Process Standards Grade 3
Process Standard 1: Observe and Measure - Observing is the first action taken by the learner to acquire new information about an object, organism, or event. Opportunities for observation are developed through the use of a variety of scientific tools. Measurement allows observations to be quantified.
1. Observe and measure objects, organisms, or events using developmentally appropriate Systems International (SI) units (i.e., meters, centimeters, grams, and degrees Celsius).
2. Compare and contrast characteristics in a given set of simple objects, familiar organisms, or observable events.
Process Standard 2: Classify - Classifying establishes order. Objects, organisms, and events are classified based on similarities, differences, and interrelationships.
1. Classify a set of simple objects, familiar organisms, or observable events by observable properties.
2. Arrange simple objects, familiar organisms, or observable events in a serial order.
Process Standard 3: Experiment and Inquiry - Experimenting is a method of discovering information. It requires making observations and measurements to test ideas. Inquiry can be defined as the skills necessary to carry out the process of scientific or systemic thinking. In order for inquiry to occur, students must have the opportunity to ask a question, formulate a procedure, and observe phenomena.
1. Ask a question about objects, organisms, or events in the environment.
2. Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
3. Employ simple equipment and tools such as magnifiers, thermometers, and rulers to gather data.
4. Recognize potential hazards and practice safety procedures in all science activities.
Process Standard 4: Interpret and Communicate: Interpreting is the process of recognizing patterns in collected data by making inferences, predictions, or conclusions. Communicating is the process of describing, recording, and reporting experimental procedures and results to others. Communication may be oral, written, or mathematical, and includes organizing ideas, using appropriate vocabulary, graphs, other visual representations, and mathematical equations.
1. Interpret tables, pictorial, or simple bar graphs.
2. Recognize and describe patterns, then make predictions based on patterns.
3. Communicate results of a simple investigation using drawings, tables, graphs, and written and oral language.
Physical Science Standard 1: Properties Of Objects And Materials: Describe characteristics of objects based on physical properties such as size, shape, color, or texture.
1. Objects can be described in terms of the materials of which they are made. Mixtures and solutions can be separated (i.e., sand and marbles; or salt and water).
2. Sound is produced by vibrations (i.e. pitch and loudness). *3. Compare how sound travels through air, water, and/or solids. Vibration of materials causes sound.
Life Science Standard 2: Characteristics And Basic Needs Of Organisms And Environments - All living things have structures that enable them to function in unique and specific ways to obtain food, reproduce, and survive.
1. Plants and animals have features (i.e., breathing structures, limbs, skin covering, seed dispersal, roots, stems, and leaves) that help them live in environments such as air, water, or land.
2. Each plant or animal has different structures that serve different functions in growth and survival (i.e., the way it moves, type of food it needs, and where it lives).
3. All animals depend on plants. Some animals eat plants for food. Other animals eat animals that eat the plants.
Earth/Space Science Standard 3: Properties Of Earth Materials - Earth materials consist of rocks, soils, water, and air.
1. Make observations of similarities and differences in rocks and minerals (i.e., size of particles, color pattern, and layering).
2. Soils have properties of color and texture, capacity to retain water, and ability to support the growth on many kinds of plants and animals, including those in our food supply.