04-05

05-06

06-07

07-08

08-09

BENCHMARK

GRADE LEVEL EXPECTATIONS ARE PRINTED IN BOD PRINT.

SI-M-A1 identifying questions that can be used to design a scientific investigation

1.  Generate testable questions about objects, organisms, and events that can be answered through scientific investigation

2.  Identify problems, factors, and questions that must be considered in a scientific investigation

3.  Use a variety of sources to answer questions

SI-M-A2 designing and conducting a scientific investigation

4. Design, predict outcomes, and conduct experiments to answer guiding questions

5. Identify independent variables, dependent variables, and variables that should be controlled in designing an experiment

SI-M-A3 using mathematics and appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data

6.  Select and use appropriate equipment, technology, tools, and metric units of measurement to make observations

7.  Record observations using methods that complement investigations (e.g., journals, tables, charts

8.  Use consistency and precision in data collection, analysis, and reporting

9. Use computers and/or calculators to analyze and interpret quantitative data

SI-M-A4 developing descriptions, explanations, and graphs using data

10. Identify the difference between description and explanation

11.  Construct, use, and interpret appropriate graphical representations to collect, record, and report data (e.g., tables, charts, circle graphs, bar and line graphs, diagrams, scatter plots, symbols)

12. Use data and information gathered to develop an explanation of experimental results

13.  Identify patterns in data to explain natural events

SI-M-A5 developing models and predictions using the relationships between data explanations

15.  Identify and explain the limitations of models used to represent the natural world

16.  Develop models to illustrate or explain conclusions reached through investigation

17.  Use evidence to  make inferences, and predict trends

SI-M-A6 comparing alternative explanations and predictions

17.  Recognize that there may be more than one way to interpret a given set of data, which can results in alternative scientific explanations and predictions

18.  Identify faulty reasoning and statements that misinterpret or are not supported by the evidence

SI-M-A7 communicating scientific procedures, information, and explanations

19.  Communicate ideas in a variety of ways (e.g., symbols, illustrations, graphs, charts, spreadsheets, concept maps, oral and written reports, equations

20.  Write clear, step-by-step instructions that others can follow to carry out procedures or conduct investigations

21.  Distinguish between “observations” and inferences”

22.  Use evidence and observations to explain and communicate the results of investigations

SI-M-A8 utilizing safety procedures during scientific investigations

23.  Use relevant safety procedures and equipment to conduct scientific investigations

24.  Provide appropriate care and utilize safe practices and ethical treatment when animals are involved in scientific field and laboratory research

SI-M-B1 recognizing that different kinds of questions guide different kinds of scientific investigations

25.  Compare and critique scientific investigations

26.  Use and describe alternate methods for investigating different types of testable questions

SI-M-B2 communicating that current scientific knowledge guides scientific investigations

28.  Recognize that investigations generally begin with a review of the work of others

SI-M-B3 understanding that mathematics, technology, and scientific techniques used in an experiment can limit or enhance the accuracy of scientific knowledge

29.  Explain how technology can exp and the senses and contribute to the increase and/or modification of scientific knowledge

30.  Describe why all questions cannot be answered with present technologies

31.  Recognize that there is an acceptable range of variation in collected data.

32.  Explain the use of statistical methods to confirm the significance of data (e.g., mean, median, mode, range)

SI-M-B4 using data and logical arguments to propose, modify, or elaborate on principles and models

33.  Evaluate  models,  identify problems in design, and make recommendations for improvement

SI-M-B5 understanding that scientific knowledge is enhanced through peer review, alternative explanations, and constructive criticism

34.  Recognize the importance of communication among scientists about investigations in progress and the work of others

35.  Explain how skepticism about accepted scientific explanations (hypotheses and theories) leads to new understanding

36.  Explain why an experiment must be verified through multiple investigations and yield consistent results before the findings are accepted

37.Critique and analyze their own work and the work of others

SI-M-B6 communicating that scientific investigations can result in new ideas, new methods or procedures, and new techniques

38.  Explain that, through the use of scientific processes and knowledge, people can solve problems, make decisions, and form new ideas

SI-M-B7 understanding that scientific development/technology is driven by societal needs and funding.

