Standard Course of Study :: Science — Grade 5

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

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Aligned lesson plans

Tree-ring dating: In Intrigue of the Past, page 2.5; In their study of dendrochronology, students use activity sheets and a discussion to apply principles of dendrochronology to determine a tree's age and to recognize climatic variation. They will also analyze and experience how archaeologists can sometimes use tree rings to date archaeological evidence and study past climates.; Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science)

Nature's checks and balances: This unit introduces students to several essential understandings. They will learn that plants and animals depend on one another for survival and organisms interact within nature to create a balance. They will also learn that humans can influence and manipulate nature.; Format: lesson plan (grade 5 English Language Arts and Science); By Nicolette Heise.

Ecosystem problem solving: Students will apply their knowledge of ecosystems and the interdependence of plants and animals to creatively solve problems.; Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); By Kelley Turner.

Decomposition: Students will observe decomposition in a pile of grass clippings and in a compost heap over time.; Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); By Monica Dubbs.

Resources on the web

What's so key about a keystone species?: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students learn about tiger sharks through Web sites such as National Geographic's "Filming Tiger Sharks" site. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

What do we know about nurse shark mating?: In this lesson, from Xpeditions, students use National Geographic articles to learn some basic information about nurse sharks and see photographs of scientists conducting nurse shark studies. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

What did they eat?: Introduces students to the SuperCroc (Sarcosuchus imperator) and its eating habits. Students will also investigate the eating habits of American alligators and Nile crocodiles, drawing pictures and writing paragraphs explaining the similarities and differences... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

The water column: Where do ocean animals belong?: In this Xpeditions lesson, students learn about three broad ocean habitats-the intertidal zone, the open ocean, and the abyss-and find out about some specific adaptations animals have made in each of these regions. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Social trade-offs: The purpose of this lesson, from Science NetLinks, is to make and evaluate decisions by weighing the benefits and drawbacks of each alternative. In the lesson, students practice the skill of decision-making through role-playing. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science); Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Prairie-chicken pageant: Students will study the habits of prairie-chickens and learn about what is being done to save them and to conserve the areas in which they live. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Paperbag paleontology: Cornell Paleontologist John Chiment enlists the aid of younger school children in sorting through materials collected at a dig site and, in the process, demonstrates that anyone can “do science.” (Learn more); Format: activity/lesson plan (grade K–5 Science); Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Owls: Top of a food chain: This lesson will serve as visual proof that owls eat rodents and use this energy to survive. Owls excrete the parts of the rodent that they are unable to digest, leading students to infer that they are recycled in the soil. Using commercial owl pellets,... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

Leopard seals and penguins: A delicate balance: In this lesson from Xpeditions, students consider the factors that could contribute to the disruption of the delicate balance between leopard seals and penguins in the Antarctic. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Introducing biodiversity: In this Science NetLinks lesson, students use online resources to identify the basic components necessary for biodiversity and the critical and countless benefits of habitats, as well as the serious present and future threats to their ongoing existence. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 Science); Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

If a tree falls in the forest...: Students will explore the role that forests play in their own lives by listing everyday products made from trees. Then students will research and categorize less common products that may be less familiar to them. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Ferocious felines: In this Xpeditions lesson, students study the biota—or flora and fauna—of the Kalahari Desert, and the importance of the lion's role as predator within this ecosystem. This lesson engages students in small group collaboration, research using online... (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 3–5 English Language Arts and Science); Provided by: Xpeditions

Eco-Cycle: Finding the parts of an ecosystem: This lesson from Xpeditions uses the Eco-Cycle Station in National Geographic's Xpedition Hall to introduce students to ecosystems in Hawaii, as well as the plants and animals that make up the ecosystems. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Design a regional "eco park": In this Xpeditions lesson, students use the Internet to find out about the plants and animals that live in their local area. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 5 Science and Social Studies); Provided by: National Geographic

Crane Cam: Conservation and community: In this Xpeditions lesson, students examine the intended and unintended consequences of human environmental intervention. They study crane activity in the Platte River Valley and research the effects of human intervention on bird populations. (Learn more); Format: lesson plan (grade 4–5 Science); Provided by: National Geographic

Cicada emergence: In this Science Update, from Science NetLinks, biologist Keith Clay explains how periodical cicadas know when to emerge. (Learn more); Format: activity/lesson plan (grade 5 Science); Provided by: American Association for the Advancement of Science

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