Ledyard Public Schools

Grade 3 Science Curriculum

Unit of Study: EARTH

Suggested Time: 8 Weeks

Content Standard 4.3 Water has a major role in shaping the Earth’s surface. Water circulates through the Earth’s crust, oceans and atmosphere.

Essential Question:How do external and internal sources of energy affect the Earth’s systems?

Focus Question #1 How does the sun’s energy drive the water cycle? Focus Question #2 What is the role of water in erosion and river formation?

Expected performances (B12)  The student will be able to:

a. define the terms evaporation, condensation, and precipitation.

b. describe and model the water cycle.

c. explain that the amount of water on Earth does not change, but continuously cycles through the Earth’s crust, oceans, and atmosphere.

d. describe how the sun’s energy impacts the water cycle.

Expected performances (B13)  The student will be able to:

a. explore how water moves through different types of Earth materials in order to shape the Earth’s surface.

b. describe the role of water in erosion and river formation.

 

Required Activities:

1. Engage:  Students will work in groups to answer the question, “Where in the world can we find water (either as a solid, liquid or gas?)”  Students will record ideas using words and pictures in a journal.  Teacher will facilitate discussion that water exists in the oceans, lakes, rivers and streams, as well as in the ground, in glaciers and in the atmosphere.

Teacher notes:  It is suggested that students keep science journals/notebooks.  (Refer to teacher resource Science Notebooks, Writing About Inquiry by Brian Campbell for appropriate models for written response and scientific drawings.)

2. Students will be introduced to the abundance of water on Earth.  They will locate and identify major locations of water and ice on Earth.  Delta Activity 1, Activity Sheet 1, Part B Delta Science Module Water Cycle  (B12c,d  BINQ1,2)

3. Students will investigate the ability of soil to hold water.  Delta Activity 2, Delta Science Module Water Cycle ( B13a  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

4. Students will infer that plants contain water.  Delta Activity 3, Delta Science Module Water Cycle  (B12c  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

5. Students will observe evaporation by noting changes in water level in an open tumbler.  Delta Activity 4, Delta Science Module Water Cycle  (B12a,b  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

6. Students will predict what will happen to water in a puddle on a sunny day and then design and carry out an experiment to check their predictions.  Delta Activity 5, Delta Science Module Water Cycle  (B12a,d  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

7. Students will observe that plants and soil give off water vapor.  Delta Activity 6, Delta Science Module Water Cycle  (B13a,c  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

8. Students will observe condensation of water vapor.  Delta Activity 8, Delta Science Module Water Cycle  (B12a,b  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

9. Students will learn about cloud formation and precipitation through the creation of a model cloud.  Delta Activity 9, Delta Science Module Water Cycle  TEACHER DEMONSTRATION ONLY  (B12a,b  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

10. Students will observe evaporation and condensation in a closed system which demonstrates the water cycle.  Delta Activity 12  TEACHER DEMONSTRATION ONLY  (B12a,b  BINQ1,3,4,5,6,9,10)

11. Students model the effects of erosion on a pan of soil (see Science Lab on Erosion in Appendix.) (Ledyard Erosion Unit)  (B13a,b  BINQ1,2,3,4,5,6,7,9,10)

12. Students use informational text and/or internet resources to describe the role of water in river formation.  (B13b  BINQ 8) (Technology Standard 5)

 

Assessment:

Students will draw a diagram of the water cycle and label where evaporation, condensation, and precipitation occur.  Students will then explain in writing why the amount of water in the cycle remains the same.  Students will also explain the role of the sun in the water cycle.  (B12d  BINQ6)  (Students may use a drawing/text program on the computer.) (Technology Standard 3)

Students will make conclusions and respond in writing to the Erosion Activity (see Ledyard unit)  (B13b)

 

Vocabulary

• Condensation – process of changing from gas to liquid when heat is taken away

• Deposition – the process in which materials eroded by water, wind, or ice are moved to a new place

• Erosion – the movement of weathered materials by water, wind, or ice

• Evaporation – process of changing from liquid to gas when heat is added

• Gully – a stream

• Precipitation – any form of water that falls from clouds to Earth, such as rain, snow, sleet or hail

• Water cycle – constant movement of water from Earth to the atmosphere and back to Earth; water evaporates, condenses to form clouds, and falls to Earth as precipitation

• Weathering – the breaking down and searing away of rock

 

Optional Activities:

Refer to optional activities provided in Delta Science Module – Water Cycle and on internet sites

 

Resources Needed:

Student:

Teacher:

Internet:

The Water Cycle-interactive:  www.epa.gov/region07/kids.wtrcycle.htm

Droplet and the Water Cycle: http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/droplet.html 

 

CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS

Health: Research how a dehumidifier works and why people use them during muggy weather.

Language Arts : Non-fiction writing to explain conclusions and results. Writing to explain the water cycle from the perspective of a rain drop.

Mathematics: Measuring volume, collecting and analyzing data.

Social Studies: Landforms, New England, Desert, Rainforest Units.

Technology: Computer drawings of water cycle. Research smog and its formation.

 

Bold face indicates CORE expected performances to be assessed by CMT.

 

Ledyard Public Schools

Approved by Instructional Council on 4/10/2006