Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic

The student will plan and conduct investigations in which

a)      distinctions are made among observations, conclusions, inferences, and predictions;

b)     hypotheses are formulated based on cause-and-effect relationships;

c)      variables that must be held constant in an experimental situation are defined;

d)     appropriate instruments are selected to measure linear distance, volume, mass, and temperature;

e)      appropriate metric measures are used to collect, record, and report data;

f)      data are displayed using bar and basic line graphs;

g)      numerical data that are contradictory or unusual in experimental results are recognized; and

Force, Motion, and Energy

The student will investigate and understand characteristics and

interaction of moving objects. Key concepts include

a)      motion is described by an object’s direction and speed;

b)     forces cause changes in motion;

c)      friction is a force that opposes motion; and

The student will investigate and understand the characteristics of

electricity. Key concepts include

a)      conductors and insulators;

b)     basic circuits (open/closed, parallel/series);

c)      static electricity;

d)     the ability of electrical energy to be transformed into heat, light, and mechanical energy;

e)      simple electromagnets and magnetism; and

The student will investigate and understand basic plant anatomy and

life processes. Key concepts include

a)      the structures of typical plants (leaves, stems, roots, and flowers);

b)     processes and structures involved with reproduction (pollination, stamen, pistil, sepal, embryo, spore, and seed);

c)      photosynthesis (sunlight, chlorophyll, water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, and sugar); and

d)     dormancy.

The student will investigate and understand how plants and animals

in an ecosystem interact with one another and the nonliving

environment. Key concepts include

a)      behavioral and structural adaptations;

b)     organization of communities;

c)      flow of energy through food webs;

d)     habitats and niches;

e)      life cycles; and

The student will investigate and understand how weather conditions

and phenomena occur and can be predicted. Key concepts include

a)      weather measurements and meteorological tools (air pressure – barometer, wind speed – anemometer, rainfall – rain gauge, and temperature – thermometer); and

The student will investigate and understand the relationships among

the Earth, moon, and sun. Key concepts include

a)      the motions of the Earth, moon, and sun (revolution and rotation);

b)     the causes for the Earth’s seasons and phases of the moon;

c)      the relative size, position, age, and makeup of the Earth, moon, and sun; and

The student will investigate and understand important Virginia

natural resources. Key concepts include

a)      watershed and water resources;

b)     animals and plants;

c)      minerals, rocks, ores, and energy sources; and

d)     forests, soil, and land.