut into regular shapes are useful for buildings and statues; rocks that igneous, metamorphic and
crumble easily are useful for making mixtures such as concrete and sedimentary rocks are
sheetrock. formed.

8. All rocks are made of materials called minerals that have properties that may 5. Observe and analyze rock

be identified by testing. Mineral properties include color, odor, streak, properties (e.g., crystal size
luster, hardness and magnetism. or layers) to infer the
conditions under which the
9. Minerals are used in many ways, depending on their properties. For
rock was formed.
example, gold is a mineral that is easily shaped to make jewelry; talc is a
mineral that breaks into tiny grains useful for making powders. 6. Evaluate the usefulness of
different rock types for
specific applications (e.g.,
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: property, classify, texture, igneous, sedimentary, buildings, sidewalks, stone
metamorphic, fossil, crystal, mineral walls, statues or
monuments).


GRADE 3

3.4 — Earth materials provide resources for all living things, but these resources are limited and should be conserved.
This content standard is an application of the concepts in content standards 3.1 and 3.3 should be integrated within one of those units.

Core Science Grade-Level Expectations CMT
Curriculum Expected
Framework Students should understand that… Students should be able to… Performances

3.4.a. Decisions 1. Earth materials that occur in nature include rocks, minerals, soils, water 1. Describe ways people use B7. Describe
made by and the gases of the atmosphere. Earth materials are natural resources earth materials, such as fossil how earth
individuals can that provide us with things we need to live, including food, clothing, fuels, trees, water, soils and materials can
affect the global water, air, shelter, land and energy. rocks as natural resources to be conserved
supply of many improve their lives. by reducing
2. Some natural resources are useful to people in their raw form (for
resources. the quantities
example, fresh water, soil or air); other natural resources must be 2. Summarize nonfiction text to
used, and by
modified to meet human needs (for example, petroleum must be explain how humans use
reusing and
extracted from rocks and refined into gasoline, heating oil or plastics; technology to access and use
recycling
wood from trees must be processed to make paper). natural resources to produce
materials
electricity or other products
3. The supply of many natural resources such as fossil fuels, metals, fresh rather than
(e.g., paper or concrete).
water and fertile soil is limited; once they are used up or contaminated discarding
they are difficult or impossible to replace. 3. Explain advantages and them.
disadvantages of renewable
4. Human actions can affect the survival of plants and animals. The
and nonrenewable energy
products of the fuels people burn affect the quality of the air. Waste and
sources that can be used for
chemicals from factories, farms, lawns and streets affect the quality of
making electricity, fueling
the water and soil.
cars or heating homes.
5. Humans can extend the use of some natural resources by reducing the
4. Design and conduct
amounts they use (for example, driving less to reduce the amount of
experiments to evaluate the
gasoline used; turning off faucets when not in use).
effectiveness of different
6. Humans can extend the use of some natural resources by recycling, or insulating materials for
collecting used materials and processing them into new materials (for keeping a substance (or
example, collecting waste paper or plastic bottles and making them into space) warm or cold (i.e.,
new products). conducting heat).

5. Use mathematics to estimate,
7. Humans can extend the use of some natural resources by reusing
measure and graph the
products instead of buying new ones (for example, washing containers
quantity of a natural resource
that food is packaged in and using them again to store different foods or
(e.g., water, paper) used by
objects).
an individual (or group) in a
8. Humans can extend the use of some natural resources by replacing what certain time period.
they use (for example, planting new trees to replace those that are cut for
6. Evaluate the environmental
lumber or paper; purifying dirty water from storm drains and
advantages and
discharging clean water back into a river).
disadvantages of reducing,
reusing, recycling and
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: natural resources, renewable/nonrenewable, replacing as conservation
recycle, conserve methods.


Forces and Motion — What makes objects move the way they do?
GRADE 4

4.1 — The position and motion of objects can be changed by pushing or pulling.

Core
Expected
Framework

4.1.a. The GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 4.1.a. 1. Demonstrate that a force can B8. Describe
size of the cause an object to start the effects of
change in an 1. An object is in motion when its position is changing. Speed describes moving, stop, or change the strengths of
object’s how far an object moves in a given amount of time (for example, miles speed or direction. pushes and
motion is per hour). pulls on the
2. Use measurement tools and
related to the 2. A force is a push or pull that can cause an object to move, stop, or motion of
standard units to compare
strength of change speed or direction. objects.
and contrast the motion of
the push or
3. The greater the force, the greater the change in motion. For example, common objects such as toy
pull.
two people can push a heavy box that could not be pushed by one cars, balls, model rockets or B9. Describe
person alone. planes in terms of change in the effect of the
position, speed and direction.
4.1.b. The 4. Given an object, changing the amount of force applied to it causes mass of an
more measurable effects. 3. Design and conduct object on its
massive an experiments to determine motion.
5. When an object does not move in response to a push or a pull, it is
object is, the how the motion of an object
because another equal-sized force is counteracting the push or pull.
less effect a is related to the mass of the
Gravity (the earth’s pulling force) and friction are common forces that
given force object and the strength of the
affect motion. Friction and air resistance are forces that oppose motion.
will have on force applied.
its motion. GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 4.1.b. 4. Describe how friction forces
1. The amount of force needed to move an object is related to the object’s caused by air resistance or
mass. interactions between surface
materials affect the motion of
2. The greater the object’s mass, the greater the force needed to move it, objects.
stop it or change its speed or direction.
5. Predict the effect of an
3. An object with a small mass is easier to stop or cause a change in

motion than an object with a large mass. object’s mass on its motion.
4. Given the same amount of force, changing the mass of an object has
measurable effects.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: motion, force, speed, gravity, friction, mass


Matter and Energy in Ecosystems — How do matter and energy flow through ecosystems?
GRADE 4

4.2 — All organisms depend on the living and nonliving features of the environment for survival.

Grade-Level Concepts CMT Expected
Curriculum
Students should understand that… Students should be able to… Performances
Framework

4.2.a. When the 1. Living and nonliving things interact in land and water environments 1. Give examples of ways that B10. Describe
environment called ecosystems. Every ecosystem has certain conditions (“abiotic living and nonliving things how animals,
changes, some factors”) and a variety of living things (“organisms”) that are adapted are interdependent within an directly or
organisms for survival in those conditions. Abiotic factors include the quality and ecosystem. indirectly,
survive and amount of air, sunlight, water and soil, as well as the terrain and depend on plants
2. Draw diagrams showing
reproduce, and climate. to provide the
how the sun’s energy enters
others die or food and energy
2. Organisms depend on other organisms and on the nonliving things in and is transferred from
move to new they need to
an ecosystem to meet their basic needs for food, water and protection. producers to consumers in a
locations. grow and
local land or aquatic food
3. Plants use energy from the sun to produce their own food from air and survive.
chain.
water. The type of soil, amount of water and temperature range in an
area determine the plants that grow there. 3. Design and conduct simple
investigations to record B11. Describe
4. Animals that live in an area get their energy and nutrients either
interactions among how natural
directly or indirectly from plants that grow there: herbivores consume
producers, consumers, phenomena and
only plants, carnivores consume animals, and omnivores consume both
herbivores, carnivores, some human
animals and plants. Decomposers consume plant and animal waste
omnivores and decomposers activities may
and remains, returning nutrients to the soil where they are used again
in an ecosystem. cause changes to
by plants.
habitats and their
4. Analyze food webs to
5. Some of the sun’s energy is transferred from one organism to another inhabitants.
when a plant or animal is consumed by another animal. A food chain describe how energy is
transferred from plants to
is a simple model that illustrates the passage of energy from one
organism to another. Food webs are more realistic models that show various animals in an
ecosystem.
the varied energy-passing relationships among plants and animals in an
ecosystem. 5. Distinguish between
naturally occurring changes
6. Environments are always changing. Some changes occur naturally

(examples include droughts, disease outbreaks, or forest fires sparked in ecosystems and those
by lightning). Other changes are caused by human activity (examples caused by human activity.
include establishing conservation areas, passing laws to control 6. Predict the effect an
pollution, clearing forests for agriculture or construction, applying environmental change, such
chemicals to lawns and crops, burning fossil fuels, etc.). as drought or forest
7. Changes in an environment are sometimes beneficial to organisms and destruction, might have on
sometimes harmful. For example, a newly created beaver pond the community of living
provides habitat that attracts frogs and raccoons to an area; but trees, things.
earthworms and moles are no longer able to survive in the area.
8. When environments change, some organisms can accommodate the
change by eating different foods or finding different shelters (for
example, hawks nest on city buildings and consume pigeons and rats).
Those organisms that can no longer meet their basic needs die or move
to new locations.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: ecosystem, organism, abiotic factors,
nutrient, producer, consumer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore,
decomposer, food chain, food web


Energy in the earth's systems — How do external and internal sources of energy affect the earth's systems?
GRADE 4

4.3 — Water has a major role in shaping the earth's surface.

Curriculum Expected

4.3.a. Water 1. Water is continuously moving between Earth’s surface and the 1. Describe the role of heat B12. Describe
circulates atmosphere in a process called the water cycle. Heat energy from the sun energy (i.e., heating and how the sun’s
through the causes water on Earth to change to a gas and rise into the atmosphere, cooling) in the continuous energy
earth's crust, where it cools, condenses into tiny droplets in clouds, and eventually falls cycling of water between the impacts the
oceans and to Earth as precipitation. earth and the atmosphere water cycle.
atmosphere. through evaporation,
2. Most precipitation that falls to Earth goes directly into oceans. Some
condensation and
precipitation falls on land and gravity causes it to flow downhill in
precipitation. B13. Describe
streams.
the role of
2. Use models to demonstrate
3. Rain or snowmelt in high elevations flows downhill in many streams water in
that topography causes
which collect in lower elevations to form a river that flows downhill to an erosion and
precipitation landing on Earth
ocean, a lake or a sea. river
to move in streams and rivers formation.
4. Water moving across the earth pushes along soil particles (sediment) and from higher to lower
wears away pieces of rock in a process called erosion. Streams and rivers elevations.
carry away rock and sediment from some areas and deposit them in other
3. Design and conduct simple
areas, creating new landforms or changing the course of a stream or river.
investigations to determine
5. The amount of erosion in an area, and the type of earth material that is how moving water (flowing
moved, are affected by the amount of moving water, the speed of the downhill or in ocean waves)
moving water, and by how much vegetation covers the area. causes changes to the land,
6. The speed of a river’s flow depends on the slope of the land, the amount the coastline or the course of
of sediment it carries, and the shape of its channel (straight or a stream or river.
meandering). 4. Pose testable questions and
employ simple equipment and
7. The speed of a river’s flow affects the amount of earth material that is measuring tools to collect
data about factors that affect

pushed along or left behind in floodplains and deltas. Rivers flow through erosion (e.g., type of earth
and reshape valleys as they move between mountains or hills. material in an area, volume of
moving water, slope of land,
8. Water moving in ocean waves carries sand, shells and debris away from
vegetation coverage).
some coastal areas and deposits them in new areas, changing the shape of
the coastline. 5. Present evidence to support a
scientific claim about the
9. Erosion is constantly reshaping the earth’s land surface. Sometimes the
relationship between the
effects of erosion are immediate (for example, a flash flood or a hurricane)
amount and speed of moving
and sometimes the effects of erosion take a long time (for example, the
water and the size of earth
changing course of a river or the carving of the Grand Canyon).
materials moved (e.g., sand,
silt, pebbles, boulders).
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: water cycle, evaporate, condense, precipitation,
erosion, sediment, valley, floodplain, delta


Energy Transfer and Transformations — What is the role of energy in our world?
GRADE 4

4.4 — Electrical and magnetic energy can be transferred and transformed.

