Chambersburg Area School District

CHAMBERSBURG AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT COURSE OF PLANNED INSTRUCTION

SCHOOL CASD DEPARTMENT______Elementary DATE____2000 – 2001__

COURSE TITLE Science / Health GRADE 4 COURSE LENGTH 36__

LESSON FREQUENCY (PER WEEK) 5 TIME 30 min. COURSE REVISED____2000 - 2001______

COURSE CREDIT COURSE REQUIRED ELECTED

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I. MAJOR COURSE OJBECTIVES AND STUDENT PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (PA STANDARDS : #1 = COMMUNICATION ARTS and #2 = MATHEMATICS

All Students Will:

A. LIFE SCIENCE - Understand living things are diverse, interdependent, and evolving. They require care for a healthy and safe development.

1. Demonstrate knowledge that living things adapt in many ways and that it helps them survive in diverse environments. (1.1.5-A; 1.1.5-F; 1.2.5-A)

2. Identify hazardous elements in the environment and preventative safety. (1.1.5-A; 1.1.5-F; 1.2.5-A)

3. Demonstrate school and environmental safety skills (bus, fire, street crossing safety, and playground procedures). (1.1.5-A; 1.1.5-F; 1.2.5-A)

B. EARTH SCIENCE - Understand the earth is in the universe and that it is constantly changing requiring intervention and preservation by man.

1. Demonstrate knowledge that the earth is in a system that is always changing. (1.1.5-A; 1.1.5-F; 1.2.5-A) (2.1.5-C, F,G; 2.2.5-B thru E, I; 2.5.5-A thru C, E,F)

2. Understand the relationship between humans, the environment, and natural resources. (1.1.5-A; 1.1.5-F; 1.2.5-A)

C. PHYSICAL SCIENCE – Understand matter and energy, which have distinct properties, can interact and be converted from one form to another.

1. Demonstrate knowledge of different kinds of matter that have distinctive properties and interact with energy in predictable ways. (1.1.5-A; 1.1.5-F; 1.2.5-A) (2.1.5-C; 2.2.5-A thru I; 2.3.5-A thru E; 2.4.5-E,F; 2.5.5-A thru F; 2.11.5-A thru F)

2. Investigate the distinctive properties of physical and chemical change. (1.1.5-A; 1.1.5-F; 1.2.5-A) (2.1.5-C; 2.2.5-E,I; 2.3.5-A thru E; 2.4.5-E,F; 2.5.5-A thru F; 2.6.5-A,E; 2.11.5-A thru F)

D. PROCESS SKILLS – Apply process skills to develop and solve problems and develop concepts in life, earth, and physical science.

1. Demonstrate the use of research skills to apply the scientific method. (1.1.5-B; 1.5.5-A thru G; 1.8.5-A thru C) (2.6.5-A thru E; 2.7.5-A thru J)

2. Demonstrate the appropriate use of technology and materials to explore scientific investigations. (1.6.5-A, C thru F) (2.5.5-A thru F; 2.6.5-A thru E; 2.8.5- A thru I)

II. CONTENT OUTLINE AND TIME ALLOCATION

1. LIFE SCIENCE

A. Unit A – A World of Living Things

1. Investigate how and why living things are classified. 2. Identify and describe animal growth and adaptations to their environment. 3. Describe and compare plant growth and adaptations. 4. Explore the human body systems and their interaction with one another.

B. Unit B – Looking at Ecosystems

1. Describe what an ecosystem is. 2. Identify and compare different types of ecosystems. 3. Explore soil as a natural resource (properties and conservation practices). 4. Explain changes that occur to an ecosystem and ways that we can help reduce negative changes.

2. EARTH SCIENCE

A. Unit C – Earth’s Surface

1. Identify the different layers of the earth and the importance of each layer. 2. Investigate the causes of earthquakes and the effects on the ecosystems. 3. Describe how volcanoes form. 4. Identify different types of rocks and minerals to understand the pattern of changes of the rock cycle. 5. Investigate and describe how fossils form. 6. Describe how fossils can help us understand our earth’s past.

B. Unit D – Patterns on Earth and in Space

1. Explore what makes up the earth’s atmosphere. 2. Investigate how air masses affect weather and how weather is predicted. 3. Describe what roles the oceans play in the water cycle. 4. Demonstrate understanding of the water cycle and the importance of keeping water supplies clean. 5. Investigate the properties of water and its importance in sustaining all types of environments.

3. PHYSICAL SCIENCE

A. Unit E – Matter and Energy

1. Describe the three states of matter. 2. Explain how matter can be measured and compared. 3. Illustrate some useful properties of matter. 4. Explore how heat can affect matter and thermal energy can be transferred. 5. Investigate what sound is and why sounds differ. 6. Demonstrate how sound waves travel. 7. Explore static electricity, electric current, magnets and electromagnets.

B. Unit F – Forces and Motion

1. Explore what motion is and what effects forces have on objects. 2. Describe what are some examples of forces in nature. 3. Explore and demonstrate how simple machines and forces can help us solve technological problems. 4. Illustrate how simple machines help us do work. III. TEXTS, MATERIALS, AND MAJOR RESOURCES

1. Computer internet resources (i.e.: www.si.edu/harcourt/science, www.scilinks.org/harcourt, www.harcourtschool.com ) 2. Outside speakers / Community Resources 3. Harcourt Text 4. Fire Safety by local fire departments 5. CASD Department of Transportation Bus Safety Program 6. Classroom library (books on science topics) 7. Harcourt Video library (CNN Turner Learning) 8. Harcourt audio tape series

IV. PROCEDURES FOR ASSESSMENT OF PA ACADEMIC STANDARDS

1. P.S.S.A. test 2. C.A.T. test 3. Portfolio 4. Science fair projects 5. Classroom experiments 6. Create visual aides such as charts, posters, and dioramas 7. Written reports and presentations 8. Written tests 9. Class participation 10. Teacher generated assessments (rubric scored project, tests)

V. SPECIAL CONDITIONS OR PREREQUISITES

All teachers must teach a minimum of four units: one unit from Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science, with the fourth unit being at the teacher’s discretion. It is encouraged that all six units are taught.

VI. COURSE EVALUATION PROCEDURE

1. P.S.S.A. test 2. C.A.T. test 3. Student feedback 4. Student observation 5. Daily Work 6. Program Completion 7. Tests, Quizzes 8. Homework 9. Major Projects 10. Student Feedback 11. Standardized Test Scores 12. Monitoring by instructor, department chair, and principal, and revised as needed or as part of the CASD curriculum revision cycle

VII. ACCOMMODATIONS (Describe methods of assistance to students needing additional learning opportunities and/or enrichment activities for students who are capable of advanced work)

CORRECTIVES ENRICHMENTS

1. Modification of tests 1. Computer activities a. Highlighting key words/phrases 2. Research projects b. Oral reading of the test 3. I. E. P. c. Resource teacher 4. Hands-on projects d. Reduction of the number of questions 5. Compaction e. Project with rubric 6. Student demonstration projects f. Word bank 7. Being a student aide

2. Audio tape program 3. Additional time 4. I.E.P. 5. Resource Room 6. Video tape series 7 7. Computer activities