BENCHMARKS

Properties of substances

Uses properties to sort natural and manufactured materials and objects (e.g., size, weight, shape, color, texture, hardness) (Grades K, 1, 2, 3)

Motion of objects

Describes the relative position and motion of objects

Sound, light, and waves

Describes experiences with sound (for example, vibrations, echoes, pitch) (Grade 3); describes experiences with light in terms of bouncing off, passing through, and changes in path directions (Grade 4)

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Systems

Identifies the parts of a system, how the parts go together, and how they depend on each other

Energy sources and kinds

Understands that energy keeps things running and comes in many forms (Grade 4)

Energy transfer and transformation

Knows that energy can be transferred between various forms or objects (e.g., elastic potential energy changing to energy of motion)

Structure of matter

Knows that matter is made of small particles (Grade 2)

Physical and chemical change

Knows that matter can undergo changes of state (e.g., evaporation, condensation, freezing, thawing)

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Nature of forces

Describes forces in terms of strength and direction

Forces to explain motion

Investigates and recognizes factors which determine the effects of a push or pull on the motion of objects

BENCHMARKS

Nature and properties of earth materials

Observes and examines physical properties of earth materials such as rocks and soil, water (as liquid, solid, and vapor) and the gases of the atmosphere (Grades 1, 2, 3)

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5^th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Components and patterns of the earth system

Recognizes that the earth is a spherical planet with a mainly solid interior and a surface composed of landforms, bodies of water, and an atmosphere

Components of the solar system and beyond (universe)

Knows that the earth is one of several planets that orbit the sun, and the moon orbits the earth

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Processes and interactions in the earth system

Identifies processes that slowly change the surface of the earth (e.g., erosion, weathering), and those that rapidly change the surface of the earth (such as landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes)

History and evolution of the earth

Recognizes that fossils provide evidence of plants, animals, and environments that existed long ago

Hydrosphere/atmosphere

Observes and measures weather indicators (e.g., temperature, wind direction and speed, precipitation), noting changes and patterns of change from day to day and over the seasons (Grade 1)

Interactions in the solar system and beyond

Observes and describes the patterns of movement of the sun and moon relative to each other and the earth, and relates them to the earth?s rotation

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Basis of biological diversity

Distinguishes living organisms from nonliving objects, and uses characteristics to sort common organisms into plant and animal groups (e.g., microscopic plants and animals)

Knows that living organisms have basic needs that distinguish them from nonliving objects (e.g., need for nutrients, water, air, and energy)

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5^th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Structure and organization of living systems

Knows that living things are composed of parts made of cells

Molecular basis of heredity

Describes the life cycles of plants and animals, and recognizes the differences between inherited and acquired characteristics (Grade 1)

Human biology

Understands the organization and function of human body structures and internal organs, and how they work together (Grade 3)

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Life processes and the flow of matter and energy

Recognizes that living things need constant energy supplied from food or light and that, in ecosystems, substances such as air, water, nutrients, and the chemicals in food are continually recycled (Grade 4)

Biological evolution

Knows that fossil records show evidence of organisms that existed long ago

Interdependence of life

Describes how an organism?s behavior and ability to survive are influenced by its environment, other life forms, and availability of food and/or other resources (Grade 4)

Environmental and resource issues

Knows humans and other living things depend on the natural environment, and can cause changes in their environment that affect their ability to survive

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Questioning

Asks questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment

Designing and conducting investigations

Plans and conducts simple investigations using appropriate tools, measures, and safety rules

Evidence and explanation

Uses data to construct reasonable explanations (MS 1.4)

Modeling

Models systems, events, or processes by representing them with concrete objects, metaphors, analogies, or other conceptual or physical constructs (e.g., graphic organizers)

Communication

Records and reports observations, explanations, and conclusions using oral, written, and mathematical expression

(MS 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.2, 5.3)

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Identifying problems

Identifies problems found in familiar contexts in which science/technology can be or have been used to design solutions

Designing and testing solutions

Proposes, designs, and tests a solution to a problem

Evaluating potential solutions

Evaluates how well a design or a product solves a problem

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade.

BENCHMARKS

Intellectual honesty

Understands that all scientific observations should be reported accurately even when they contradict expectations

Limitations of science and technology

Distinguishes between questions that can be answered with science and technology and those that cannot

Dealing with inconsistencies

Explains why similar investigations may not produce similar results

Evaluating methods of investigation

Recognizes that results of scientific investigations can come from expected and unexpected sources (through sharing the results of investigations)

Evolution of scientific ideas

Knows that ideas in science change as new scientific thinking, theories, and evidence arise

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade

BENCHMARKS

All peoples contribute to science and technology

Knows that science and technology have been practiced by all peoples throughout history

Relationship of science and technology

Recognizes that people have invented tools for everyday life and for scientific investigations

Careers and occupations using science, mathematics, and technology

Identifies the knowledge and skills of science, mathematics, and technology used in common occupations

* Underlined bullets are taught at 5th grade.? Other bullets have been addressed in a prior grade