Curriculum Expected

1. Construct complete (closed) B14. Describe
4.4.a. GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 4.4.a.
Electricity in and incomplete (open) series how batteries
circuits can be 1. Electric current flows (is transferred) from an energy source (battery) circuits in which electrical and wires can
transformed through a continuous loop (circuit) and back to the source. A complete energy is transformed into heat, transfer energy
into light, heat, circuit (also called a closed circuit) forms a closed loop that allows light, sound and/or motion to light a bulb.
sound and electric current to flow; an incomplete circuit (also called an open energy.
magnetic circuit) has a break in the loop that prevents the flow of electric current.
2. Draw labeled diagrams of
effects. 2. Complete circuits can be made by connecting wires, batteries and bulbs complete and incomplete
in certain sequences. Circuits are completed only when certain parts of a B15. Explain
circuits, explain necessary
battery, a bulb or a wire are touching (making contact). Circuit diagrams components and how how simple
4.4.b. Magnets show the relative positions of batteries, bulbs and wires in complete electrical
components can be arranged to
can make circuits. make a complete circuit. circuits can be
objects move
without direct 3. Conductors are materials that allow electric current to flow through them 3. Predict whether diagrammed used to
contact in an electric circuit. An open circuit can be completed by inserting a circuit configurations will light determine
between the conductive material. If a bulb stays lit when an object is added to an a bulb. which
object and the electric circuit, the material is a conductor.
4. Develop a method for testing materials
magnet. 4. Insulators are materials that do not allow electric current to flow through conduct
conductivity and analyze data
them in an electric circuit. If a bulb does not stay lit when an object is to generalize that metals are electricity.
added to an electric circuit, the material is an insulator. generally good electrical
5. Conductors can be tested to compare how easily they allow electricity to conductors and nonmetals are
flow through them. not.
B16. Describe
6. Electrical energy is changed (transformed) into light and heat energy as 5. Observe magnetic effects the properties
it passes through a bulb in a circuit. Electrical energy can be associated with electricity and of magnets,
transformed into sound energy as it passes through a bell or a radio in a investigate factors that affect and how they
circuit. the strength of an can be used to

7. Adding batteries or bulbs to a circuit can produce observable changes. electromagnet. identify and
separate
8. Electricity flowing through an electrical circuit produces magnetic 6. Describe materials that are
mixtures of
effects in the wires. The electromagnet can be turned on and off, and its attracted by magnets.
solid materials.
strength can be varied and measured. 7. Design procedures to move
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 4.4.b. objects and separate mixtures
of solids using magnets.
1. Magnets pull on (“attract”) objects made of iron or that have iron in
them. Materials can be identified using magnets, and mixtures of 8. Investigate how magnets react
materials can be separated using magnets. with other magnets and analyze
findings to identify patterns in
2. Some areas of a magnet have stronger magnetic attraction than other the interactions between north
areas. and south poles of magnets.
3. Magnets can pull (attract) or push (repel) other magnets. 9. Give examples of uses of
4. The ends of a magnet are called “poles.” A magnet’s poles are often magnets (e.g., motors,
referred to as “north” and “south.” When the north pole of one magnet generators, household
is placed near the north pole of another magnet, they repel each other; devices).
when the south pole of one magnet is placed near the south pole of
another magnet, they repel each other; when the north pole of one
magnet is placed near the south pole of another magnet, they attract each
other.
5. A magnet’s push or pull can cause a magnetic object or another magnet
to move without direct contact. The strength of a magnet’s attractive
force can be measured by recording the number or mass of the objects it
attracts or the distance across which it attracts objects.
6. When a magnet, or a magnetized object such as a compass needle, is
allowed to swing freely, its ends will point toward the earth’s magnetic
north and south poles.
7. Magnets and electromagnets have many uses in everyday life. Examples
may include paper clip containers, refrigerator door seals, shower curtain
weights, or a compass.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: magnet, attract (attraction), repel (repulsion),
iron, pole, force, electric current, energy source, battery, contact, complete
(closed) circuit, incomplete (open) circuit, conductor, insulator


GRADE 5

5.1 — Sound and light are forms of energy.

Core Science Grade-Level Concepts Grade-Level Expectations CMT
Curriculum Expected

5.1.a. Sound is GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 5.1.a. 1. Generalize that vibrating B17. Describe
a form of objects produce sound if the the factors that
energy that is 1. There are a variety of sounds in our environment. Sounds have vibrations are transferred affect the pitch
produced by characteristics, such as loudness, pitch and quality (or “timbre”), that from the object through and loudness of
the vibration of allow them to be identified. another material (e.g., air, a sound
objects and is 2. For sound to occur, there must be a vibrating object, a material through solid, or a liquid). produced by
transmitted by which the vibrations are transferred (for example, air or water), and a vibrating
2. Demonstrate how the
the vibration of receiver (for example, an ear) to perceive the sound. objects.
loudness, pitch and
air and objects.
3. Objects can be caused to vibrate by actions such as striking, strumming, quality/timbre of sound can
bowing, plucking or blowing. be varied. B18. Describe
5.1.b. Light is 4. Sounds can vary in loudness (“volume”). Volume is affected by the 3. Design and conduct how sound is
a form of strength of the force causing the vibration. For example, striking a drum investigations to determine transmitted,
energy that forcefully or gently produces sounds with different volumes. factors that affect pitch. reflected
travels in a and/or
5. Sounds can have a high or low tone (“pitch”). The pitch of a sound 4. Describe the properties of
straight line absorbed by
depends on the speed of the vibration. Objects that vibrate quickly have materials that reflect or
and can be different
a high pitch, while those that vibrate slowly have a low pitch. absorb sound.
reflected by a materials.
mirror, 6. Pitch is affected by characteristics such as the shape, length, tension or 5. Analyze properties of materials
B19. Describe
refracted by a thickness of the vibrating material (for example, the vibrating material that cause sound to be reflected
how light is
lens, or may be a string, a glass, a wire or a drum). or absorbed, then apply
absorbed
absorbed by findings to design a device that
7. Sound travels (is “transmitted”) through materials by causing them to and/or
objects. reflects or absorbs sound.
vibrate. Sound is not transmitted if there are no materials to vibrate. reflected by
Solids, liquids and gases (air) transmit sound differently. 6. Construct simple musical different
instruments (e.g., rubber band surfaces.
8. Sounds can be reflected or absorbed, depending on the properties of the
guitars, drums, etc.) that
material it hits. Sound tends to bounce off smooth, hard surfaces,
produce sounds with various
producing an echo; sound tends to be absorbed by soft, porous surfaces,

producing a muffled sound. pitches, volume and timbres.
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 5.1.b. 7. Provide evidence that light
travels in straight lines away
1. Light travels in straight paths away from a source of illumination in all from a source in all
directions until it hits an object. Some sources of illumination produce directions.
their own light (for example, the sun, fire, light bulb); other sources of
illumination reflect light produced by something else (for example, the 8. Investigate how light is
moon or a mirror). refracted as it passes through a
lens or through one transparent
2. Light interacts with objects in various ways; it can be reflected off the material to another.
object, absorbed by the object, or refracted through the object.
9. Demonstrate that white light
3. Materials can be classified based on how much light passes through is composed of many colors.
them. Transparent materials allow most light to pass through them.
Translucent materials allow some light to pass through them. Opaque 10. Explain that all visible objects
materials do not allow any light to pass through them. are reflecting some light to
the human eye.
4. Objects that have flat, smooth surfaces reflect light and produce a
mirror-like image. Objects that have curved or uneven surfaces scatter 11. Contrast the way light is
the reflected light and produce distorted or blurry images. reflected by a smooth, shiny
object (e.g., mirror or pool of
5. Light always reflects away from a mirror at the same angle that it hits the water) and how light is
mirror. The angle of incoming light equals the angle of reflected light. reflected by other objects.
6. Objects that block light traveling from a source produce shadows. The 12. Measure angles to predict the
shape, length, direction and clarity of a shadow depend on the shape and path of light reflected by a
position of the object, and the location of the light source. mirror.
7. Light changes direction (“refracts”) as it passes from one transparent 13. Determine whether a material
material to another (for example, as it passes from air to water or through is opaque, transparent or
lenses. translucent based on how
light passes through it.
KEY CONCEPT WORDS: reflect, absorb, refract, transparent,
translucent, opaque, angle, vibration, transfer, volume, pitch, transmit, 14. Design and conduct light
reflect, absorb absorption experiments that
vary the size, length, direction
and clarity of a shadow by
changing the position of the
light-blocking object or the
light source.


GRADE 5

5.2 —Perceiving and responding to information about the environment is critical to the survival of organisms.

