Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Weather

Describe the weather day to day over the seasons.

Observe daily changes in weather.

Collect, record, and interpret data on daily  weather conditions

Conclude that weather changes from day to day.

Recognize factors that affect weather, such as temperature, wind, precipitation, and clouds.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Weather

The Sun as Source of Light and Heat

Describe the weather day to day over the seasons.

[4STE] Recognize that the sun supplies heat and light to the earth and is necessary for life.

Communicate descriptions of weather conditions.

Infer what would happen under various weather conditions.

Infer that areas receiving direct sunlight are warmer than shaded areas.

Identify different surfaces and communicate the fact that some surfaces absorb more of the sun’s heat than do other surfaces.

Demonstrate that some materials absorb more of the sun’s heat than do other materials

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Observe daily changes in weather.

Collect, record, and interpret data on daily  weather conditions

Conclude that weather changes from day to day.

Recognize factors that affect weather, such as temperature, wind, precipitation, and clouds.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Weather

Describe the weather day to day over the seasons.

[4STE] Recognize that the sun supplies heat and light to the earth and is necessary for life.

Predict differences in temperature readings.

Measure and record the temperature of different materials.

Demonstrate that wind, or moving air, can make objects move.

Infer that wind can blow fast or slow.

Infer that water changes from water vapor to liquid water when warm air touches a cold surface.

(condensation)

Identify a variety of weather conditions involving water in different forms.

Use the process of measuring and the concepts related to units of measurement.

Measure in everyday problem situations.

Make and use estimates of measurement. 

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Communicate descriptions of weather conditions.

Infer what would happen under various weather conditions.

Infer that areas receiving direct sunlight are warmer than shaded areas.

Identify different surfaces and communicate the fact that some surfaces absorb more of the sun’s heat than do other surfaces.

Demonstrate that some materials absorb more of the sun’s heat than do other materials

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Weather

[11STE] Explain how air temperature, moisture, wind speed and direction, and precipitation make up the weather in a particular place and time.

[12STE] Distinguish among the various forms of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, and hail), making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.

[13STE] Describe how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.

[14STE] Differentiate between weather and climate.

Infer that air takes up space and has weight.

Describe the make up of the atmosphere.

Observe that earth is warmed unevenly.

Infer why warm air rises.

Describe how wind is produced and measured.

Describe ways that snow affects people around the world.

Discuss tools that measures aspects of weather (barometer, anemometer, win vane, rain gauge, wind sock.)

Use the process of measuring and the concepts related to units of measurement.

Measure in everyday problem situations.

Make and use estimates of measurement. 

Collect, organize and describe data.

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Predict differences in temperature readings.

Measure and record the temperature of different materials.

Demonstrate that wind, or moving air, can make objects move.

Infer that wind can blow fast or slow.

Infer that water changes from water vapor to liquid water when warm air touches a cold surface.

(condensation)

Identify a variety of weather conditions involving water in different forms.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Weather

[11STE] Explain how air temperature, moisture, wind speed and direction, and precipitation make up the weather in a particular place and time.

[12STE] Distinguish among the various forms of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, and hail), making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.

[13STE] Describe how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.

[14STE] Differentiate between weather and climate.

Predict and observe how temperature changes air pressure.

Explain how gravity relates to air pressure.

Explain how wind can be a source of energy.

Explain ways that the amount of water vapor in the air affects the weather.

Observe and classify different types of clouds.

Identify clouds associated with different types of weather.

Analyze, evaluate, and apply knowledge about weather conditions and patterns.

Use the process of measuring and the concepts related to units of measurement.

Measure in everyday problem situations.

Make and use estimates of measurement. 

Collect, organize and describe data.

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Infer that air takes up space and has weight.

Describe the make up of the atmosphere.

Observe that earth is warmed unevenly.

Infer why warm air rises.

Describe how wind is produced and measured.

Describe ways that snow affects people around the world.

Discuss tools that measures aspects of weather (barometer, anemometer, win vane, rain gauge, wind sock.)

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Weather

[11STE] Explain how air temperature, moisture, wind speed and direction, and precipitation make up the weather in a particular place and time.

[12STE] Distinguish among the various forms of precipitation (rain, snow, sleet, and hail), making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.

[13STE] Describe how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.

[14STE] Differentiate between weather and climate.

Analyze, evaluate, and apply knowledge about severe weather and safety precautions.

Interpret data about hours of sunlight in winter and summer and its relationship to changes to seasons.

Investigate how the tilt of the earth’s axis affects changing seasons world wide.

Infer why microclimates occur.

Investigate three major types of climates.

Discover how scientists study climatic change.

Use the process of measuring and the concepts related to units of measurement.

Measure in everyday problem situations.

Make and use estimates of measurement. 

Collect, organize and describe data.

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Predict and observe how temperature changes air pressure.

Explain how gravity relates to air pressure.

Explain how wind can be a source of energy.

Explain ways that the amount of water vapor in the air affects the weather.

Observe and classify different types of clouds.

Identify clouds associated with different types of weather.

