Grade 3 Science Curriculum

Expected performances (B7)  The student will be able to:

a. identify resources we use from the Earth and classify them as solid, liquid or gas.

b. analyze how the Earth’s resources are limited and why they should be conserved.

c. evaluate how human actions and decisions can impact the availability of resources to others.

d. explore the various ways to conserve Earth’s resources (e.g. reduce, reuse, recycle, substitute renewable resources, etc.)

e. evaluate the effectiveness of different strategies in conserving Earth’s resources.

f. describe how Earth’s materials can be conserved by reducing the quantities used, and by reusing and recycling materials rather than discarding them.

Required Activities:

1. Engage:  Introduce this concept of natural resources and product consumption by reading a book about pollution, such as:  Wump World by Bill Peet, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss or A River Ran Wild by Lynne Cherry  (B7a,b  BINQ1,7)

Teacher notes:  Refer to “Quest for Less” Teacher fact sheet for additional background knowledge to present to students pgs. 5–9.  It is suggested that students keep science journals/notebooks.  (Refer to teacher resource Science Notebooks, Writing About Inquiry by Brian Campbell for appropriate models for written response and scientific drawings.)

2. Students will draw conclusions about the need for water conservation after investigating the limited amount of water on the Earth by using a scale model activity.  “Drip in the Bucket” (see Appendix)  (B7b  BINQ1,2,3,4,6,9,10)

3. Students will make a device to measure the concentration of particles in the air at different sites (e.g. classroom, playground, bus area, home, etc.)  “Particle Detectives”  Activity 4, Use Activity Sheet 2, Part A & B, Delta Science Module Pollution  (B7a,b,c  BINQ1,2,3,4,5,6)

4. Students learn about causes of air pollution.  Pollution video, Part 1  (Technology Standard 1)

5. Students will examine a variety of water samples before and after filtration.  “Don’t Muddy the Water” Activity 5, Delta Science Module Pollution  (B7a,e  BINQ1,3,4,5,6)   TEACHER DEMONSTRATION ONLY

6. Students will participate in a whole class activity focused on collecting trash for one day.  The trash can be placed in a large trash bag and then weighed.  Students will analyze what they could have done to reduce, reuse or recycle.  This activity can be repeated a week or two later and results graphed.  (B7d  BINQ1,3,4,5,6)  (Simple computer graphing programs may be used)  (Technology Standard 3,6)

Teacher notes:  As a safety point, rubber gloves must be used.  Be sure to check if anyone has a latex allergy.

7. Soggy Paper – Curriculum Embedded Performance Task CSDE,  see Appendix

Assessment:

Students will list five ways that they, as individuals, can conserve Earth’s resources and explain their choices in writing.  (B7c)

Students will respond to the following writing prompt:  Describe how Earth’s materials can be conserved by reducing the quantities used, and by reusing and recycling materials rather than discarding them.  (B7f)

Vocabulary

• Natural resource – material from the Earth that people use

• Pollutant – harmful substance in the air, land or water

• Pollution – damage done to the environment by the introduction of pollutants

• Recycle – to treat or change waste so that it can be used again

Optional Activities:

1. Ask students to write about what natural resources mean to them.  Have them select a natural resource and describe why it is special or important to them.

2. Students compare the structure of a feather before and after contact with oil, infer the effects of oil spills on birds, and try to remove oil from water.  “Oil and Water Don’t Mix”  Activity 6, Delta Science Module Pollution  (B7c)

3. Students create a usable product from recycled materials brought from home.

4. Other activities from Delta Science Module Pollution.

Resources Needed:

Student:

Teacher:

Internet:

Student interactive site:  http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/kids/ - Environmental Protection Agency Recycle City

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Art: Use recycled products to produce an art form.

Language Arts : Written response to conservation prompt.

Mathematics: Collect data and graph trash results.

Social Studies: Research trees being removed in the rain forest which affects the air on Earth. Find information on conservation measures in Ledyard (e.g. water conservation in the summer).

STS Materials list:

1.  Drip in the Bucket:  Gallon of water, clear empty gallon container, 1/4 cup, 1 tablespoon, 1 teaspoon, eyedroppers, Pollution Delta readers, Delta Module Pollution TM 1/CRT.

2.  Particle Detectives:  Sandwich-size baggies, hand lenses, petroleum jelly (2 tubes), plastic sheets (overheads), metric rulers, string, masking tape, Pollution video (Delta).

3.   Don’t Muddy the Water (Teacher Demo):  2 plastic beakers, cotton balls, 1 oz. calibrated cups, gravel, sand.

Bold face indicates CORE expected performances to be assessed by CMT.