Critical Content/Concept Web

Critical Content/Concept Web

Subject: Science

Unit Theme:

Conceptual Lens:

Grade:

Possible Reporting Topics

RT 1: Experimental Design

There is a formal process called the Scientific Method used to conduct any experiment or investigation. Following the Scientific Method ensures valid results and that others can replicate the experiment to confirm the results. Science also has a formal method of classifying all living and nonliving things.

Performance Standards:

1.  State the problem or question

2.  Form a testable hypothesis

3.  Design an experiment

4.  List the steps to follow

RT 2: Data Collection

Follow the Scientific Method to conduct an experiment/investigation

1.  Select and use the appropriate tools (instruments) to collect data

2.  Record and graph the data

RT 3: Data Analysis

Follow the Scientific Method to analyze data, draw conclusions and report out on the experiment/investigation.

1.  Use the data and graph to describe what happened during the experiment

2.  Explain what happened during the experiment based on the data

3.  Make a prediction of what would happen if one of the parameters of the experiment were changed and defend it

4.  Create a lab report following the Scientific Method Format

Subject: Science
Grade: 4
Unit : Physical Science
Lens: Force & Motion

Enduring Understandings

/

Guiding Questions

EU1.Time and chronology has been used by man as a means for understanding past, present, and future events.
EU2. Time can be measured by observing the natural cycles of the sun and the moon.
EU3. Shadows cast by the sun can be used to measure and predict the passage of time during a day.
EU4. The phases of the moon follow a cycle that can be used to measure and predict the passage of time during a month.
EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / ·  How has man used time to understand past, present, and future events?
·  Why is time an important tool for cultures to record events?
·  How are the natural cycles of the sun and moon used to measure time?
·  How can a shadow be used to measure and predict the passage of time during a day?
·  What are the phases of the moon?
·  What do the phases of the moon tell us about the position of the sun?
·  How can the phases of the moon be used to measure and predict the passage of time?
·  How have the phases of the moon been used by different cultures to measure and predict the passage of time?
·  What is an escapement and how does it work?
·  How does a pendulum measure specific time intervals?
·  How does the design of a mechanical clock influence its accuracy?
·  How can the materials used to build a mechanical clock increase or decrease its accuracy?
·  Why is accuracy an important component of a mechanical clock?
Subject: Science
Grade: 4
Unit: Physical Science
Lens: Force and Motion
AC = Assessment Code: P – Prompts R-Rubric V-Video

Critical Content & Skills O – Observation WS – Work Samples PO-Portfolio

PR-Products SA – Student Self-Assessment T – Tests
Students will know: / AC / Students will be able to… / AC
The sun and the moon move in predictable cycles that can be observed and recorded. / Observe and record information about the natural cycles of the sun and the moon.
Variables can be controlled through the careful planning and conducting of experiments. / Learn to plan and conduct experiments in which variables are controlled.
The outcome of an experiment can be affected when the variable is changed. / Predict and test how changing a variable affects the outcome of an experiment.
The outcome of an experiment can be affected by the interpretation of the test results and the conclusions drawn. / Interpreting test results to draw conclusions about how changing variables affects the outcome of an experiment.
Information can be communicated in a variety of ways. / Communicating results through writing in notebooks; organizing information with charts, tables, and graphs; and discussion
Science information can be found in multiple resources. / Reading and researching science materials for more information.
Problem solving skills can be strengthened by applying previously learned concepts and skills. / Applying previously learned concepts and skills to solve a problem.

Unit: Physical Science/Measuring Time Grade: 4

Suggested Activities:

/ Enduring Understandings / Where is this unit located?
Brainstorm ideas and questions about time.
Investigate their sense of time by estimating the duration of one minute / EU1.Time and chronology has been used by man as a means for understanding past, present, and future events. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Observe the change in shadows cast by the sun.
Record the changes observed by marking the position of shadows at various time throughout the day. / EU2. Time can be measured by observing the natural cycles of the sun and the moon.
EU3. Shadows cast by the sun can be used to measure and predict the passage of time during a day. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Analyze observations from cast shadow activity and use them to construct a graph.
Build a sun clock and use a flashlight to produce simulated sun shadows.
Record and discuss observations and questions about sun clocks. / EU2. Time can be measured by observing the natural cycles of the sun and the moon.
EU4. Shadows cast by the sun can be used to measure and predict the passage of time during a day. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Read about calendars used by other cultures.
Design and construct a calendar.
Discuss different methods used to measure time. / EU2.Time and chronology has been used by man as a means for understanding past, present, and future events. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Compile lists of things they know about the moon and questions they have about the moon.
Record predictions about the sequence of the moon’s phases on moon-phase cards.
Observe the moon’s phases. / EU3. Time can be measured by observing the natural cycles of the sun and the moon.
EU4. The phases of the moon follow a cycle that can be used to measure and predict the passage of time during a month. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Examine the moon-phases predictions made in previous activity.
Manipulate a three-dimensional model to simulate the phases of the moon.
Discuss and refine their ideas about the cause of the moon’s phases. / EU2. Time can be measured by observing the natural cycles of the sun and the moon.
EU4. The phases of the moon follow a cycle that can be used to measure and predict the passage of time during a month. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Construct sinking water clocks.
Identify the variables that have an effect on the time it takes a water clock to sink.
Read about water clocks used by early cultures. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Identify experimental variables affecting sinking water clocks.
Experiment controlling variables.
Devise a data table to record test data. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Plan and conduct an experiment using sinking water clocks.
Construct a graph to summarize findings.
Interpret and discuss experimental results. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Identify characteristics of pendulums.
Plan an experiment to investigate how changing one variable affects the frequency of a pendulum. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Conduct the planned experiment recording findings.
Construct individual graphs summarizing findings.
Explain investigations to other students. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Investigate the effect of a second variable on the frequency of a pendulum.
Discover that the frequency of a pendulum is not affected significantly by changes in mass or starting angle but is affected by changes in length. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Build a working model of an escapement.
Discover how an escapement works. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Brainstorm how to improve the operation of a clock escapement.
Apply practical problem-solving skills to figure out how to make the clock escapement work.
Discuss the results of their troubleshooting strategies. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Identify variables that affect the length of time that the clock escapement will operate.
Invent ways to maximize the running time of the clock escapement. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / EH, Spalding, Frontier
Use data recorded in notebooks from previous experiments to plan and construct a device to measure a one-minute interval of time. / EU5. Mechanical devices can be constructed and used to measure specific intervals of time consistently.
EU6. The accuracy of mechanical clocks is dependent on their design, the materials from which they are constructed, and their energy source. / EH, Spalding, Frontier

Revised 2011