Curriculum Expected

5.2.a The 1. Animals have sense organs that are structured to gather information 1. Explain the role of sensory B20. Describe
sense organs about their environment. Information perceived by the senses allows organs in perceiving stimuli how light
perceive animals to find food, water, mates and protection. (e.g., light/dark, heat/cold, absorption and
stimuli from 2. Each sense organ perceives specific kinds of stimuli. Some human flavors, pain, etc.) reflection
the senses are more or less developed than the senses of other animals. allow one to
2. Pose testable questions and
environment see the shapes
3. Sense organs transfer information through a network of nerves to the design experiments to
and send and colors of
brain where it is interpreted and responded to. The brain responds by determine factors that affect
signals to the objects.
sending messages to all parts of the body. The type of response and human reaction time.
brain through
the nervous the amount of time it takes for the response to occur vary depending on 3. Conduct simple tests to explore
system. the stimulus. the capabilities of the human B21. Describe
4. The human ear is structured to collect sound vibrations from the senses. the structure
environment and pass them through the middle ear (eardrum and small 4. Summarize nonfiction text to and function of
bones) and inner ear (hair-lined tubes) to the auditory nerve where they the human
explain the role of the brain and
are transformed into electrical signals that are sent to different parts of senses and the
spinal cord in responding to
the brain. signals they
information received from the
perceive.
5. The human eye is structured to collect light through the cornea and the sense organs.
pupil. The amount of light that enters the eye is controlled by the iris. 5. Identify the major structures of
The cornea and the lens refract the light and focus it onto the retina and the human eye, ear, nose, skin
the optic nerve where it is transformed into electrical signals that are and tongue, and explain their
sent to different parts of the brain. functions.
6. For anything to be visible, light must be present. For a person to see 6. Draw diagrams showing the
an object, the light it reflects or produces must have a straight, straight path of light rays from
unobstructed path to the eye. a source to a reflecting object to
7. Human eyes have receptors for perceiving shades of red, orange, the eye, allowing objects to be
yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. seen.

8. Sunlight (or “white light”) is a combination of colors. White light 7. Describe the properties of
passed through prisms, water droplets or diffraction gratings can be different materials and the
refracted to show its component colors: red, orange, yellow, green, structures in the human eye
blue, indigo and violet. enable humans to perceive
color.
9. The perceived color of an object depends on the color of the light
illuminating it and the way the light interacts with the object. The
color humans see is the color that is reflected by the object. For
example, an object that appears green is absorbing all colors except
green, which is reflected to the eye.
10. Human skin is structured to detect information related to texture,
temperature, pressure and vibration. Each sensation has different
receptors distributed around the body; some areas of the body have
greater concentrations of receptors for certain sensations, making those
areas more sensitive than others to texture, temperature, or pressure.
11. Human noses are structured to collect and detect chemicals floating in
the air (odors). Tiny hairs behind the nose have special receptors that
respond to airborne chemicals and produce electrical signals that are
transmitted to different parts of the brain by the olfactory nerve.
12. Human tongues are sense organs that are structured for detecting
chemicals dissolved in saliva (flavors). Taste buds respond to 4 basic
tastes: salty, sweet, sour and bitter. Special receptors in taste buds
respond to tastes and produce electrical signals that transmit
information through nerves to different parts of the brain.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: sense organ, receptor, stimulus, response,
nervous system, vibration, reflect, refract, cornea, pupil, iris, lens, retina,
white light, absorb


Earth in the Solar System — How does the position of Earth in the solar system affect conditions on our planet?
GRADE 5

5.3 — Most objects in the solar system are in a regular and predictable motion.

Curriculum Expected

5.3.a. The 1. The sun, Earth and its moon are spherical objects that move in two 1. Explain the motion of the B22. Explain
positions of the ways: they spin (rotate) and they change positions relative to each earth relative to the sun that the cause of
earth and moon other (revolve). causes Earth to experience day and night
relative to the cycles of day and night. based on the
2. The sun is a star that produces light that travels in straight lines away
sun explain the rotation of
from the sun in all directions. Light from the sun illuminates objects 2. Construct models
cycles of day Earth on its
that reflect light, including Earth and its moon. The side of the earth demonstrating Earth’s rotation
and night, and axis.
that is facing the sun experiences daylight; the side of the earth facing on its axis, the moon’s
the monthly away from the sun experiences night. All parts of the earth experience revolution around the earth,
moon phases. a cycle that includes both day and night, providing evidence that the and the earth and moon B23. Describe
earth is rotating on its axis. revolving around the sun. the monthly
3. The amount of time it takes for the earth to rotate once on its axis is 3. Distinguish between the sun as changes in the
regular and predictable (24 hours), and is called “a day.” Earth’s a source of light and the moon appearance of
rotation makes it appear as if the sun is moving across the sky from as a reflection of that light. the moon,
east to west. based on the
4. Observe and record the
moon’s orbit
4. The moon is a rocky object that revolves around the earth in a circular moon’s appearance over time
around the
path called an orbit. The amount of time it takes for the moon to and analyze findings to
earth.
revolve once around the earth is about 29 days and is called a “lunar describe the cyclical changes
month.” in its appearance from Earth
(moon phases).
5. Half of the moon is always illuminated by the sun. Phases of the
moon occur because a different portion of the lit half of the moon is 5. Relate the moon phases to
visible from Earth each day as the moon revolves around the earth. changes in the moon’s
position relative to the earth
6. The changes in the moon’s phases occur in a regular and predictable
and sun during its 29-day
sequence. At predictable periods during the lunar cycle, the moon is
revolution around the earth.
visible in either the daytime or the nighttime sky.
7. At the beginning of a lunar month, no lit part of the moon is visible

from Earth (new moon). As the moon progresses through the first two
quarters of its complete trip around the earth, larger portions of the
right side of the moon are illuminated each day. When the moon has
completed half its trip around the earth, the full moon is illuminated.
During the third and fourth quarters of the moon’s trip around the
earth, the illuminated portion gradually decreases so only the left side
is illuminated and finally no lit portion of the moon is visible from
Earth again.
8. Like the sun, the moon appears to rise at the eastern horizon and set at
the western horizon due to the earth’s rotation. From one day to the
next, when observed at the same time from the same location, the
moon’s position in the sky varies in predictable ways.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: sphere, illuminate, reflect, rotate, day/night
cycle (24-hour rotation period), horizon, orbit, revolve, month (one lunar
cycle), moon phase, new moon


GRADE 5

5.4 — Humans have the capacity to build and use tools to advance the quality of their lives.
Curriculum Expected

5.4.a. 1. People design optical tools (for example, binoculars, telescopes, 1. Generalize that optical tools, B24. Compare
Advances in eyeglasses or periscopes) that enable them to see things better or to such as binoculars, telescopes, and contrast
technology see what cannot be seen by human eyes alone. Optical tools change eyeglasses or periscopes, the structures
allow the path of light by reflecting or refracting it. change the path of light by of the human
individuals to reflecting or refracting it. eye with those
2. Throughout history new optical technologies have led to new
acquire new of the camera.
discoveries and understandings that change people’s lives. 2. Construct simple periscopes
information and telescopes, and analyze
about the 3. Periscopes allow people to see things that are not within their line of
how the placement of their
world. sight (for example, around corners, over walls, under a table, or above B25. Describe
lenses and mirrors affects the
the ocean’s surface from a submerged submarine). the uses of
quality of the image formed. different
4. Telescopes make distant objects appear larger (and therefore closer).
3. Evaluate the best optical instruments,
5. Magnifiers, such as hand lenses, microscopes or make-up mirrors, instrument to perform a given such as eye
make objects appear larger. task. glasses,
6. The shape of a lens or mirror (concave, convex or flat) affects the magnifiers,
4. Design and conduct simple
direction in which light travels: periscopes and
investigations to determine
telescopes, to
a. Telescopes focus light using a lens that refracts the light how the shape of a lens or
enhance our
(refracting telescope) or a curved mirror that reflects the light mirror (concave, convex, flat)
vision.
(reflecting telescope). affects the direction in which
light rays travel.
b. Periscopes use flat mirrors to reflect light to change its path.
5. Explain how eyeglasses or
c. Magnifying glasses use convex lenses to refract light so that contact lenses improve vision
objects appear larger. by changing the path of light
7. Some human eyes do not focus light properly onto the retina. to the retina.
Eyeglasses are lenses that improve vision by changing the path of 6. Analyze the similarities and
light (refracting it) so it forms an image on the retina. differences between structures

of the human eye and those of
8. Cameras have parts that function similarly to the human eye:
a simple camera.

HUMAN CAMERA FUNCTION
EYE
Eyelid Lens cap Protect interior parts

Pupil Lens opening Allow light to enter
dd(((aperture)
Cornea, Lens Focus light rays on a point
lens
Retina Film (or digital Respond to light resulting in
medium) an image

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: optical tool, hand lens, magnifying glass,
telescope, periscope, lens, mirror, concave, convex, reflect, refract, focus,
camera and eye parts (see chart above)


inquiry skills described below should be used by Grade 6-8 students as they learn the content described by each
Content Standard on the pages that follow.

Grades 6-8 Core Scientific Inquiry, Literacy and Numeracy


C INQ.1 Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigation.
C INQ.2 Read, interpret and examine the credibility of scientific claims in different sources of information.
C INQ.3 Design and conduct appropriate types of scientific investigations to answer different questions.
C INQ.4 Identify independent and dependent variables, and those variables that are kept constant, when
designing an experiment.
C INQ.5 Use appropriate tools and techniques to make observations and gather data.
C INQ.6 Use mathematical operations to analyze and interpret data.
C INQ.7 Identify and present relationships between variables in appropriate graphs.
C INQ.8 Draw conclusions and identify sources of error.
C INQ.9 Provide explanations to investigated problems or questions.
C INQ.10 Communicate about science in different formats, using relevant science vocabulary, supporting
evidence and clear logic.


GRADE 6

6.1 — Materials can be classified as pure substances or mixtures, depending on their chemical and physical properties.

