The school year will be divided into two main units, with sub-topics for each one. The first half of the year we will learn about the Animal Kingdom, we'll take a break for a couple of weeks in December, then the second part of the year, we will explore introductory engineering:
BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Classification & Observation - September
Biomes and Habitats - October (Salmon Egg Activity)
Migratory Patterns - November (Migration Dioramas)
Life Cycles
Mr. DeMaio's Learning about Climates
Mr. DeMaio's Learning about Ecosystems
Mr. DeMaio's Plant Parts for Kids
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
Force and Motion: gravity, push/pull, friction, tension, magnets.
Mr. DeMaio's Volcano Facts For Kids
WEATHER/STATES OF MATTER
We will also be learning about weather patterns here in Oregon, and around the world. Rather than dedicating a few weeks specifically to weather, we will be making observations and predictions throughout the year. If you have an opportunity to talk about weather at home, please go right ahead!
Mr. DeMaio's Cloud Facts For Kids
Students will have opportunities to observe, investigate, and explore in these units. They will get outside in the rain and sunshine to collect data which they will use later in math class. They will go on field trips to Ankeny Wildlife Preserve and Bonneville Dam where they will extend what they know about animals and engineering. They will draw on those experiences when they are asked to write their research papers and creative writing samples.
It's going to be a blast so stay tuned for more details!!