Science Objectives

Goals and Objectives for Science Curriculum

I have two major goals while teaching science. I want my students to have a broad enough scientific base that they are comfortable taking the Science ISAT in the spring. I also want to give my students a positive experience in science so they enjoy the subject and want to learn more.

The following are the chapters/topics that I want to be sure to cover this year.
Click the links to see the objectives as suggested by the text . . . or see the applicable ISBE goals and standards.

Chapter 1A
Classifying Living Things Chapter 2A
Animal Growth and Adaptations Chapter 3A
Plant Growth and Adaptations

Chapter 1B
Ecosystems Chapter 1C
Earthquakes and Volcanoes Chapter 2C
Rocks and Minerals
OR the Rock WebQuest

Chapter 3C
Fossils
AND/OR the Sue Project Chapter 3D
Planets and Other Objects in Space Chapter 1E
Physical Properties of Matter

Chapter 2E
Heat-Energy on the Move Chapter 4E
Electricity and Magnetism Chapter 2F
Simple Machines

Science Fair Project
Scientific Method

Chapter 1A - Classifying Living Things
Identify reasons why scientists classify living things.
Identify the five kingdoms of living things.
Recognized how scientists name living things.
Identify the two main groups of animals
Describe how vertebrates and invertebrates differ.
Give examples of vertebrates and invertebrates.
Describe the two main groups of plants.
Give examples of vascular and non vascular plants.

Chapter 2A - Animal Growth and Adaptations
Recognized that all animals have five basic needs: food, water, oxygen, shelter, and climate.
Conclude that animals meet their needs in different ways.
Identify three adaptations birds have to help them meet their needs.
Describe animal body part adaptations that enable them to meet their needs.
Identify ways animals behave to enable them to meet their needs.
Distinguish between instinctual behavior and learned behavior in animals.

Chapter 3A - Plant Growth and Adaptations
Identify the four basic needs of plants.
Explain how plants make food.
give examples of plant adaptations.
Explain how plant adaptations enable plants to survive in different environments.
Identify ways that leave, stems, and roots help plants live.
Give examples of unusual plan adaptations.
Describe the ways plants reproduce.
Give examples of ways seeds are spread.

Chapter 1B - Ecosystems
Describe what makes up a system.
Identify ways that a system gains stability.
Describe the basic parts of an ecosystem.
Explain how the living things in ecosystems are organized.
Give examples of habitats and niches in ecosystems.
Explain how plants and animals interact and change their environments.
Explain how tropical rain forests and coral reefs are alike.
Describe the resources of rain forests and coral reefs.
Explain why the resources are important.

Chapter 1C - Earthquakes and Volcanoes
Recognize and describe the layers of Earth.
Describe how slabs of Earth's crust and upper mantle move.
Explain what causes and earthquake.
Describe where earthquakes occur.
Explain various ways to measure earthquakes.
Describe how volcanoes form.
Identify three types of volcanoes.
Give examples of how volcano eruptions can be harmful and how they have good effects on the land around them.

Chapter 2C - Rocks and Minerals
Collect information about minerals using observational skills.
Describe properties of minerals.
Explain how minerals form and how they are used.
Differentiate among different kinds of rocks.
Describe the relationship between rocks and minerals
Explain how different rocks form.
Give examples of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.
Observe patterns of change in Earth's rocks.
Describe processes involved in the rock cycle.
Identify the effects of erosion, dissolving, and weathering, which take place over time. Rock WebQuest Objectives
Included in the Rock WebQuest are the Illinois State goals, standards and benchmarks that that the Rock WebQuest covers in the areas of English Language Arts, Math, and Science for Late Elementary students.

Chapter 3C - Fossils
Analyze the scientific explanation of how fossils form, using scientific evidence.
Describe the steps involved in fossil formation.
Compare and contrast various methods of fossil preservation.
Analyze and interpret sets of footprints in order to communicate valid conclusions based on direct evidence.
Explain methods used to date rocks and fossils.
Identify some of the species that lived on Earth long ago, and compare them to existing species.
Conclude why fossils are important to both the present and the past. Sue Project Objectives
Objectives will be added when available.

Chapter 3D - Planets and Other Objects in Space
Demonstrate two motions of planets - rotation and revolution
Describe some characteristics of the star that is at the center of our solar system.
Distinguish among planets, asteroids, and comets.
Construct scale models of the solar system.
Explain how the planets are divided into two groups - inner planets and outer planets.
Analyze and critique theories regarding the formation of planets' moons and rings.
Construct and use a simple telescope.
Compare and contrast radio and optical telescopes.
Describe how crewed missions differ from space probes.
Construct a constellation box.
Explain how stars can be used as a navigational tool.
Describe how ancient people used stars as calendars.