Analyze, evaluate, and apply knowledge about weather conditions and patterns.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Earth’s Materials

[1STE] Recognize that water, rocks, soil, and living organisms are found on the earth’s surface.

[2STE] Understand that air is a mixture of gases that is all around us and that wind is moving air.

Discuss the three components of earth (land, water, and air)

Observe different layers of earth’s surface.

Compare the different types of soil that compose earth’s surface.

Examine different components of soil.

Observe how water is observed by soil.

Observe how water puddles seem to disappear.

Collect, organize and describe data.

Make observations and explain what is being observed.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Earth’s Materials

[1STE] Recognize that water, rocks, soil, and living organisms are found on the earth’s surface.

[2STE] Understand that air is a mixture of gases that is all around us and that wind is moving air.

Group different components of soil.

Infer that dry soil observes more water than moist soil.

Observe the characteristics of rocks.

Classify rocks according to hardness.

Demonstrate that wind, or moving air, can make objects move.

Infer that wind can blow fast or slow.

Collect, organize and describe data.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world.

Discuss the three components of earth (land, water, and air)

Observe different layers of earth’s surface.

Compare the different types of soil that compose earth’s surface.

Examine different components of soil.

Observe how water is observed by soil.

Observe how water puddles seem to disappear.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Earth’s Materials

[1STE] Recognize that water, rocks, soil, and living organisms are found on the earth’s surface.

[2STE] Understand that air is a mixture of gases that is all around us and that wind is moving air.

Classify soil as living, nonliving, or once living.

Discover how objects change form in soil over time.

Experiment to discover what materials change form in soil.

Collect, record and interpret data about how objects change in soil.

Infer that buried food scraps decay in food soil and benefit the soil.

Classify rocks according to hardness.

Experiment with individual rocks to determine hardness.

Observe that air takes up space.

Collect, organize and describe data.

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world.

Group different components of soil.

Infer that dry soil observes more water than moist soil.

Observe the characteristics of rocks.

Classify rocks according to hardness.

Demonstrate that wind, or moving air, can make objects move.

Infer that wind can blow fast or slow.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Rocks and Their Properties

[6STE] Give a simple explanation of what a mineral is and some examples, e.g., quartz, mica.

[7STE] Identify the physical properties of minerals (hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak), and explain how minerals can be tested for these different physical properties.

[8STE] Identify the three categories of rocks (metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary) based on how they are formed, and explain the natural and physical processes that create these rocks.

Identify and label sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.

Compare and classify rocks by their physical properties.

Investigate and describe the types of rocks.

Model the earth’s layers.

List ways that fossils form in sediments.

Collect, organize and describe data.

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Classify rocks according to hardness.

Experiment with individual rocks to determine hardness.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Rocks and Their Properties

[6STE] Give a simple explanation of what a mineral is and some examples, e.g., quartz, mica.

[7STE] Identify the physical properties of minerals (hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak), and explain how minerals can be tested for these different physical properties.

[8STE] Identify the three categories of rocks (metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary) based on how they are formed, and explain the natural and physical processes that create these rocks.

Identify the physical properties of minerals (hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak.)

Investigate the properties of minerals and classify them according to their properties.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Identify and label sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks.

Compare and classify rocks by their physical properties.

Investigate and describe the types of rocks.

Model the earth’s layers.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Rocks and Their Properties

[6STE] Give a simple explanation of what a mineral is and some examples, e.g., quartz, mica.

[7STE] Identify the physical properties of minerals (hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak), and explain how minerals can be tested for these different physical properties.

[8STE] Identify the three categories of rocks (metamorphic, igneous, and sedimentary) based on how they are formed, and explain the natural and physical processes that create these rocks.

Compare and classify rocks by their physical properties. 

Illustrate and explain the rock cycle.

Describe the role rocks play in daily life due to their properties (e.g. Diamond saw blades, talc for powder.)

Explain how fossils help people understand changes in the earth’s crust.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Identify the physical properties of minerals (hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak.)

Investigate the properties of minerals and classify them according to their properties.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Soil

[9STE] Explain and give examples of the ways in which soil is formed (the weathering of rock by water and wind and from the decomposition of plant and animal remains).

[10STE] Recognize and discuss the different properties of soil, including color, texture (size of particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability to support the growth of plants.

Identify basic types of soil.

Explore soil as a natural resource.

Investigate soil as a role.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Classify soil as living, nonliving, or once living.

Discover how objects change form in soil over time.

Experiment to discover what materials change form in soil.

Collect, record and interpret data about how objects change in soil.

Infer that buried food scraps decay in food soil and benefit the soil.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Soil

[9STE] Explain and give examples of the ways in which soil is formed (the weathering of rock by water and wind and from the decomposition of plant and animal remains).

[10STE] Recognize and discuss the different properties of soil, including color, texture (size of particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability to support the growth of plants.

Infer how rain might affect soil.

Compare methods of conserving soil.

Show the role decomposition plays in regards to soil.

Discuss soil as a natural resource.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Identify basic types of soil.

Explore soil as a natural resource.