Core Science Grade-Level Concepts Grade-Level Expectations CMT
Curriculum Students should understand that… Students should be able to… Expected
Framework Performances

6.1.a. Mixtures GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 6.1.a. 1. Distinguish between mass and C1. Describe
are made of density. the properties
combinations 1. Everything is made of matter. All matter has mass and takes up space of common
of elements (volume). Mass differs from weight in that it is unrelated to 2. Explain that density is a ratio elements, such
and/or gravitational forces. of mass to volume. Use as oxygen,
compounds, 2. Characteristic properties of matter, such as magnetic attraction, density to identify elements or hydrogen,
and they can be conductivity, density, boiling point, melting point and solubility, can be carbon, iron
separate mixtures.
separated by used to identify substances. Characteristic properties do not vary with and aluminum.
using a variety the amount of the substance. 3. Demonstrate that different
of physical
3. Mixtures are combinations of substances in which each substance substances float or sink in C2. Describe
means.
keeps its individual properties. In some mixtures, individual water depending on their how the
components can be seen (for example, rocks, twigs, insects and leaves density. properties of
6.1.b. Pure are visible components of soil); in other mixtures, the individual simple
substances can substances blend so well that they appear to be a single substance (for 4. Compare and contrast the compounds,
be either example, oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide are mixed together to properties of a metals, such as water
elements or form air). nonmetals and metalloids. and table salt,
compounds, 4. Mixtures can be separated using different methods, depending on the are different
and they physical properties of the component substances. Filtering, 5. Differentiate between a from the
cannot be evaporating, distilling, floating/settling, dissolving, and using magnets mixture and an element or properties of
broken down are all methods for separating mixtures based on the properties of their compound and identify the elements of
by physical components. which they are
examples.
means. made.
5. Solutions consist of solvents and solutes where the particles of the
6. Conduct and report on an
solute have dissolved and spread evenly throughout the solvent. The
capacity of a solvent to hold solute is usually limited. investigation that uses C3. Explain
physical means such particle how mixtures
size, density, solubility or can be

magnetism to separate separated by
substances in a mixture. using the
1. All matter is made of pure substances called elements. Each element properties of
consists of tiny particles called atoms. The atoms of an individual 7. Use the patterns in the the substances
element are similarly structured and have the same mass, while the Periodic Table to locate from which
atomic structure of every one of the elements is unique. metals, metalloids and they are made,
such as particle
2. The Periodic Table of Elements is used to organize the elements into nonmetals and to predict the
size, density,
groups or families that have similar properties. Element names are general characteristics of an solubility and
represented by letter symbols on the Periodic Table. element. boiling point.
3. Some elements, such as iron (“Fe”) and aluminum (“Al”), are classified
8. Compare and contrast physical
as metals because they have similar properties. Most metals are solid,
lustrous and good conductors of heat and electricity. and chemical changes, and use
evidence to support or refute a
4. Some elements, such as carbon (“C”), hydrogen (“H”), oxygen (“O”)
claim that a chemical reaction
and chlorine (“Cl”), are classified as nonmetals. Nonmetals can be
solids, liquids or gases and are usually not conductors of heat or has occurred.
electricity. Carbon is a common nonmetal that occurs in several
different forms (graphite, diamond, and coal), each of which has
distinct properties. Hydrogen and oxygen are nonmetals that are
similar in that they are both gases; however, each gas has distinct
properties such as reactivity or flammability.
5. Some elements, such as silicon or arsenic, are classified as metalloids.
These elements have some properties of metals and some properties of
nonmetals.
6. Atoms can bond together to make a molecule of a new substance called a
compound. A molecule is the smallest part of a compound and is made
of atoms of different elements in specific amounts. Unlike mixtures,
compounds cannot be separated into their component elements using
physical methods.
7. Compounds have different properties than the individual elements of
which they are made. For example, table salt (NaCl) and water (H20) are
compounds with different properties from the elements from which they
are made.
8. Chemical changes differ from physical changes in that atoms are
rearranged to form new substances or compounds. Some common
chemical reactions include rusting, burning, photosynthesis and the

reaction between vinegar and baking soda.
9. In a chemical reaction, the same amount of matter (mass) is present at
the start and the end.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: Characteristic property, mass, weight, volume,
density, solubility, saturated solution, boiling point, melting point,
homogeneous and heterogeneous mixtures, solution, solvent, solute, particle,
atom, element, molecule, compound, metal, nonmetal, metalloid, physical
change, chemical change.


Matter and Energy in Ecosystems — How do matter and energy flow through ecosystems?
GRADE 6

6.2 — An ecosystem is composed of all the populations that are living in a certain space and the physical factors with which they interact.

Curriculum Expected

6.2.a. GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 6.2.a. 1. Explain the interdependence C4. Describe
Populations in between biotic and abiotic how abiotic
ecosystems are 1. Ecosystems are complex interactions among living things and the factors, such as
features of the environment they inhabit. The environmental (abiotic) factors within a given
affected by temperature,
features of an environment determine the living (biotic) things that can ecosystem.
biotic factors, water and
such as other survive there. Environmental features include things such as soil, sunlight, affect
minerals, climate, water, sunlight, and wind. 2. Design and conduct a
populations, the ability of
scientific investigation to
and abiotic 2. Interactions among biotic and abiotic factors support the flow of plants to create
factors, such as explore the porosity and their own food
energy and cycling of materials such as oxygen, carbon dioxide and
soil and water nitrogen in ecosystems. permeability of soils and their through
supply. ability to support different photosynthesis.
3. Soil is a mixture of materials that includes weathered rocks and
plant life.
decomposed organic material, as well as air and water. Soils vary
6.2.b. from place to place. The composition of soils affects how air and 3. Present an oral or written C5. Explain
Populations in water move through the soil, and this influences the varieties of plants how
that can grow in it. argument to support the claim
ecosystems can that “The sun is the source of populations are
be categorized 4. Water is a mixture of materials that includes dissolved oxygen and affected by
energy to support life on
as producers, minerals as well as suspended sediments and debris. predator-prey
consumers and Earth.” relationships.
5. The quality and quantity of soil and water in an ecosystem affect the
decomposers
numbers and variety of plants and animals. 4. Investigate and report on the
of organic
matter. 6. Plants and animals within an ecosystem interact in various ways as effects of abiotic factors on a C6. Describe
they compete for limited resources (e.g., food, water, living space). plant’s ability to carry out common food
Relationships among organisms can be beneficial or harmful to one or photosynthesis. webs in
both organisms. different
5. Compare and contrast the Connecticut
7. Populations of species within an ecosystem are affected by the availability
energy transfers and matter ecosystems.
and quality of resources such as food, water, living space, or mates.

8. Predator-prey relationships contribute to controlling populations in an cycling among producers,
ecosystem. Increases or decreases in prey populations result in consumers and decomposers
corresponding increases or decreases in predator populations. A in varied Connecticut
balanced population of predators and prey increases the variety of ecosystems.
species (biodiversity) in an area.
6. Create and interpret graphs
9. Populations can be reduced or increased by environmental changes
caused by nature (e.g., droughts, forest fires or disease) and by that illustrate relationships
humans (climate change, land development or overhunting). between predator-prey
populations over time.
10. All organisms cause changes to the environment in which they live.
Some of the changes caused by organisms can be helpful to the 7. Evaluate the impacts of
ecosystem and others can be harmful.
environmental changes caused
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 6.2.b. by nature and by humans.
1. The sun is the main source of energy on Earth. During
photosynthesis, green plants use the energy of sunlight to change the
elements in carbon dioxide (CO 2) and water (H20) into materials
(simple carbohydrates) that are a source of energy for the plant to carry
on its life processes.
2. Photosynthesis is affected by abiotic factors such as amount of
sunlight, availability of water and air temperature.
3. Green plants are the producers in an ecosystem; they rely directly on
sunlight to produce the materials they use for energy.
4. Plants are a source of energy (food) and nutrients for animals that
consume them. Energy passed to consumers that eat plants came
indirectly from the sun as a result of photosynthesis. Some animals
consume plants, and other animals consume animals that eat plants in
predator-prey relationships.
5. Consumers are adapted for eating different foods: herbivores are
consumers that eat only plants; carnivores are consumers that eat only
animals; omnivores are consumers that eat both plants and animals.
6. Decomposers (mainly bacteria and fungi) consume dead plants and
animals and break down organic materials, returning nutrients to the
environment for reuse by other organisms.
7. Food chains are models that show how materials and energy are

transferred from producers to different levels of consumers in an
ecosystem. The basis of every food chain is the energy stored in
green plants.
8. Food webs are models that show the complex variety of energy
sources available to most consumers in an ecosystem.
9. Connecticut has forest and park ecosystems, as well as fresh water
and marine ecosystems that include a variety of plants and animals.
10. An energy pyramid is a model that shows the availability and use of
energy in an ecosystem. A large number of producers and primary
consumers support a smaller number of higher-level consumers due to
the consumption and loss of energy at each consumer level.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: ecosystem, interdependence, biodiversity,
organism, population, biotic factor, abiotic factor, food chain,
photosynthesis, producer, consumer, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, food
web, predator, prey


Energy in the earth’s systems — How do external and internal sources of energy affect the earth’s systems?
GRADE 6

6.3 — Variations in the amount of the sun’s energy hitting the earth’s surface affects daily and seasonal weather patterns.

Curriculum Expected

6.3.a. Local 1. Earth is surrounded by layers of gases (atmosphere) that influence the 1. Compare the composition and C7. Describe
and regional environmental conditions on its surface. Earth’s atmosphere (air) is a functions of the earth’s the effect of
weather are mixture of different amounts of gases (mainly nitrogen and oxygen, atmospheric layers. heating on the
affected by the along with small amounts of carbon dioxide, water vapor and other movement of
2. Explain how changes in
amount of gases). molecules in
temperature, pressure, moisture
solar energy solids, liquids
2. Weather on Earth is caused by the daily changes in the temperature, and density of air create
the area and gases.
pressure and amount of moisture in the lower atmosphere. weather.
receives and
proximity to a 3. Climate is the long-term conditions experienced by different regions on 3. Describe differences between
large body of earth, and is influenced by the amount of solar energy penetrating the climate and weather. C8. Explain
water. atmosphere to reach Earth’s surface. how local
4. Demonstrate the arrangement
weather
4. The atmosphere allows solar energy to pass through it and reach Earth’s and motion of atoms or
conditions are
surface. Carbon dioxide and water vapor in the atmosphere absorb some molecules in solids, liquids and
related to the
of the outgoing heat energy, preventing it from going back into space. gases.
temperature,
5. The molecules that make up all matter are in constant motion. Solids, 5. Predict the phase change that pressure and
liquids and gases differ in the movement and arrangements of their will result from the absorption water content
molecules. Molecules in gases move randomly and independently of one or release of heat energy by of the
another. Molecules in liquids move around each other randomly, but are solids, liquids or gases. atmosphere
loosely held together by an attraction force. Molecules in solids are and the
6. Create models or diagrams that
closely locked in a patterned position and can only vibrate back and proximity to a
demonstrate how solar energy
forth. The closer the molecules, the greater their density. large body of
drives different phases of the
6. When heat energy is added to a substance, its molecules move faster and water cycle. water.
spread apart from each other. When heat energy is removed, molecules 7. Design, conduct and report in
move slower and come closer together. writing an investigation to C9. Explain
7. Matter changes state (phase change) due to the absorption or release of heat compare the heat absorption how the
energy. If enough heat energy is absorbed, the molecules of a solid and release rates of water and