Chapter 1E - Physical Properties of Matter
Conclude that matter has three forms: sold, liquid, and gas
Recognize that heat can cause a change in the state of matter.
Conduct tests, compare data, and draw conclusions about states of matter.
Use numerical data to measure, describe, and compare physical properties of matter.
Conduct test, compare data, and draw conclusions about mass, volume, and density.
Identify buoyancy as a physical property of matter.
Conduct test, compare data, and draw conclusions about the buoyancy of different materials.
Recognize that some materials combine to form solutions.

Chapter 2E - Heat-Energy on the Move
Recognize that thermal energy is the motion of particles of matter.
Observe and record changes in the states of matter caused by the addition or reduction of thermal energy.
Explain how thermal energy and temperature differ.
Explain that adding or removing heat from a substance can change its state of matter.
Identify conduction as a physical property of matter.
Recognize that thermal energy can be transferred from one object to another.
Analyze information about temperature by using thermometers.
Identify ways to produce and use thermal energy.
Explain that the energy that comes from the sun to Earth can be used by people.

Chapter 4E - Electricity and Magnetism
Define static electricity.
Recognize that electrically charged objects attract or repel each other as can be seen from the effects of static electricity.
Explain what causes an electric field.
Design and build a simple series circuit using components such as wires, batteries, and bulbs.
Compare data about physical properties of matter, including conduction.
Recognize that electrical energy can be converted to other forms of energy, such as heat, light, and motion
Construct a simple compass, and use it to detect magnetic effects.
Recognize that magnets have two poles, labeled north and south, and that like poles repel each other, while unlike poles attract each other.
Recognize that all electric currents produce magnetic effects.
Construct a simple electromagnet.
Identify how electromagnets are useful to people.

Chapter 2F - Simple Machines
Identify the parts of a lever.
Describe the parts of a lever.
Draw conclusions about what happens when a lever is moved.
Identify the parts of a wheel and axle.
Describe the parts of the different types of pulleys.
Draw conclusions about what happens when the size of a wheel or axle is changed.
Describe how an inclined plane make work easier.
Identify the relationship among screws, wedges, and inclined planes.

Science Fair Project - Scientific Method
Illinois State Goal 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems.
A. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry.
11.A.2a Formulate questions on a specific science topic and choose the steps needed to answer the questions.
11.A.2b Collect data for investigations using scientific process skills including observing, estimating and measuring.
11.A.2c Construct charts and visualizations to display data.
11.A.2d Use data to produce reasonable explanations.
11.A.2e Report and display the results of individual and group investigations.
B. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
11.B.2a Identify a design problem and propose possible solutions.
11.B.2b Develop a plan, design and procedure to address the problem identifying constraints (e.g., time, materials, technology).
11.B.2c Build a prototype of the design using available tools and materials.
11.B.2d Test the prototype using suitable instruments, techniques and quantitative measurements to record data.
11.B.2e Assess test results and the effectiveness of the design using given criteria and noting possible sources of error.
11.B.2f Report test design, test process and test results.

back to the assignment page

Chapter 1A Classifying Living Things	Chapter 2A Animal Growth and Adaptations	Chapter 3A Plant Growth and Adaptations
Chapter 1B Ecosystems	Chapter 1C Earthquakes and Volcanoes	Chapter 2C Rocks and Minerals OR the Rock WebQuest
Chapter 3C Fossils AND/OR the Sue Project	Chapter 3D Planets and Other Objects in Space	Chapter 1E Physical Properties of Matter
Chapter 2E Heat-Energy on the Move	Chapter 4E Electricity and Magnetism	Chapter 2F Simple Machines
Science Fair Project Scientific Method

