Third grade science is filled with discovery and exploration. We will learn about the effects of traits on survival, how forces affect motion, weather and climate patterns.
We will begin the year with the study of life science by learning about inherited traits and how these traits can be influenced by the environment. Students will explain how an organism's traits and behaviors affects an individual's chance of survival. Then, in quarter two students will use evidence to argue that in certain habitats, some organisms survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. Students will also design a solution to a problem caused by a change in the environment. Next, students will begin their study of force and motion by investigating how balanced and unbalanced forces affect the motion of an object. In quarter three, students will continue to learn about forces as they investigate patterns of motion and how gravity causes objects to fall downward. Students ask questions and investigate how non-contact forces can cause objects to move without touching them as they learn about static electricity and magnetism. Students apply their understanding of magnets to solve a real world problem. Finally, in quarter four students will look for patterns as they collect and analyze weather data to describe typical weather conditions. They will use their understanding of typical weather to learn about different climates. Students will design solutions to problems caused by weather-related hazards. Students will continue to explore patterns in plant and animal life cycles as new life comes back in the spring.