Investigate soil as a role.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Soil

[9STE] Explain and give examples of the ways in which soil is formed (the weathering of rock by water and wind and from the decomposition of plant and animal remains).

[10STE] Recognize and discuss the different properties of soil, including color, texture (size of particles), the ability to retain water, and the ability to support the growth of plants.

Infer how mountains and streams help make soil.

Create new methods of conserving soil.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Infer how rain might affect soil.

Compare methods of conserving soil.

Show the role decomposition plays in regards to soil.

Discuss soil as a natural resource.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

The Water Cycle

[15STE] Describe how water on earth cycles in different forms and in different locations, including underground and in the atmosphere.

[16STE] Give examples of how the cycling of water, both in and out of the atmosphere, has an effect on climate.

Compare the amount of land and water on earth.

Infer why water is important to living things.

Identify the kind of water people need and how they use it.

Describe the relationships between evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in the water cycle.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Infer that water changes from water vapor to liquid water when warm air touches a cold surface.

(condensation)

Identify a variety of weather conditions involving water in different forms.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

The Water Cycle

[15STE] Describe how water on earth cycles in different forms and in different locations, including underground and in the atmosphere.

[16STE] Give examples of how the cycling of water, both in and out of the atmosphere, has an effect on climate.

Observe water the way it moves.

Predict the way water will travel.

Infer why changes occur in water flow.

Identify sources of fresh water.

Explain how many cities get their fresh water from rivers, lakes, and wells.

Describe examples of places where getting fresh water cannot be taken for granted.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Compare the amount of land and water on earth.

Infer why water is important to living things.

Identify the kind of water people need and how they use it.

Describe the relationships between evaporation, condensation, and precipitation in the water cycle.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

The Water Cycle

[15STE] Describe how water on earth cycles in different forms and in different locations, including underground and in the atmosphere.

[16STE] Give examples of how the cycling of water, both in and out of the atmosphere, has an effect on climate.

Investigate the kinds of organisms that live in water and how they can be removed from water.

Observe the effects of acid rain on living things.

Explain what the rain shadow effect.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Observe water the way it moves.

Predict the way water will travel.

Infer why changes occur in water flow.

Identify sources of fresh water.

Explain how many cities get their fresh water from rivers, lakes, and wells.

Describe examples of places where getting fresh water cannot be taken for granted.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Earth’s History

[17STE] Give examples of how the surface of the earth changes due to slow processes such as erosion and weathering, and rapid processes such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

Explain how fossils help people understand changes in the earth’s crust.

Explain how physical weathering changes the earth’s crust.

Explain how chemical weathering changes the earth’s crust.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Classify soil as living, nonliving, or once living.

Discover how objects change form in soil over time.

Collect, record and interpret data about how objects change in soil.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Earth’s History

[17STE] Give examples of how the surface of the earth changes due to slow processes such as erosion and weathering, and rapid processes such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

Make and use models of rock layers and observe the effects of movement on them.

Predict what rock layers will look like when forced together.

Locate earth’s fault lines and demonstrate possible effects of their movements.

Investigate and model the effects of plate movements (Pangea.)

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Explain how fossils help people understand changes in the earth’s crust.

Explain how physical weathering changes the earth’s crust.

Explain how chemical weathering changes the earth’s crust.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Earth’s History

[17STE] Give examples of how the surface of the earth changes due to slow processes such as erosion and weathering, and rapid processes such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes.

Discuss the difference between physical and chemical weathering.

Describe cause of erosion and deposition (streams, waves, glaciers, wind, etc)

Infer how plants affect erosion.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Make and use models of rock layers and observe the effects of movement on them.

Predict what rock layers will look like when forced together.

Locate earth’s fault lines and demonstrate possible effects of their movements.

Investigate and model the effects of plate movements (Pangea.)

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Periodic Phenomena

[5STE] Identify some events around us that have repeating patterns, including the seasons of the year, day and night.

Explain how earth’s rotation causes day and night.

Observe how the moon changes shape in a cycle.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Knowledge of shapes.

Classify daytime and nighttime activities.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Periodic Phenomena

[5STE] Identify some events around us that have repeating patterns, including the seasons of the year, day and night.

Describe how the moon moves in space.

Describe the earth’s movement on its axis.

Observe and record the phases of the moon.

Investigate how the sun affects the earth.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Explain how earth’s rotation causes day and night.

Observe how the moon changes shape in a cycle.

Content Outline

Massachusetts Science Framework Standard(s)

Concept Objective

Associated Mathematics Skills

Prerequisite Skills

Periodic Phenomena

[5STE] Identify some events around us that have repeating patterns, including the seasons of the year, day and night.

Explain how earth’s rotation causes day and night and makes the moon and stars appear to move.

Identify the phases of the moon.

Collect, organize and describe data

Construct, read, and interpret displays of data.

Formulate and solve problems that involve collecting and analyzing data.

Describe model and draw shapes.

Recognize and appreciate geometry in the world

Describe how the moon moves in space.

Describe the earth’s movement on its axis.

Observe and record the phases of the moon.

Investigate how the sun affects the earth.

Content Outline