overcome the forces holding them together, move farther apart and change earth materials. uneven heating
to a liquid state (melt); molecules of a liquid may change to a gas of the earth’s
8. Compare and contrast
(vaporize). Conversely, if enough heat energy is released to the surface causes
conditions that cause local sea
surroundings, then molecules of gases will move closer together and winds and
breezes/land breezes and global
become liquid (condensation) or solid (freezing). affects the
wind patterns.
seasons.
8. Solar energy is absorbed by different surfaces on the earth and radiated 9. Predict the type of weather that
back to warm the atmosphere. Land absorbs solar energy at a faster rate, may result given certain cloud
and releases it at a faster rate, than water. Air temperature above the land types, warm and cold fronts and
or water depends on the amount of solar radiation absorbed. air pressure.
9. Air molecules constantly press on and around objects on Earth (air 10. Explain the causes of
pressure). Due to the pull of Earth’s gravity, air pressure close to Earth’s temperature differences
surface is always greater than air higher in the atmosphere. Temperature between coastal and inland
of air molecules affects their density. Cool, dense air molecules sink and areas.
exert greater pressure on Earth; warm, less dense air molecules exert less
pressure on Earth’s surface and rise.
10. Wind is caused by air moving from areas of high pressure to low
pressure. Local winds result from air pressure differences caused by
uneven heating of land and water. Near coastal areas, land and sea
breezes change predictably during the day/night cycle due to temperature
differences above land and water.
11. Global winds are caused by the rising of warm equatorial air and the
sinking of cold polar air.
12. Water on Earth evaporates into the atmosphere (humidity) driven by
energy from the sun. Higher temperature causes more evaporation.
Clouds form when warm, moist air evaporates, rises and cools, causing
its molecules to condense onto tiny dust particles suspended in the air.
Different cloud formations are associated with different weather.
13. Weather on Earth is caused by daily variations in the temperature,
pressure and humidity of different bodies of air (air masses). Decreasing
air pressure usually indicates that cloudy, wet weather is approaching.
Increasing air pressure usually indicates that clear, dry weather is
approaching.
14. Areas of warm air meet areas of cold air at a “front.” Precipitation
generally results where a cold and a warm air mass meet. Areas of cold
air move under areas of warm air, forcing the warm air to rise, cool and

condense to form clouds; areas of warm air move above areas of cold air,
causing warm air to rise, cool and condense to form clouds.
15. Connecticut weather is influenced by its closeness to the Atlantic Ocean
and Long Island Sound. Water temperature causes coastal temperatures
to be cooler in summer and warmer in winter than temperatures inland.
16. Connecticut often has rapidly changing weather because three patterns of
moving air interact here: cold, dry air from the north, warm, moist air
from the Atlantic Ocean coastline, and air moving across the US from
west to east.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: molecule, dense, solid, liquid, gas, phase
change, condense, evaporate, air pressure, humidity, air mass, cold/warm
front, precipitation, global wind, sea breeze, land breeze


GRADE 6

6.4 — Water moving across and through earth materials carries with it the products of human activities.

Curriculum Expected

6.4.a Most 1. Water is essential for life and is a distinguishing feature of Earth among 1. Discuss and chart the reasons C10. Explain
precipitation the planets in our solar system. Humans and other organisms use water why water is essential for life. the role of
that falls on in various ways. septic and
2. Observe, analyze and record
Connecticut sewage
2. The surface of Earth is largely covered with water, most of which is the unique physical and
eventually saltwater found in oceans. Only freshwater is drinkable, and it is found chemical properties of water. systems on the
reaches Long quality of
on the land (surface water), beneath the ground (groundwater), and
Island Sound. 3. Research the differences in surface and
frozen in glaciers. quantities between fresh ground water.
3. Water is a universal solvent that dissolves and carries many substances water (solid and liquid) and
through the environment (for example, acid rain, calcium, carbon salt water covering the earth’s
dioxide, oxygen, salt, metals, etc.). Many substances that are dissolved surface and report on the C11. Explain
in water may be either harmful (pollutants) or beneficial to organisms impact to humans. how human
(minerals, oxygen, nutrients). Water temperature affects its ability to activity may
4. Investigate and explain in
dissolve substances such as oxygen and salt. writing how substances, both impact water
resources in
4. Some water that falls to Earth as precipitation soaks into the ground, harmful and beneficial,
some evaporates almost immediately, and some moves across earth’s dissolve in and are carried by Connecticut,
such as ponds,
surfaces filling streams, rivers and reservoirs. Factors affecting whether surface and ground water.
rivers and the
water seeps into the ground include the amount of rainfall, the length of 5. Use appropriate maps to Long Island
time it falls, the permeability of the ground surface and subsurface, the locate and identify the major Sound
saturation of the soil, and the steepness (slope) of the land. watersheds that drain into ecosystem.
5. Water moving beneath the earth’s surface is influenced by size of and Long Island Sound and
spaces between the particles in rock and soils. analyze how the topography
influences the way water
6. Water moving across the earth’s surface is affected by the shape and
moves in the Long Island
slope of the land and the properties of the surface materials it encounters.


The area draining into a river system or other body of water is a Sound watershed.
watershed. Folds and faults in Connecticut’s landform cause water to
6. Research and evaluate in
move generally from north to south, eventually draining into Long Island writing the effects of
Sound. common point and nonpoint
7. Water moving through a watershed picks up, suspends or dissolves water pollutants in
various substances produced by nature and by human activities. The Connecticut.
quality and usability of water depend on what materials have been 7. Compare and contrast the
picked up, carried and concentrated in the water. general structures, processes
8. Water quality is important to support a variety of aquatic life and for and limitations of a septic
human consumption. Water quality is evaluated by measuring indicators system to a secondary
such as levels of dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity and the presence of wastewater treatment plant.
other dissolved substances. Substances such as heavy metals (e.g., lead 8. Debate the effectiveness of a
and aluminum), sulfur, fertilizers, and road salt are pollutants that may law designed to protect water
be dissolved in surface water or ground water, making the water resources.
unhealthy.
9. Water entering Long Island Sound carries with it the products of human
use. These pollutants negatively impact the aquatic life, commercial and
recreational uses of the Sound.
10. Point source pollution, such as untreated sewage, industrial or
recreational waste, can be discharged directly into the Sound if it is not
regulated and controlled.
11. Nonpoint source pollution is difficult to trace or control because it
originates across the large watershed area that drains into Long Island
Sound. A major contaminant reaching Long Island Sound by way of
watersheds is nitrogen.

12. Drinking water may come from groundwater sources accessed by
drilling wells, or from surface water reservoirs.

13. People’s use of water adds waste products and harmful materials to the
water which must be removed before returning the water to the
environment. Wastewater can be purified using various physical,
biological and chemical processes.

14. Septic systems use settling and bacterial digestion to break down wastes
in a holding tank; then the water is further purified as it is spread across


a leaching field and percolates through layers of soil.

15. Sewage treatment facilities are required in densely populated areas.
Sewage treatment facilities use multiple filtration, biological and
chemical methods to purify water before returning the water to the
environment.

16. Laws, regulations and remedial actions have helped to protect and
restore water resources.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: surface water, ground water, fresh water, salt
water, pollutant, watershed, point source pollution, nonpoint source
pollution, well, septic system, wastewater


GRADE 7

7.1 — Energy provides the ability to do work and can exist in many forms.

Curriculum Expected

7.1.a. Work is GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 7.1.a. 1. Calculate work done on an C12. Explain
the process of object as force or distance the relationship
making objects 1. In order for an object to change its motion, a push/pull (force) must be varies. among, force,
move through applied over a distance. distance and
2. Explain in writing how the six
the application 2. Work is a scientific concept that expresses the mathematical relationship work, and use
simple machines make work
of force. between the amount of force needed to move an object and how far it the relationship
easier but do not alter the
moves. For work to be done, a force must be applied for a distance in (W = F x D) to
amount of work done on an
the same direction as the motion. An object that does not move has no calculate work
object.
7.1.b. Energy work done on it, even if forces are being applied. done in lifting
can be stored 3. Determine ways to modify a heavy objects.
in many forms 3. Work (measured in joules) is calculated by multiplying the force simple machine (inclined
and can be (measured in newtons) times the distance (measured in meters). When plane, pulley and lever) to
transformed an object is lifted, the work done is the product of the force of gravity improve its mechanical C13. Explain
into the energy (weight) times the height the object is lifted. The amount of work done is advantage. how simple
of motion. increased if more force is applied or if the object is moved a greater machines, such
distance. 4. Defend the statement, “Work
as inclined
output of a machine is always
4. Simple machines can be used to do work. People do “input” work on a less than work input because planes, pulleys
simple machine which, in turn, does “output” work in moving an object. of energy lost due to friction.” and levers, are
Simple machines are not used to change the amount of work to move or used to create
lift an object; rather, simple machines change the amount of effort force 5. Design and create a working mechanical
and distance for the simple machine to move the object. compound machine from advantage.
several simple machines.
5. Simple machines work on the principle that a small force applied over a
long distance is equivalent work to a large force applied over a short 6. Use a diagram or model of a
C14. Describe
distance. moving object (roller coaster,
how different
pendulum, etc.) to describe the
6. Some simple machines are used to move or lift an object over a greater types of stored
conversion of potential energy
output distance (snow shovel), or change direction of an object’s motion, into kinetic energy and vice (potential)

but most are used to reduce the amount of effort (input force) required to versa. energy can be
lift or move an object (output force). used to make
7. Discuss different forms of
objects move.
7. An inclined plane is a simple machine that reduces the effort force energy and describe how they
needed to raise an object to a given height. The effort force and distance can be converted from one
and output force and distance depend on the length and height form to another for use by
(steepness) of the inclined plane. humans (e.g., thermal,
electrical, light, chemical,
8. A pulley is a simple machine that reduces the effort force needed to lift a
mechanical).
heavy object by applying the force through a greater distance (pulling
more rope through the pulley). The effort force and distance, output 8. Trace energy conversions that
force and distance, and direction of motion all depend on the number of occur in the human body.
pulleys and their position. 9. Calculate potential and kinetic
9. A lever is a simple machine that reduces the effort force needed to lift a energy and relate those
heavy object by applying the force at a greater distance from the fulcrum quantities to total energy in a
of the lever. The effort force and distance, output force and distance, system.
and direction of motion all depend on the position of the fulcrum in
relationship to the input and output forces.
10. The mechanical advantage of a simple machine indicates how useful the
machine is for performing a given task by comparing the output force to
the input force. The mechanical advantage is the number of times a
machine multiplies the effort force. The longer the distance over which
the effort force is applied, the greater the mechanical advantage of the
machine.
11. The mechanical advantage of a machine can be calculated by dividing
the resistance force by the effort force. Usually, the resistance force is
the weight of the object in newtons.
12. Simple machines always produce less work output than work put in
because some motion energy is converted to heat and sound energy by
friction.


