Elementary

Elementary Science Grade 3

1 Credit

36 Weeks

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Coursework

Open

The Elementary Science K-5 courses will spark curiosity in students and build a solid foundation in concepts across many types of sciences including Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Students will engage in science and engineering practices by asking questions, defining problems, developing and using models, planning and conducting investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and informational technology, constructing explanations, designing solutions, engaging in scientific arguments using evidence, and communicating results.  A framework of active student learning supports and allows students to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate throughout all courses. This dynamic format will help students build their own understanding from experiences and new ideas in order to facilitate a better understanding of the world around them.

Please view the Elementary Parents Guide for Grades 3-5 with guidance on helping your student transition to online learning and thrive at VLACS.

Competencies

Energy and Motion

I can describe the process of energy causing motion. I can explain the process of change caused by energy. I can describe the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. I can make predictions based on observations.

Forms of Energy

I can identify forms of energy. I can explain forms of energy. I can describe examples of forms of energy. I can describe the purpose of using measurements as information.

Gravity

I can explain the effects of the force of gravity on an object. I can identify processes to overcome the force of gravity. I can describe the Law of Gravity.

Heat

I can identify objects that give off both light and heat. I can predict the impacts of the absence of the sun. I can explain the process of generating heat when two objects rub together. I can explain radiant energy from the sun can heat objects.

Light

I can describe behaviors of light. I can identify sources of light energy. I can describe examples of light being reflected. I can describe examples of light being refracted. I can describe examples of light being absorbed.

Properties of Matter

I can identify the volume of a liquid. I can compare mass and weight. I can describe physical properties of matter. I can analyze the temperature using a thermometer. I can compare the temperatures of liquids and solids.

Stars

I can explain the star's appearance as points of light. I can compare the size of the sun to other stars. I can identify light as a form of energy. I can describe the purpose of a telescope.

Animal Classification

I can describe animals’ physical characteristics. I can analyze animals’ behaviors. I can categorize animals into major groups.

Changes in Matter

I can identify the three states of matter. I can describe the properties of each state of water. I can explain the process of water changing state.

Plant and Animal Adaptations

I can describe animals' response to different seasons. I can explain plants' response to different seasons. I can explain the importance of variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species provide them with advantages I can interpret the importance of communication among scientists.

Plant Classification

I can identify flowering plants. I can compare the structures of flowering plants. I can identify non-flowering plants. I can compare the structures of non-flowering plants. I can explain the connection between fossils and the use of fossils as evidence of an organism's environment. I can classify plants as seed-producing plants or spore-producing plants.

Plant Responses

I can explain plants' response to heat. I can explain plants' response to light. I can explain plants' response to gravity.

Plant Structure and Functions

I can explain the needs of plants to grow. I can describe the production of food for a plant. I can interpret the reproduction of plants. I can describe the role of leaves, stems and roots in plants.

Major Topics and Concepts

Module 01: Gravity

01.00 Module One Pretest
01.01 What Goes Up, Must Come Down
01.02 Keep It Up
01.03 Overcoming Gravity
01.04 Module One Review and Reflection
01.05 Module One Assessment

Module 02: Stars

02.00 Module Two Pretest
02.01 Star Light, Star Bright
02.02 Many Different Stars
02.03 The Sun and Other Stars
02.04 Distant Stars
02.05 Our Star
02.06 Starry Night
02.07 Fixed Points of Light
02.08 The Sun’s Glare
02.09 A Closer Look
02.10 Up Close with the Stars
02.11 Module Two Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
02.12 Module Two Assessment

Module 03: Forms of Energy

03.00 Module Three Pretest
03.01 What Is Energy?
03.02 Heat Energy
03.03 Sound Energy
03.04 Electrical Energy
03.05 Mechanical Energy
03.06 Module Three Review and Reflection
03.07 Module Three Assessment

Module 04: Motion

04.00 Module Four Pretest
04.01 Energy That Moves You
04.02 Energy Can Change You, Too
04.03 The Science of Patterns
04.04 Science Made Me Do It!
04.05 Module Four Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
04.06 Module Four Assessment

Module 05: Heat

05.00 Module Five Pretest
05.01 It’s All About Heat
05.02 Can You Feel the Heat?
05.03 Light and Heat
05.04 Experimenting with Heat and Light
05.05 Getting Warmer in the Sun
05.06 The Case of the Solar Oven
05.07 Goodbye Sun, Hello Cool Temperatures!
05.08 No Energy, No Heat
05.09 Favorite Seasons
05.10 Module Five Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
05.11 Module Five Assessment

Module 06: Light

06.00 Module Six Pretest
06.01 Light Sources
06.02 Faster Than the Speed of Light
06.03 Behavior of Light
06.04 Reflected Light
06.05 Refracted Light
06.06 Absorbed Light
06.07 They Go Together
06.08 Module Six Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
06.09 Module Six Assessment

Module 07: Properties of Matter

07.00 Module Seven Pretest
07.01 Physical Properties
07.02 Hard or Soft
07.03 Comparing Physical Properties
07.04 Mass of a Solid
07.05 Volume of a Liquid
07.06 Comparing Temperatures
07.07 Module Seven Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
07.08 Module Seven Assessment

Module 08: Changes in Matter

08.00 Module Eight Pretest
08.01 The States of Water
08.02 Properties of Matter
08.03 Changes of States
08.04 Feel the Heat!
08.05 Where Did They Go?
08.06 Module Eight Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
08.07 Module Eight Assessment

Module 09: Plant Structures and Functions

09.00 Module Nine Pretest
09.01 The Golden Apple Flower Show
09.02 The Busy Leaf
09.03 Rooted to the Ground
09.04 The Thirsty Roots
09.05 The Mighty Stems
09.06 How Flowers Are Made
09.07 Seeds and Fruit
09.08 Plants Eat Food?
09.09 Module Nine Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
09.10 Module Nine Assessment

Module 10: Plant Responses

10.00 Module Ten Pretest
10.01 Heat, Light, and Gravity
10.02 Plants Respond to Heat
10.03 Plants Respond to Light
10.04 Plants Respond to Gravity
10.05 Investigating with Plants
10.06 Module Ten Review and Reflection
10.07 Module Ten Assessment

Module 11: Plant Classification

11.00 Module Eleven Pretest
11.01 Flowering Plants
11.02 Non-Flowering Plants
11.03 Ferns and Mosses
11.04 Structures of Flowering Plants
11.05 Structures of Non-Flowering Plants
11.06 Comparing Flowering and Non-Flowering
11.07 Classifying Plants
11.08 Communication Among Scientists
11.09 Module Eleven Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
11.10 Module Eleven Assessment

Module 12: Animal Classification

12.00 Module Twelve Pretest
12.01 A Is for Arthropod, and V Is for Vertebrate!
12.02 Comparing Systems
12.03 Classifying Animals
12.04 Module Twelve Review and Reflection
12.05 Module Twelve Assessment

Module 13: Adaptations

13.00 Module Thirteen Pretest
13.01 Seasonal Adaptations
13.02 Animal Responses to the Seasons
13.03 Survival in Numbers
13.04 Plant Responses to the Seasons
13.05 Staying Alive!
13.06 Seasonal Changes Around the World
13.07 Comparing the Life Cycles of Plants and Animals
13.08 Module Thirteen Review and Discussion-Based Assessment
13.09 Module Thirteen 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.