This course is only available in the Spring for those students who have completed the A course in the previous Fall semester. Students must have registered for the B course in the Fall.
Description:
In this course, students explore the fascinating worlds of Earth and
matter. In the Earth science unit, students study the earth’s
composition in detail as well as the relationships between the Earth,
moon, and sun. In the physical science unit, they study the properties
of matter. Lessons are designed to engage the student’s natural
curiosity, from building a model for investigating how simple machines
work to studying why the moon’s shape appears to change throughout the
month. The course accommodates a range of learning styles with
activity-centered learning as well as readings, research, and
traditional instruction. Students also explore the scientific method andvarious careers in science.
Units:
Using Earth's Resources
In
this unit, your student will explore Earth’s minerals. He will examine
mineral properties such as color, streak, luster, and hardness. After
studying minerals, your student will learn how minerals combine to form
rocks. He will explore the three types of rocks: igneous, sedimentary,
and metamorphic.
In the second part of the unit, your student
will learn how to use variables to answer a scientific question. He will
do this by conducting an experiment with different types of soil. Your
student will then read about fossils and how they form. He will explore
Earth’s renewable and nonrenewable resources and will read about the
ways people can conserve natural resources. Lesson 7 is a
student-selected project. The student will be able to choose from three
options relating to the unit. A rubric is included and will be used for
scoring purposes.
Changes in Weather
In
this unit, your student will explore weather. She will learn how
different types of weather form in Earth’s atmosphere, and she will read
about predicting weather. Your student will test her inquiry skills
when she completes the lab “Interpret Data.” She will learn how to
interpret weather data that was collected throughout a year.
Next
your student will study the water cycle and how it relates to different
weather patterns. She will read about evaporation, condensation, and
precipitation; and she will examine a detailed diagram in her textbook
that illustrates the water cycle. Finally, your student will discover
the difference between weather and climate. She will learn how and why
climates vary across the world. Lesson 5 is a student-selected project.
The student will be able to choose from three options relating to the
unit. A rubric is included and will be used for scoring purposes.
Planets, Moons, and Stars
In
this unit, your student will investigate the solar system. He will
first study the Earth-moon-sun relationship and will learn why there are
seasons on Earth and why there are phases of the moon. Next your
student will explore other planets in the solar system. He will compare
and contrast the inner and outer planets. When reading about the outer
planets, be sure that your student understands that Pluto is now
considered a dwarf planet.
Lesson 6 is a student-selected
project. The student will be able to choose from three options relating
to the unit. A rubric is included and will be used for scoring purposes.
At
the end of this unit, your student will explore stars. He will learn
why stars can only be seen at night and why the Big Dipper is not a
constellation. Your student will be able to explain why different stars
can be viewed during different seasons. After completing the reading
assignments for this unit, your student will have a better understanding
of the many features of the solar system.
Observing Matter
In
this unit, your student will begin to investigate matter. She will
learn how to identify examples of matter and will study several
properties of matter, including mass and volume. Your student will learn
that matter is composed of elements. Practical examples of elements are
pictured in your student’s textbook.
After learning what matter
is, your student will explore the ways that matter can be measured. She
will learn the standard units of measurement for length, volume, and
mass. She will also learn how to differentiate between mass and weight.
At the end of the unit, your student will explore the three states of
matter—solids, liquids, and gases—and how she uses them every day.
Lesson 4 is a student-selected project. The student will be able to
choose from three options relating to the unit. A rubric is included and
will be used for scoring purposes.
Changes in Matter
In
this unit, your student will continue learning about matter. He will
explore changes to matter’s state. Your student will learn what happens
to matter when it freezes, melts, condenses, and evaporates. He will
conduct an experiment to determine whether salt water freezes faster—or
slower—than fresh water.
Your student will also learn how to
differentiate between physical changes and chemical changes in matter.
He will read how physical changes can be observed, but some chemical
changes cannot. Your student will learn that the release of heat and/or
gas generally indicates that a chemical change has occurred. Lesson 6 is
a student-selected project. The student will be able to choose
from three options relating to the unit. A rubric is included and will
be used for scoring purposes.
Forces and Motion
In
this unit, your student will study the relationship between forces and
motion. She will learn how to define factors such as position, distance,
and speed. She will also learn how forces change the motion of objects.
Your student will learn about magnetic force, and will conduct an
experiment to determine how magnetic force is affected by the distance
between an object and a magnet.
Your student will go on to study
work, energy, and simple machines. She will define kinetic and
potential energy, and will be able to explain how energy can change from
one form to another. She will explore the six simple machines: levers,
pulleys, wheels and axles, inclined planes, screws, and wedges. Lesson 6
is a student-selected project. The student will be able to choose
from three options relating to the unit. A rubric is included and will
be used for scoring purposes. After your student has completed all of
the reading assignments, see if she can identify a compound machine at
home.
Forms of Energy
In
this final unit, your student will explore the following forms of
energy—heat, sound, light, and electricity. He will learn how to
differentiate between heat and temperature and will learn about
conductors and insulators in an experiment with three potential
insulators. In this unit, your student will learn how sound travels and
will learn the difference between volume and pitch. Your student will
also explore properties of light and be able to define opaque,
transparent, and translucent. He will learn how different colors are
made and how light can be reflected and refracted. At the end of this
unit, your student will study electricity. He will gain a basic
understanding of static electricity and will explore how electric
currents flow through circuits.
Course Sets
Kit
Lesson Manual/Course Guide
- Gifted and Talented Science 3 A and B Course Guide
Supplies
- Dropper
- Goggles, safety
- Hand lens
- Magnet, bar (set of 2)
- Modeling clay
- Thermometers (2)