Chapter 1A - Classifying Living Things Identify reasons why scientists classify living things. Identify the five kingdoms of living things. Recognized how scientists name living things. Identify the two main groups of animals Describe how vertebrates and invertebrates differ. Give examples of vertebrates and invertebrates. Describe the two main groups of plants. Give examples of vascular and non vascular plants.
Chapter 2A - Animal Growth and Adaptations Recognized that all animals have five basic needs: food, water, oxygen, shelter, and climate. Conclude that animals meet their needs in different ways. Identify three adaptations birds have to help them meet their needs. Describe animal body part adaptations that enable them to meet their needs. Identify ways animals behave to enable them to meet their needs. Distinguish between instinctual behavior and learned behavior in animals.
Chapter 3A - Plant Growth and Adaptations Identify the four basic needs of plants. Explain how plants make food. give examples of plant adaptations. Explain how plant adaptations enable plants to survive in different environments. Identify ways that leave, stems, and roots help plants live. Give examples of unusual plan adaptations. Describe the ways plants reproduce. Give examples of ways seeds are spread.
Chapter 1B - Ecosystems Describe what makes up a system. Identify ways that a system gains stability. Describe the basic parts of an ecosystem. Explain how the living things in ecosystems are organized. Give examples of habitats and niches in ecosystems. Explain how plants and animals interact and change their environments. Explain how tropical rain forests and coral reefs are alike. Describe the resources of rain forests and coral reefs. Explain why the resources are important.
Chapter 1C - Earthquakes and Volcanoes Recognize and describe the layers of Earth. Describe how slabs of Earth's crust and upper mantle move. Explain what causes and earthquake. Describe where earthquakes occur. Explain various ways to measure earthquakes. Describe how volcanoes form. Identify three types of volcanoes. Give examples of how volcano eruptions can be harmful and how they have good effects on the land around them.
Chapter 2C - Rocks and Minerals Collect information about minerals using observational skills. Describe properties of minerals. Explain how minerals form and how they are used. Differentiate among different kinds of rocks. Describe the relationship between rocks and minerals Explain how different rocks form. Give examples of sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks. Observe patterns of change in Earth's rocks. Describe processes involved in the rock cycle. Identify the effects of erosion, dissolving, and weathering, which take place over time.	Rock WebQuest Objectives Included in the Rock WebQuest are the Illinois State goals, standards and benchmarks that that the Rock WebQuest covers in the areas of English Language Arts, Math, and Science for Late Elementary students.
Chapter 3C - Fossils Analyze the scientific explanation of how fossils form, using scientific evidence. Describe the steps involved in fossil formation. Compare and contrast various methods of fossil preservation. Analyze and interpret sets of footprints in order to communicate valid conclusions based on direct evidence. Explain methods used to date rocks and fossils. Identify some of the species that lived on Earth long ago, and compare them to existing species. Conclude why fossils are important to both the present and the past.	Sue Project Objectives Objectives will be added when available.
Chapter 3D - Planets and Other Objects in Space Demonstrate two motions of planets - rotation and revolution Describe some characteristics of the star that is at the center of our solar system. Distinguish among planets, asteroids, and comets. Construct scale models of the solar system. Explain how the planets are divided into two groups - inner planets and outer planets. Analyze and critique theories regarding the formation of planets' moons and rings. Construct and use a simple telescope. Compare and contrast radio and optical telescopes. Describe how crewed missions differ from space probes. Construct a constellation box. Explain how stars can be used as a navigational tool. Describe how ancient people used stars as calendars.
Chapter 1E - Physical Properties of Matter Conclude that matter has three forms: sold, liquid, and gas Recognize that heat can cause a change in the state of matter. Conduct tests, compare data, and draw conclusions about states of matter. Use numerical data to measure, describe, and compare physical properties of matter. Conduct test, compare data, and draw conclusions about mass, volume, and density. Identify buoyancy as a physical property of matter. Conduct test, compare data, and draw conclusions about the buoyancy of different materials. Recognize that some materials combine to form solutions.
Chapter 2E - Heat-Energy on the Move Recognize that thermal energy is the motion of particles of matter. Observe and record changes in the states of matter caused by the addition or reduction of thermal energy. Explain how thermal energy and temperature differ. Explain that adding or removing heat from a substance can change its state of matter. Identify conduction as a physical property of matter. Recognize that thermal energy can be transferred from one object to another. Analyze information about temperature by using thermometers. Identify ways to produce and use thermal energy. Explain that the energy that comes from the sun to Earth can be used by people.
Chapter 4E - Electricity and Magnetism Define static electricity. Recognize that electrically charged objects attract or repel each other as can be seen from the effects of static electricity. Explain what causes an electric field. Design and build a simple series circuit using components such as wires, batteries, and bulbs. Compare data about physical properties of matter, including conduction. Recognize that electrical energy can be converted to other forms of energy, such as heat, light, and motion Construct a simple compass, and use it to detect magnetic effects. Recognize that magnets have two poles, labeled north and south, and that like poles repel each other, while unlike poles attract each other. Recognize that all electric currents produce magnetic effects. Construct a simple electromagnet. Identify how electromagnets are useful to people.
Chapter 2F - Simple Machines Identify the parts of a lever. Describe the parts of a lever. Draw conclusions about what happens when a lever is moved. Identify the parts of a wheel and axle. Describe the parts of the different types of pulleys. Draw conclusions about what happens when the size of a wheel or axle is changed. Describe how an inclined plane make work easier. Identify the relationship among screws, wedges, and inclined planes.
Science Fair Project - Scientific Method Illinois State Goal 11: Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems. A. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry. 11.A.2a Formulate questions on a specific science topic and choose the steps needed to answer the questions. 11.A.2b Collect data for investigations using scientific process skills including observing, estimating and measuring. 11.A.2c Construct charts and visualizations to display data. 11.A.2d Use data to produce reasonable explanations. 11.A.2e Report and display the results of individual and group investigations. B. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design. 11.B.2a Identify a design problem and propose possible solutions. 11.B.2b Develop a plan, design and procedure to address the problem identifying constraints (e.g., time, materials, technology). 11.B.2c Build a prototype of the design using available tools and materials. 11.B.2d Test the prototype using suitable instruments, techniques and quantitative measurements to record data. 11.B.2e Assess test results and the effectiveness of the design using given criteria and noting possible sources of error. 11.B.2f Report test design, test process and test results.