1. Energy is indirectly observed as the ability to exert pulls or pushes.
2. Potential energy is the capacity for doing work that a body possesses
because of its position or condition. It is evident as gravitational


potential energy (an object about to roll down a hill), elastic potential
energy (a stretched rubber band) or chemical potential energy
(carbohydrates in foods).
3. Kinetic energy is energy a body possesses because it is in motion.
4. Energy can be changed (transformed) from one form to another. For
example, potential chemical energy of foods, which is often measured in
calories, is transformed by cells into heat, electrical and kinetic energy
used in the body.
5. When energy is transformed, the total amount of energy stays constant
(is conserved).
6. Work is done to lift an object, giving it gravitational potential energy
(weight x height). The gravitational potential energy of an object
moving down a hill is transformed into kinetic energy as it moves,
reaching maximum kinetic energy at the bottom of the hill.
7. Some kinetic energy is always transformed into heat by friction;
therefore, the object will never reach the same height it started from
again without added energy.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: force, friction, gravity, weight, newton, scale,
work, joule, effort (input) force, output force, simple machine, lever,
fulcrum, pulley, inclined plane, mechanical advantage, energy, potential
energy, kinetic energy, energy transformation, conservation of energy


GRADE 7

7.2 — Many organisms, including humans, have specialized organ systems that interact with each other to maintain dynamic internal balance.

Curriculum Expected

7.2.a. All GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 7.2.a. 1. Compare and contrast living C15. Describe
organisms are organisms that are single the basic
composed of 1. Living things have characteristics that distinguish them from celled with multicellular structures of an
one or more nonliving things. Living things use energy, respond to their organisms. animal cell,
cells; each cell environment, grow and develop, produce waste and reproduce. including the
2. Illustrate and describe in
carries on life- 2. Organisms are made of tiny cells that perform the basic life nucleus,
writing the structure and the
sustaining functions and keep the organism alive. Many organisms (for cytoplasm,
function of the cell
functions. example yeast, algae) are single-celled, and many organisms (for mitochondria
membrane, cytoplasm,
example plants, fungi and animals) are made of millions of cells and cell
mitochondria and nucleus in
that work in coordination. membrane, and
an animal cell.
7.2.b. how they
Multicellular 3. All cells come from other cells and they hold the genetic 3. Explain how the structure and function to
organisms need information needed for cell division and growth. When a body cell function of multicellular support life.
specialized reaches a certain size, it divides into two cells, each of which organisms (animals) is
structures and contains identical genetic information. This cell division process is dependent on the interaction
systems to called mitosis. of cells, tissues, organs and C16. Describe
perform basic 4. The cell is filled with a fluid called cytoplasm; cells contain discrete organ systems. the structures of
life functions. membrane-enclosed structures called organelles that perform the human
4. Investigate and explain in
specific functions that support the life of the organism. The digestive,
writing the basic structure
structure of the organelle is related to its function. respiratory and
and function of the human
circulatory
 The nucleus contains the genetic materials (chromosomes), and it skeletal system.
systems and
directs the cell activities, growth and division. 5. Differentiate between the explain how
 The mitochondrion contains enzymes that break down sugars and structures and range of they function to
release chemical energy. One cell can contain hundreds of motion associated with ball, bring oxygen
mitochondria. socket and hinge joints and and nutrients to
relate human joints to simple the cells and
 The entire cell is surrounded by the plasma membrane that

controls the flow of materials into and out of the cell. machines. expel waste
materials.
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 7.2.b. 6. Demonstrate how the
muscles, tendons, ligaments
1. Systems consist of parts that interact with and influence each other. and bones interact to support
Parts of a system work together to make the whole entity work. C17. Explain
the human body and allow
Similarly, each part of an animal body has a specific job to do, and how the human
movement.
all the different parts work together to support life. musculoskeletal
7. Label the major parts of the system supports
2. Although all cells have similar basic structures, in multicellular human respiratory system and the body and
organisms cells have specialized shapes that enable them to perform explain in writing the allows
specific roles (for example, muscle, nerve, and skin cells can be function of each part (nasal movement.
identified by their distinct shapes). cavity, trachea, bronchi, lungs
3. Groups of similar cells are organized in tissues that have specific and diaphragm).
functions (for example, providing support, connecting parts, 8. Label the major parts of the
carrying messages, protecting internal and external surfaces). human circulatory system and
4. Different tissues work together to form an organ, and organs work explain in writing the
together as organ systems to perform essential life functions. function of each part (heart,
veins, arteries and
5. The human skeletal system includes bones joined together by
capillaries).
ligaments. The skeletal system functions to shape and support the
body, protect internal organs, enable movement, form blood cells, 9. Design and conduct
and store minerals such as calcium and phosphorous. controlled variable
experiments to analyze the
6. Joints are places where two bones come together and body
interaction between the
movement can occur. The structure of a joint (for example, ball and
circulatory and respiratory
socket, hinge or pivot) determines the kind of movement possible at
systems as the demand for
that point.
oxygen changes.
7. The human muscular system includes skeletal, smooth and cardiac
10. Label the major parts of the
muscles. The skeletal muscles are attached to bones by tendons and
human digestive system and
they are responsible for the movement of the body. The cardiac
explain in writing the
muscle is responsible for the pumping action of the heart and the
function of each part in the
smooth muscles are related to the movement of the internal organs.
chemical and physical
8. The muscular and skeletal systems interact to support the body and breakdown of food (mouth,
allow movement. esophagus, stomach, small
9. The major parts of the human respiratory system are the nose, intestine, large intestine and
trachea, bronchi and lungs. This system is responsible for breathing rectum).
and exchange of gases between the body and its surroundings.


10. The major parts of the human circulatory system are the heart,
arteries, veins and capillaries. The right side of the heart pumps
blood to the lungs for gas exchange; the left side of the heart pumps
the oxygenated blood around the body.
11. The blood is made of plasma, red and white blood cells, and
platelets. Its main role is to carry small food molecules and
respiratory gases (oxygen and carbon dioxide) to and from cells.
Blood cells are also responsible for destroying invading particles,
preventing diseases, and stopping bleeding after injuries.
12. The respiratory and circulatory systems work together to provide all
cells with oxygen and nutrients. When the body’s need for oxygen
changes, the circulatory and respiratory systems respond by
increasing or decreasing breathing and heart rates. These changes
can be measured by counting breaths, heartbeats or pulses per
minute.
13. The major parts of the human digestive system are the mouth,
esophagus, stomach, small intestine and large intestine. This system
is responsible for breaking down food, absorbing nutrients and
water, and eliminating waste. The liver and pancreas support the
functions of the major digestive organs by producing and releasing
digestive liquids into the digestive tract.
14. The nervous, immune and excretory systems interact with the
digestive, respiratory and circulatory systems to maintain the body’s
dynamic internal balance (homeostasis).

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: structure, function, cell, mitosis, organelle,
cytoplasm, nucleus, cell membrane, mitochondrion, tissue, organ, system


Energy in the earth’s systems — How do external and internal sources of energy affect the earth’s systems?
GRADE 7

7.3 — Landforms are the result of the interaction of constructive and destructive forces over time.

Curriculum Expected

7.3.a. Volcanic GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 7.3.a. 1. Illustrate and describe in C18. Describe
activity and the writing the composition of how folded and
folding and 1. Earth’s surface features, such as mountains, volcanoes and continents, the three major layers of the faulted rock
faulting of rock are the constantly changing result of dynamic processes and forces at earth’s interior. layers provide
layers during work inside the earth. evidence of
2. Explain how Earth’s internal
the shifting of 2. The solid Earth has a core, mantle and crust, each with distinct gradual up and
energy is transferred to move
the earth’s properties. down motion
tectonic plates.
crust affect the of the earth’s
formation of 3. Earth’s crust is broken into different “tectonic plates” that float on 3. Demonstrate the processes of crust.
mountains, molten rock and move very slowly. Continental drift is driven by folding and faulting of the
ridges and convection currents in the hot liquid mantle beneath the crust. earth’s crust.
valleys. 4. The presence of plant and animal fossils of the same age found around C19. Explain
4. Correlate common geological
different continent shores, along with the matching coastline shapes of how glaciation,
features/events (deep sea
continental land masses, provides evidence that the continents were once weathering and
trenches, mountains,
7.3.b. joined. erosion create
earthquakes, volcanoes) with
Glaciation, and shape
5. Tectonic plates meet and interact at divergent, convergent or transform the location of plate
weathering and valleys and
boundaries. The way in which the plates interact at a boundary affects boundaries.
erosion change floodplains.
the earth’s outcomes such as folding, faulting, uplift or earthquakes. 5. Examine and compare
surface by 6. The folding and faulting of rock layers during the shifting of the earth’s geological features that result
moving earth crust causes the constructive formation of mountains, ridges and valleys. from constructive forces C20. Explain
materials from shaping the surface of the how the
place to place. 7. Mountain formation can be the result of convergent tectonic plates earth over time (e.g., boundaries of
colliding, such as the Appalachians and the Himalayas; mountains may mountains, ridges, volcanoes) tectonic plates
also be formed as a result of divergent tectonic plates moving apart and with geological features that can be inferred
causing rifting as in East Africa or Connecticut. result from destructive forces from the
8. Most volcanoes and earthquakes are located at tectonic plate boundaries shaping the surface of the location of


