Science Overview
Textbook: None
SKILLS: These skills apply to the five topics of study identified for Grade 5. The organization of these skills reflects a general pattern of science activity, not a fixed instructional sequence. At Grade 5, students normally will show independence and the ability to work cooperatively in exploratory activities and, with some guidance, the ability to work independently or cooperatively in investigative activities. At this level, students should be able to describe the purpose of most steps followed in investigative activities. ATTITUDES: These attitudes apply across the five topics of study identified for Grade 5. |
Science Links
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Topic A: Electricity and Magnetism
Overview: Students learn about electricity by building and testing circuits. Using batteries, bulbs and wires, students construct simple circuits and test the effects of various modifications. Through such tests, they discover that a circuit requires a closed pathway for electricity and that some materials conduct electricity and others do not. They learn that an electric current can affect a nearby magnet and that this property of electricity is used in making electromagnets and motors. Potential dangers are examined, as students learn about thesafe use of electricity. |
Topic B: Wheels and Levers
Overview: Students learn about basic components of simple machines: how they are assembled, how they operate, how they are used. Students explore different techniques that can be used to transfer motion from one component to another, using simple connectors and various levers, gears, pulleys and band driven systems. As they work with these components, they learn the functions that each can perform, including sample applications and ways that they can be used in a larger system. As part of their studies, they examine how these simple machines are used to change the speed or force of movement. |
Topic C: Building Devices and Vehicles that Move
Overview: Students apply simple techniques and tools in building devices and vehicles that move. In constructing these objects, students apply previous learnings about structures and explore new applications for wheels, rollers, gears, pulleys and a variety of levers and connectors. They learn that different forms of energy can be used to propel their model devices: in some cases, a direct push; in other cases, the stored energy from a compressed spring or falling weight. On completing their projects, students learn to evaluate their work, by describing the effectiveness of the device and the appropriateness of materials used. |
Topic D: Light and Shadows
Overview: Students learn about light by studying the effects of light on things within their environment. They learn about light sources, about materials that light can pass through and about what happens when a material blocks or changes the path of light. By observing shadows and their motions relative to a light source, students discover that light and shadows fall along a predictable path. They discover that mirrors, prisms and a variety of other materials can affect that path by reflecting and refracting light and by splitting light into colours. |
Topic E: Plant Growth and Changes
Overview: Students learn about the structure and growth of plants by raising plants in the classroom and by observing plant growth within the community. They learn to recognize and describe different forms of leaves, stems, roots and flowers and learn their functions in supporting the growth and reproduction of the plant. They learn various ways of starting new plants and the plants’ requirements for growth. Through hands-on activities, students learn that different plants have different needs, and they gain skills and attitudes for their care. |