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Environmental Stewardship Limited Resources vs. Unlimited Wants	Third Grade Science at Swain Swain's third graders participate in three 40 minute science classes per week. Our class periods are filled with interactive, hands-on experiences that promote natural curiosity interest, and discovery found in young learners. In third grade we use the scientific method to create experiments, take data, review at results and make conclusions. In September we classify, analyze, graph and summarize information related to our waste streams at Swain. We broaden our understanding of environmental stewardship by taking a look at the global impacts of our local actions. We define renewable resources, review the 4 R's and locate renewable resources geographically. We will also begin learning about conservation/management and protection of natural resources. In October, the students dive into wet chemistry to learn about the scientific method hands on through an analysis of a soil brought in from home. We perform child friendly tests for pH, phosphorus, potassium and more on our soil samples. We keep journals for our labs, discuss the importance of healthy soil and how to amend soil. We look at forces that change the land and begin to understand ways to reduce soil erosion. Through our analyses on soil we also discuss forces that change air and water quality. In November, we will wrap up our soils, air and water unit and spend a few class periods going discussing health and wellness with a review of the food groups, discussion of a balanced diet and experiments about digestion. In December, we learn about the six simple machines. This unit will contain a project where the students will invent their own machines. We will keep a science journal and complete many labs related to each type of machine. January will focus on measurement. We will perform kitchen chemistry style experiments to learn how to use triple beam balances, beakers, graduated cylinders, rulers, and much more. There will be class demonstrations showing the concepts of density, surface tension and much more! During this unit the third graders will be challenged to learn about conversions (as an introduction for more conversions in math in fourth grade). In February we will concentrate on living versus non-living and we will begin our understanding that the cosmos is made up of patterns and cycles that involve visible and invisible materials. We will use the oxygen cycle, water cycle and nitrogen cycle as our backdrop. March will focus on elementary energy and energy flow in communities. We will discuss what forms of energy can be found around us, renweable and non-renewable energy sources, how the Sun's energy works in nature, how energy is used to produce food, how electrical energy travels and much more! April will include work on animals and plants. We will begin with a review of basic definitions and work toward using measurements to describe plants and animals, learn about classification of plants through use of a dichotomous key, and complete experiments in our gardens at Swain. In May, we itegrate with a social studies trip to a coal mine by discussing Derricks and Drums. We review the creation of fossil fuels, use of fossil fuels, types of coal and more. In June, the children will vote on a subject related to science...and Mrs. Bardman will create a curriculum based on the children's desires! ***ASSIGNMENTS - I will be sending homework home on an as needed basis. When it comes home it is expected that there will be little parental assistance, unless otherwise noted. I will also send home papers about events and information related to the subjects we are studying in science - these are not required items - they are for enrichment only. Please direct any questions or comments to me at cbardman@swain.org. YOUR CHILDREN ARE A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH! THANK YOU FOR SHARING THEM WITH ME!! Back to Mrs. Bardman's Homepage Back to Mrs. Richards Back to Mrs. Fragin
Soil, Air, Water
Health and Wellness
Simple Machines
Measurement and Kitchen Chemistry
Cycles in Science
Energy Flow in Communities
Biomes, Ecosystems, Pennsylvania Native Plants and Animals
Derricks and Drums

Environmental Stewardship

Limited Resources vs. Unlimited Wants

Third Grade Science at Swain

Swain's third graders participate in three 40 minute science classes per week. Our class periods are filled with interactive, hands-on experiences that promote natural curiosity interest, and discovery found in young learners. In third grade we use the scientific method to create experiments, take data, review at results and make conclusions.

In September we classify, analyze, graph and summarize information related to our waste streams at Swain. We broaden our understanding of environmental stewardship by taking a look at the global impacts of our local actions. We define renewable resources, review the 4 R's and locate renewable resources geographically. We will also begin learning about conservation/management and protection of natural resources.

In October, the students dive into wet chemistry to learn about the scientific method hands on through an analysis of a soil brought in from home. We perform child friendly tests for pH, phosphorus, potassium and more on our soil samples. We keep journals for our labs, discuss the importance of healthy soil and how to amend soil. We look at forces that change the land and begin to understand ways to reduce soil erosion. Through our analyses on soil we also discuss forces that change air and water quality.

In November, we will wrap up our soils, air and water unit and spend a few class periods going discussing health and wellness with a review of the food groups, discussion of a balanced diet and experiments about digestion.

In December, we learn about the six simple machines. This unit will contain a project where the students will invent their own machines. We will keep a science journal and complete many labs related to each type of machine.

January will focus on measurement. We will perform kitchen chemistry style experiments to learn how to use triple beam balances, beakers, graduated cylinders, rulers, and much more. There will be class demonstrations showing the concepts of density, surface tension and much more! During this unit the third graders will be challenged to learn about conversions (as an introduction for more conversions in math in fourth grade).

In February we will concentrate on living versus non-living and we will begin our understanding that the cosmos is made up of patterns and cycles that involve visible and invisible materials. We will use the oxygen cycle, water cycle and nitrogen cycle as our backdrop.

March will focus on elementary energy and energy flow in communities. We will discuss what forms of energy can be found around us, renweable and non-renewable energy sources, how the Sun's energy works in nature, how energy is used to produce food, how electrical energy travels and much more!

April will include work on animals and plants. We will begin with a review of basic definitions and work toward using measurements to describe plants and animals, learn about classification of plants through use of a dichotomous key, and complete experiments in our gardens at Swain.

In May, we itegrate with a social studies trip to a coal mine by discussing Derricks and Drums. We review the creation of fossil fuels, use of fossil fuels, types of coal and more.

In June, the children will vote on a subject related to science...and Mrs. Bardman will create a curriculum based on the children's desires!

***ASSIGNMENTS - I will be sending homework home on an as needed basis. When it comes home it is expected that there will be little parental assistance, unless otherwise noted. I will also send home papers about events and information related to the subjects we are studying in science - these are not required items - they are for enrichment only.

Please direct any questions or comments to me at cbardman@swain.org.

YOUR CHILDREN ARE A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH!

THANK YOU FOR SHARING THEM WITH ME!!

Back to Mrs. Bardman's Homepage

Back to Mrs. Richards

Back to Mrs. Fragin