where plates come together or move apart from each other. A earth over time. earthquakes
geographic plot of the location of volcanoes and the centers of and volcanoes.
6. Analyze and interpret data
earthquakes allows us to locate tectonic plate boundaries. about the location, frequency
9. The geological makeup of Connecticut shows evidence of various earth and intensity of earthquakes.
processes, such as continental collisions, rifting, and folding that have 7. Compare and contrast the
shaped its structure major agents of erosion and
deposition of sediments:
running water, moving ice,
wave action, wind and mass
1. Earth’s surface is constantly being shaped and reshaped by natural movement due to gravity.
processes. Some of these processes, like earthquakes and volcanic 8. Investigate and determine
eruptions, produce dramatic and rapid change. Others, like weathering how glaciers form and affect
and erosion, usually work less conspicuously over longer periods of the earth’s surface as they
time. change over time.
2. Glaciers form in areas where annual snowfall is greater than the seasonal 9. Distinguish between
melt, resulting in a gradual build-up of snow and ice from one season to weathering and erosion.
the next.
10. Observe and report on the
3. Glaciers increase and decrease in size over long periods of time, geological events that are
depending on variations in Earth’s climate. responsible for having shaped
4. Glaciers move slowly, spreading outward across a region or moving Connecticut’s landscape.
down a slope.
5. Moving glaciers reshape the land beneath them by scraping, carving,
transporting and depositing soil and rock.
6. Glacial landforms have identifiable shapes. Connecticut’s landscape
provides many examples of glacial movement and deposition.
7. Weathering and erosion work together as destructive natural forces.
Both are forces that break down rock into small particles called
sediments.
8. Weathering is caused by physical, chemical or biological means. Rock
properties, such as hardness, porosity or mineral content, influence
susceptibility to weathering.
9. Erosion loosens and transports sediment formed by weathering. Moving
water and wind cause changes to existing landforms and create new


landforms such as valleys, floodplains, plateaus, canyons, caves or
dunes.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: erosion, weathering, glacier, valley, floodplain,
core, mantle, folds, fault/fault line, continent, tectonic plate, plate boundary,
convection, mountains, volcano, earthquake


GRADE 7

7.4 — Technology allows us to improve food production and preservation, thus improving our ability to meet the nutritional needs of
growing populations.

Curriculum Expected

7.4.a. Various GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 7.4.a. 1. Investigate and describe in C21. Describe
microbes writing different types of how freezing,
compete with 1. Microorganisms (microbes) are microscopic organisms, such as bacteria, microbes and the dehydration,
humans for the yeast and mold, that are found almost everywhere: in air, soil and water, environmental conditions pickling and
same sources inside our bodies and in our foods. necessary for their survival. irradiation
of food. 2. Bacteria are single-celled organisms that differ from other single-celled prevent food
2. Describe the optimum
organisms in that they do not have organelles such as a nucleus, spoilage
conditions for rapid bacterial
mitochondrion or chloroplast. caused by
growth.
microbes.
3. Bacteria are an essential component of any food web because they break 3. Illustrate and describe the
down complex organic matter into simple materials used by plants. structural differences between
Some bacteria can produce their own food through photosynthesis and bacterial and animal cells.
others are consumers that compete for foods that humans eat.
4. Discover and discuss how
4. Some bacteria can be beneficial to humans. Certain bacteria live humans use bacteria to
symbiotically in the digestive tracts of animals (including humans) and produce food and identify
help break down food. Other bacteria are used by humans to purify waste examples.
water and to produce foods such as cheese and yogurt.
5. Compare and contrast the role
5. Some bacteria are harmful to humans. They can spoil food, contaminate of bacteria in food production
water supplies and cause infections and illness. and food spoilage.
6. Food preservation methods create conditions that kill bacteria or inhibit 6. Evaluate and report how each
their growth by interfering with the bacterium’s life processes. Food method of food preservation
preservation methods include removing moisture by dehydration or including dehydration,
salting, removing oxygen by vacuum-packing, lowering pH by pickling, pickling, irradiation and
lowering temperature by refrigerating or freezing, and destroying the refrigeration works to stop or

bacterial cells by irradiation or heat (pasteurizing and cooking). inhibit bacterial growth and
give examples of each.
7. Throughout history, humans have developed different methods to ensure
the availability of safe food and water to people around the world.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: microbe, bacteria, single-celled organism,
dehydration, pickling, irradiation


Force and Motion — What makes objects move the way they do?
GRADE 8

8.1 — An object’s inertia causes it to continue to move the way it is moving unless it is acted upon by a force.

Curriculum Expected

8.1.a. The GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 8.1.a. 1. Demonstrate how forces, C22. Calculate
motion of an including friction, act upon an the average
object can be 1. An object is said to be in motion when its position changes in relation to object to change its position speed of a
described by a point of reference. An object’s motion can be described and over time in relation to a moving object
its position, represented graphically according to its position, direction of motion, fixed point of reference. and illustrate
direction of and speed. the motion of
2. Calculate the average speed
motion and 2. Speed describes the change in an object’s position over a period of time, of an object and distinguish objects in
speed. and is measured in units such as meters per second or miles per hour. graphs of
between instantaneous speed
Velocity takes into account an object’s speed and the direction of its and average speed of an distance over
motion. time.
object.
8.1.b. An
unbalanced 3. Average speed takes into account the different speeds at which an object 3. Create and interpret distance-
force acting on moves over a period of time. Average speed is calculated by dividing time graphs for objects C23. Describe
an object the total distance traveled by the change in time, regardless of any moving at constant and the qualitative
changes its changes in motion or direction during its travel. nonconstant speeds. relationships
speed and/or 4. Motion of objects can be represented on a distance vs. time line graph, among force,
4. Predict the motion of an
direction of with distance traveled as the vertical (“y”) axis and time as the horizontal object given the magnitude mass and
motion. (“x”) axis. The slope (steepness) at any point of this line depends on the and direction of forces acting changes in
instantaneous speed of the moving object. A straight horizontal line motion.
upon it (net force).
indicates an object at rest.
8.1.c. Objects 5. Investigate and demonstrate
moving in GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 8.1.b. how unbalanced forces cause C24. Describe
circles must 1. For an object’s motion to change, a force must be applied over a acceleration (change in speed the forces
experience distance. The change in motion due to this force is acceleration. and/or direction of an object’s acting on an
force acting Acceleration describes the change in an object’s velocity over time. motion). object moving
toward the in a circular
2. Forces can act between objects that are in direct contact, or they can act 6. Assess in writing the
center. path.
relationship between an

over a distance. There are forces of attraction and forces of repulsion. object’s mass and its inertia
Forces are measured in newtons or pounds using scales or other when at rest and in motion.
instruments. 7. Express mathematically how
3. Forces act simultaneously on an object from all directions with different the mass of an object and the
strengths (magnitudes). The net force is the single resultant force when force acting on it affect its
all the forces acting on an object are added together. If the net force is acceleration.
zero (forces are balanced), then the object will not accelerate. Objects 8. Design and conduct an
accelerate due to an unbalanced net force. Balanced forces keep an experiment to determine how
object moving with the same velocity, including remaining at rest. gravity and friction (air
4. There is a proportional relationship between the mass of an object and resistance) affect a falling
the magnitude of the force needed to change its velocity. If a net force is object.
applied to objects of different masses, then the object with the larger 9. Illustrate how the circular
mass will have a smaller change in velocity. motion of an object is caused
5. The net force acting on an object can be determined by measuring its by a center seeking force
mass and change in velocity. (centripetal force) resulting in
the object’s constant
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 8.1.c (see Standard 8.3) acceleration.
1. Circular motion results when a net unbalanced force is constant in
magnitude and always points toward the center of a circle.
2. Without a net center-pulling (centripetal) force, objects will continue to
move in a straight line in a constant direction.
3. Objects in orbit around a larger body maintain their orbits due to the
center-pulling gravitational pull of the larger body.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: motion, point of reference, speed, constant
speed, average speed, position-time graph, slope, force, friction, gravity,
inertia, mass, acceleration, balanced/unbalanced forces, net force, circular
motion


GRADE 8

8.2 — Reproduction is a characteristic of living systems and it is essential for the continuation of every species.

Curriculum Expected

8.2.a. Heredity GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 8.2.a. 1. Relate the continued existence C25. Explain
is the passage of any species to its successful the differences
of genetic 1. Living organisms must reproduce to continue the existence of their reproduction and explain in in cell division
information species. Through reproduction new individuals that resemble their writing the factors that in somatic and
from one parents are formed. All the organisms alive today arose from contribute to successful germ cells.
generation to preexisting organisms. reproduction.
another. 2. All the cells in a multicellular organism result from a single fertilized 2. Describe the structure, location
egg cell, through a process of continuous cell divisions (mitosis). C26. Describe
and function of chromosomes,
Instructions for how an organism develops are stored in DNA the structure
genes and DNA and how they
8.2.b. Some of molecules, which are part of the chromosomes inside the cell nucleus. and function of
relate to each other in the living
the the male and
3. The chromosomes occur in matching pairs, and each cell in a cell.
characteristics female human
of an organism multicellular organism contains the number of chromosomes that are 3. Illustrate and chart the purpose, reproductive
are inherited typical of that species. For example, cells in human beings contain 23 cell type (somatic and germ) systems,
and some result pairs of chromosomes. and resulting chromosome including the
from 4. Organisms grow by increasing the number of body cells. During count during cell division in process of egg
interactions mitosis, a body cell first duplicates the chromosomes and then divides mitosis and meiosis. and sperm
with the into two identical daughter cells, each one with a complete set of development.
4. Identify the major structures in
environment. chromosomes. human male and female
5. Most multicellular organisms reproduce by sexual reproduction, in reproductive systems and C27. Describe
which new cells are produced by the combination of two germ cells explain where meiosis and
how genetic
(gametes). During meiosis, matching chromosomes in each pair gamete formation take place. information is
separate from each other so that each germ cell contains only half of 5. Investigate and report on the organized in
the chromosomes of the original cell. role of hormone production as genes on
6. Mitosis and meiosis are similar processes in that they both result in the it initiates and regulates the chromosomes,
separation of existing cells into new ones. They differ in that the germ creation of male and female and explain sex


