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Elementary
Elementary Science Grade 5
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The Elementary Science at VLACS helps students develop a strong foundation in various sciences such as Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Students will learn through hands-on activities and will be encouraged to ask questions, solve problems, conduct experiments, analyze data, use technology and math skills, explain their findings, design solutions, and communicate their results. The courses are designed to engage students in learning and encourage them to explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate their understanding. This approach will help students gain a better understanding of the world around them by building on their own experiences and new ideas.
Please view the Elementary Parents Guide for Grades 3-5 with guidance on helping your student transition to online learning and thrive at VLACS.
Major Topics and Concepts
Module 01: Properties of Matter
- 01.00 Module One Pretest
- 01.01 What’s the matter?
- 01.02 States and Properties of Matter
- 01.03 The Mystery of Mass
- 01.04 Weighing in on Mass
- 01.05 What’s so basic about volume?
- 01.06 Pump up the Volume
- 01.07 Module One Review and Reflection
- 01.08 Module One Assessment
Module 02: Mixtures
- 02.00 Module Two Pretest
- 02.01 Mixtures of Solids
- 02.02 Does it dissolve?
- 02.03 Mixtures in Water
- 02.04 Rate of Dissolving
- 02.05 Module Two Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 02.06 Module Two Assessment
Module 03: Atoms
- 03.00 Module Three Pretest
- 03.01 Building Blocks of Matter
- 03.02 A Model of Matter
- 03.03 Module Three Review and Reflection
- 03.04 Module Three Assessment
Module 04: Changes in Matter
- 04.00 Module Four Pretest
- 04.01 Turning up the Heat
- 04.02 Chemical Change
- 04.03 Module Four Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 04.04 Module Four Assessment
Module 05: Energy
- 05.00 Module Five Pretest
- 05.01 Energy for Motion and Change
- 05.02 Light and Heat Energy
- 05.03 Sound Energy
- 05.04 Electrical Energy
- 05.05 Chemical Energy
- 05.06 Mechanical Energy
- 05.07 Module Five Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 05.08 Module Five Assessment
Module 06: Force and Motion
- 06.00 Module Six Pretest
- 06.01 Forces That Move
- 06.02 Falling to Earth
- 06.03 The Force of Friction
- 06.04 Forces and Motion
- 06.05 Forces and Mass
- 06.06 Balancing the Forces
- 06.07 Module Six Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 06.08 Module Six Assessment
Module 07: Forms of Energy
- 07.00 Module Seven Pretest
- 07.01 It’s electric!
- 07.02 Let’s get this train moving!
- 07.03 The Circus of Circuits
- 07.04 Electrical Changes
- 07.05 Investigating Electricity
- 07.06 Attracting an Uncharged Object
- 07.07 Investigating Charges
- 07.08 Module Seven Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 07.09 Module Seven Assessment
Module 08: Solar System and Galaxies
- 08.00 Module Eight Pretest
- 08.01 What makes up a galaxy?
- 08.02 The Solar System
- 08.03 The Sun, Stars, and Patterns
- 08.04 Characteristics of Planets
- 08.05 Inner and Outer Planets
- 08.06 Module Eight Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 08.07 Module Eight Assessment
Module 09: Water Cycle
- 09.00 Module Nine Pretest
- 09.01 Different Forms of Precipitation
- 09.02 All the way up!
- 09.03 Precipitation and Weather
- 09.04 The Water Cycle
- 09.05 Changing of States in the Water Cycle
- 09.06 Modeling the Water Cycle
- 09.07 The Importance of the Ocean
- 09.08 Making the Connections
- 09.09 Module Nine Review and Reflection
- 09.10 Module Nine Assessment
Module 10: Weather
- 10.00 Module Ten Pretest
- 10.01 Talking About the Weather
- 10.02 Components That Determine Weather
- 10.03 Components Working Together
- 10.04 Emergency Preparedness Plan
- 10.05 Module Ten Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 10.06 Module Ten Assessment
Module 11: Climate
- 11.00 Module Eleven Pretest
- 11.01 The Climate Zones
- 11.02 Climates and Characteristics
- 11.03 Life, Water, Air, and Land
- 11.04 Weather and Environments
- 11.05 Module Eleven Review and Reflection
- 11.06 Module Eleven Assessment
Module 12: Adaptations
- 12.00 Module Twelve Pretest
- 12.01 Surviving in Different Environments
- 12.02 What about the plants?
