Unit | Timeframe | Big Ideas (Statements or Essential Questions) | Major Learning Experiences from Unit |
|---|
Earth’s Changing Surface | Sept-Nov | Could a volcano pop up where you live? Why do some volcanoes explode? Will a mountain last forever? | In this unit, students investigate features and processes of the Earth’s surface. Students explore the rapid process of volcanic eruptions! In contrast, students also explore the gradual Earth processes of weathering and erosion. Students apply their knowledge and design solutions to mitigate the impacts of these processes on humans. |
Animals | Dec | Why do your biceps bulge? What do people who are blind see? How does your brain control your body? | In this unit, students investigate structures and functions of the human body. Students explore how our bones and muscles are interconnected, how our eyes interact with light and impact our vision, and how our brain responds to stimuli in our environment. |
Energy | Jan-Apr | Why do objects move? What if there was no electricity? Where does energy come from? | In this unit, students explore energy! Students investigate how energy is stored, how it can make objects move, and how collisions transfer energy between objects. Students also construct devices that convert energy from one form into another, such as heat into motion and electricity into light. |
Waves | May-June | What makes sound?
Why are some sounds high and some sounds low? What is a sound wave? | In this unit, students investigate the science of sound. Students construct physical devices to feel the vibrations that allow us to communicate across distances. Students also use digital devices to visualize the characteristics of different sound waves that cause us to hear different things. |