cells produced during meiosis have only one copy of each germ cells from birth through determination
chromosome. When two germ cells unite during fertilization, the adolescence and into adulthood. in humans.
resulting zygote has two copies of each chromosome, one from each 6. Compare and contrast the
parent, ensuring maternal and paternal genetic contribution. events and processes that occur
7. Meiosis and gamete formation take place in the reproductive organs; when a human egg is fertilized
testes in males produce the sperm and ovaries in females produce the or not fertilized.
eggs. 7. Demonstrate the relationship of
8. In humans, the reproductive organs are in place at birth, but are readied corresponding genes on pairs of
to perform their reproductive functions by hormones released during chromosomes to traits inherited
adolescence. Males produce millions of sperm over the course of their by offspring.
adult life. Females are born with a finite number of immature eggs in 8. Describe in writing the role of
the ovaries that are released one at a time in a monthly cycle. the germ cells in the formation
9. In humans, if an egg is fertilized by a sperm in the female’s fallopian of the human zygote and its
tube, the resulting zygote may develop into a fetus in the female uterus. resulting 23 pairs of
If the egg is not fertilized, it will leave the female’s body in a monthly chromosomes, the 23rd of
discharge of the uterine lining (menstrual cycle). which determines gender and
the other 22 of which determine
10. A segment of DNA that holds the information for a specific trait is
the characteristics of that
called a gene. Each chromosome in a pair carries the same genes in
offspring.
the same place, but there are different versions of each gene.
11. In sexual reproduction, offspring of the same parents will have
different combinations of genes and traits, creating genetic variability
within the species. Sexual reproduction is the basis for the evolution of
living organisms.
1. Gender in humans is a trait determined by genes carried by a special
pair of chromosomes identified as “X” and “Y”. Female gametes have
only an “X” chromosome; male gametes can have either an “X” or a
“Y”. The sperm that fertilizes the egg determines the sex of the
offspring: a zygote containing two X chromosomes will develop into a
female and a zygote containing X and Y chromosomes will develop
into a male.
2. Most human traits are inherited from parents, but some are the result of
environmental conditions. For example, eating and exercising habits
may affect the body mass and shape of individuals in the same family.


KEY CONCEPT WORDS: multicellular organism, heredity, trait,
chromosome, gene, DNA, species, mitosis, meiosis, gamete, adolescence,
hormone, testes, sperm, ovary, egg, fallopian tube, uterus


Earth in the Solar System — How does the position of Earth in the solar system affect conditions on our planet?
GRADE 8

8.3 — The solar system is composed of planets and other objects that orbit the sun.

Curriculum Expected

8.3.a. Gravity GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 8.3.a. 1. Describe in writing how C28. Explain
is the force that gravitational attraction and the the effect of
governs the 1. Earth is part of a system of celestial bodies that are grouped together inertia of objects in the solar gravity on the
motions of around a central star, the Sun. This system includes objects of different system keep them on a orbital
objects in the masses and composition such as planets, moons, asteroids, minor predictable elliptical pathway. movements of
solar system. planets, and comets. These objects move in predictable paths planets in the
determined by gravity. 2. Distinguish between rotation
solar system.
of Earth on its axis and its
2. Gravity is a force of attraction between two objects. The strength of elliptical revolution around
8.3.b. The gravitational force depends on the total mass of the two objects and the the sun.
motion of the distance between them. The greater the total mass, the greater the force C29. Explain
earth and moon of gravity. The greater the distance between two objects, the less the 3. Use models to explain how how the
relative to the force of gravity. Earth’s revolution around the relative motion
sun causes sun affects changes in and relative
daily, monthly 3. The difference between an object’s mass and its weight is explained by daylight hours and seasonal position of the
and yearly gravity. Mass is the measure of the amount of matter in an object; temperatures. sun, Earth and
cycles on the weight is the force of gravity between an object and the celestial body it moon affect the
is on. Bodies in the solar system have different masses; therefore the 4. Compare the revolution times
earth. seasons, phases
same object has a different weight on each celestial body. of planets and relate them to
of the moon
distance from the sun.
4. Objects in the solar system are held in their predictable paths by the and eclipses.
center-pulling gravitational attraction of the very massive sun. The 5. Design and conduct a
interaction of the center-pulling force of gravity with a moving object’s scientific simulation to
inertia (tendency to keep moving) keeps a less massive object (e.g., a explore the relationship
planet, an asteroid or a moon) in circular motion (revolution) around a between the angle of the light
more massive object. source and the temperature on
the surface it strikes.
5. The earth and other planets move through space in two ways: rotation
on an axis and revolution around the sun. Earth revolves around the sun 6. Use a model to demonstrate
in a near-circular path, explaining cyclical phenomena such as seasons the phases of the moon

and changes in visible star patterns (constellations). relative to the position of the
6. Revolution period (“year”) depends on the speed at which an orbiting sun, Earth and moon.
body is moving and the circumference of its orbit. Objects more distant 7. Develop a model or
from the sun’s gravitational pull move slower than those that are closer. illustration to show the
relative positions of the earth,
sun and moon during a lunar
GRADE-LEVEL CONCEPT 8.3.b. and solar eclipse and explain
how those positions influence
1. Earth rotates around an axis or rotation, a line going through the center
the view from Earth.
of the earth from the north pole to the south pole. The tilt of Earth’s
axis relative to its orbital path, combined with the spherical shape of the 8. Describe factors affecting
earth, cause differences in the amount and intensity of the sun’s light tidal changes and analyze tidal
striking different latitudes of the earth. change data for Long Island
Sound.
2. Earth experiences seasons in northern and southern hemispheres due to
the tilt of the earth on its axis and the resulting angle of the sunlight
striking Earth’s surface at different points along its 365-day revolution
period. Earth’s tilt causes seasonal differences in the height of the
perceived path of the sun and the number of hours of sunlight. Seasons
are not related to a change in distance between the earth and the sun,
since that distance changes very little. Planets without a tilt of axis will
experience no seasons in spite of the revolution.
3. Earth’s moon is a natural satellite that revolves once around the earth in
a period of about 27 days. The same half of the moon faces Earth
throughout its revolution period. Phases of the moon as seen from Earth
vary depending on the moon’s position relative to the sun and the earth,
appearing as a full moon when the sun and moon are on opposite sides
of the earth and as a new moon when they are on the same side.
4. Eclipses occur when the moon, Earth and sun occasionally align in
specific ways. A solar eclipse occurs when the when the moon is
directly between the earth and the sun (during new moon phase) and the
moon blocks the sun’s light, creating a moving shadow on parts of the
earth. A lunar eclipse occurs when the earth is directly between the
moon and the sun (full moon phase), the earth blocks the sun’s light,
casting a shadow over the moon.
5. Tides are the rise and fall of sea levels caused by the combined effects
of the gravitational forces exerted by the moon, the sun and the rotation


of the earth. The times and amplitude of the tides at the coast are
influenced, in part, by the alignment of the sun and moon.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: force, gravity, orbit, revolve, year, period,
mass, weight, rotate, hemisphere, season, phase, new moon, satellite, solar
eclipse, lunar eclipse, tide


GRADE 8

8.4 — In the design of structures there is a need to consider factors such as function, materials, safety, cost and appearance.

Curriculum Expected

8.4.a Bridges 1. Force is a push or a pull and is described by its strength and direction. 1. Identify the forces acting on C30. Explain
can be Forces are measured in newtons or pounds using scales or other a truss, beam and how beam,
designed in instruments. suspension bridge, truss and
different ways including compression, suspension
2. Forces can act simultaneously on an object from all directions with different
to withstand tension and gravity using bridges are
strengths (magnitudes). When the magnitude and direction of all the forces
certain loads models, pictures or designed to
acting on an object are combined, or added together, the total force (net
and potentially diagrams. withstand the
force) determines the object’s motion. Forces in opposite directions are
destructive forces that act
subtracted; forces in the same direction are added. 2. Explain in writing the
forces. on them.
advantages and
3. If the strength of all the forces acting on an object from one direction is
equivalent to the strength of the forces from the opposite direction, then the disadvantages of truss,
beam and suspension bridge
forces cancel each other out, and are said to be balanced.
design and visually identify
4. Bridges are elevated structures designed to support the movement of objects each bridge.
over a span. Two important forces at work in bridges are tension and
3. Conduct an experiment to
compression.
discover and report on a
5. Bridges must support their own weight (dead load) and the weight of those bridge’s ability to support a
objects that will cross over them or act on them from time to time, such as load based upon the
wind, snow and ice (live load). Bridges are kept stable by balancing the interplay of tension and
load forces with the supporting forces of the structure. These forces can compression forces that
cause parts of the bridge structure to push together (compression) or pull result in a net force of zero.
apart (tension).
4. Use technology to simulate
6. Different bridge designs distribute tension and compression forces in how engineers plan, test and
different ways, depending on the shapes of the parts of the structure. The revise designs of bridges
biggest difference among bridge designs is the distances they can cross in a given parameters, including

single span. Shapes commonly used in bridge design include arches, cost, time, safety and
triangles and rectangles. aesthetics.
7. Bridges are constructed of different materials whose properties and costs
vary. Some materials are strong against compression forces but weak
against tension forces; some materials resist fire, corrosion or weathering.
Materials commonly used in bridge design include wood, rope, aluminum,
concrete and steel.
8. A beam bridge balances the load by concentrating it entirely onto the two
piers that support the bridge at either end. When a force pushes down on
the beam, the beam bends. Its top edge is pushed together (compression),
and its bottom edge is pulled apart (tension). The amount of bend depends
on the length of the beam.
9. A truss bridge uses rigid, interlocking beams to form a system of triangles
that distribute the load among all parts of the structure, increasing the
structural strength of the bridge.
10. A suspension bridge uses cables suspended from tall towers to hold up the
deck and distribute the load. The tension and compression forces acting on
the beam are distributed among the cables (which experience tension) and
the towers (which experience compression).
11. Engineers and scientists build models of bridges, conduct controlled
experiments to learn how they will withstand various stresses, and consider
the benefits and trade-offs of various design alternatives.
12. Bridge design is influenced by the length of the span, the properties of the
materials and the environmental conditions, as well as by practical
considerations, such as the bridge’s appearance, cost of materials or
construction site challenges.
13. Bridges can fail because they have faulty parts, are used in ways that
exceed what was intended by the design, or were poorly designed to begin
with.

KEY CONCEPT WORDS: balanced/unbalanced forces, net force, load,
tension force, compression force, beam bridge, truss bridge, suspension bridge


Pk8 science curriculumstandards2011

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