- 12.03 Plants and Animals
- 12.04 What’s the difference?
- 12.05 Moving Matter
- 12.06 Protecting Earth’s Resources
- 12.07 Module Twelve Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 12.08 Module Twelve Assessment
Module 13: Human Body Organs and Functions
- 13.00 Module Thirteen Pretest
- 13.01 The Brain, Heart, and Lungs
- 13.02 The Body’s Functions
- 13.03 The Kidneys and Bladder
- 13.04 Building Muscles
- 13.05 The Reproductive Organs
- 13.06 Module Thirteen Review and Reflection
- 13.07 Module Thirteen Assessment
Module 14: Organism Structure, Function, and Comparison
- 14.00 Module Fourteen Pretest
- 14.01 Plant and Animal Structures
- 14.02 Comparing Plants and Animals
- 14.03 Module Fourteen Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
- 14.04 Module Fourteen Assessment
Course Materials
To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students and families are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers because, when teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.
Required Materials – Please view the list of materials before registering.
Competencies
Atoms and the Nature of Matter
I can explain the composition of matter having parts too small to be seen without a microscope. I can explain models representing matter with particles taking up space even if it cannot be seen.
Chemical and Physical Reactions
I can describe the frequency of physical changes occurring as a result of temperature. I can identify when a physical change has occurred due to a chemical change from temperature. I can describe the frequency of physical and chemical changes occurring as a result of temperature. I can identify the steps of the scientific method.
Effects of Forces
I can describe the effect of forces on an object. I can describe the effect of gravity on an object. I can identify the effect of friction on an object. I can explain the difference between an experiment and other types of scientific investigations. I can explain the connection between applied force and an object’s mass.
Electrical Energy
I can describe the transformation of electrical energy into other types of energy. I can identify conductors and non-conductors I can explain the flow of electricity in a closed circuit. I can explain attraction and repulsion between two electrically charged or uncharged objects.
Matter
I can describe the properties of temperature in each state of matter. I can describe the properties of mass in each state of matter. I can describe the properties of color in each state of matter. I can describe the properties of texture in each state of matter. I can explain the measurements and graph evidencing the conservation of matter.
Mixtures
I can explain the mixtures of solids that can be separated based on observable properties. I can evaluate the conditions affecting the dissolving process of a mixture. I can identify soluble and insoluble materials. I can analyze data identifying the results of the mixture parts not dissolving. I can identify the conditions that will speed up or slow down the dissolving process.
Sources of Energy
I can describe types of energy. I can explain the ability of energy to cause motion or change. I can explain the importance of repeated trials in a scientific investigation. I can identify the importance of a control group.
Climate
I can describe the conditions of climate zones. I can describe the interaction between the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere.
Comparing Plants and Animals
I can compare the organs and structures of plants. I can compare the organs and structures of animals.
Human Body Organs and Functions
I can describe the functions of the brain, heart, and lungs. I can describe the function of the digestive system. I can describe the function of the urinary system. I can describe the functions of the sensory organs, muscles, and skeleton. I can describe the functions of reproductive organs.
Our Solar System
I can compare objects in the solar system. I can describe the Milky Way within the galaxy. I can explain the connection between apparent brightness and the relative distance from the Earth. I can describe patterns of daily change due to the Earth's position in the solar system. I can compare inner and outer planets. I can evaluate the difference between opinion and verified observation.
Resource Allocation and Adaptations
I can describe plant and animal adaptations. I can explain the process of animals using energy in food for body repair, growth, motion, and warmth. I can explain the process in which plants get the materials needed to grow. I can create a model showing the process of matter moving through an ecosystem. I can explain shifts in plant and animal populations based on changes in the environment. I can describe the use of scientific evidence to protect resources.
Water Cycle
I can describe the conditions required for forms of precipitation. I can explain the effect of climate on precipitation. I can explain a created model of the water cycle. I can describe the importance of the ocean to the water cycle.
Weather Predicting and Planning
I can describe the influence of weather components on the weather in a particular place and time. I can explain a preparedness plan in the case of natural disasters.