39.  Identify areas in which technology has changed human lives (e.g., transportation, communication, geographic information systems, DNA fingerprinting)

40. Evaluate the impact of research on scientific thought, society, and the environment

PS-M-A1 investigating, measuring, and communicating the properties of different substances which are independent of the amount of the substance

1.  Measure and record the volume and mass of substances

2.  Calculate the density of large and small quantities of a variety of substances (e.g., aluminum foil, water, copper, clay, rock)

PS-M-A2 understanding that all matter is made up of particles called atoms and that atoms of different elements are different

3.  Construct models that replicate atomic structure for selected common elements from the periodic table

PS-M-A3 grouping substances according to similar properties and/or behaviors

4.  Differentiate between the physical and chemical properties of selected substances

5.  Compare physical and chemical changes

PS-M-A4 understanding that atoms and molecules are perpetually in motion

6.  Draw or model the movement of atoms in solid, liquid, and gaseous states

7.  Simulate how atoms and molecules have kinetic energy exhibited by constant motion

PS-M-A5 investigating the relationships among temperature, molecular motion, phase changes, and physical properties of matter

8.  Determine the temperature at which water changes physical phases (e.g., freezing point, melting point, boiling point

PS-M-A6 Investigating chemical reactions between different substances to discover that new substances formed may have new physical properties and do have new chemical properties

9.  Describe the properties of reactants and products of chemical reactions observed in the lab

PS-M-A7 understanding that during a chemical reaction in a closed system, the mass of the products is equal to that of the reactants

10.  Identify the average atomic masses of given elements using the periodic table

11.  Compare the masses of reactants and products of a chemical reaction

PS-M-A8 discovering and recording how factors such as temperature influence chemical reactions

12.  Determine the effect of particle size of the same reactants on the rate of chemical reactions during a lab activity (e.g., powdered vs. solid forms)

PS-M-A9 identifying elements and compounds found in common foods, clothing, household materials, and automobiles

13.  Use a variety of resources to identify elements and compounds in common substances

PS-M-B1 describing and graphing the motions of objects

14.  Construct and analyze graphs that represent one-dimensional motion (i.e., motion in a straight line) and predict the future positions and speed of a moving object

15.  Explain why velocity is expressed in both speed and direction

16.  Compare line graphs of acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration

PS-M-B2 recognizing different forces and describing their effects (gravity, electrical, magnetic)

17.  Describe and demonstrate that friction is a force that acts whenever two surfaces or objects move past one another

18.  Explain how the resistance of materials affects the rate of electrical flow

PS-M-B3 understanding that, when an object is not being subjected to a force, it will continue to move at a constant speed and in a straight line

19.  Identify forces acting on all objects

PS-M-B4 describing how forces acting on an object will reinforce or cancel one another, depending upon their direction and magnitude

20.  Draw and label a diagram to represent forces acting on an object

21.  Determine the magnitude and direction of unbalanced (i.e., net) forces acting on an object

PS-M-B5 understanding that unbalanced forces will cause changes in the speed or direction of an object’s motion

22.  Demonstrate that an object will remain at rest or move at a constant speed and in a straight line if it is not subjected to an unbalanced force

23.  Predict the direction of a force applied to an object and how it will change the speed and direction of the object

PS-M-C1 constructing and using classification systems based on the structure of organisms

24.  Describe and give examples of how all forms of energy may be classified as potential or kinetic energy

25.  Compare forms of energy (e.g., light, heat, sound, electrical, nuclear, mechanical)

26.  Describe and summarize observations of the transmission, reflection, and absorption of sound, light, and heat energy

PS-M-C2 understanding the different kinds of energy transformations and the fact that energy can be neither destroyed nor created

27.  Explain the relationship between work input and work output by using simple machines

28.  Explain the law of conservation of energy

29.  Compare and/or investigate the relationship between work, power, and efficiency

30.  Trace energy transformations in a simple system (e.g., flashlight)

PS-M-C3 understanding that the sun is a major source of energy and that energy arrives at the Earth’s surface as light with a range of wavelengths

31.  Compare types of electromagnetic waves from the Sun

PS-M-C4 observing and describing the interactions of light and matter (reflection, refraction, absorption, transmission, scattering)

32.  Identify key characteristics of waves (e.g., wavelength, frequency, amplitude)

33.  Predict the direction in which light will refract when it passes from one transparent material to another (e.g., from air to water, from prism to air)

34.  Apply the law of reflection and law of refraction to demonstrate everyday phenomena (e.g., how light is reflected from tinted windows, how light is refracted by cameras, telescopes, eyeglasses)

35.  Determine through experimentation whether light is reflected, transmitted, and/or absorbed by a given object or material through experimentation

36.  Explain the relationship between an object’s color and the wavelength of light reflected or transmitted to the viewer’s eyes

PS-M-C5 investigating and describing the movement of heat and the effects of heat in objects and systems

37.  Compare how heat is transferred by conduction, convection, and radiation

38.  Identify conditions under which thermal energy tends to flow from a system of higher energy to a system of lower energy

PS-M-C6 describing the types of energy that can be involved, converted, or released in electrical circuits

39.  Describe how electricity can be produced from other types of energy (e.g., magnetism, solar, mechanical)

PS-M-C7 understanding that energy is involved in chemical reactions

40.  Identify heat energy gains and losses during exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions

PS-M-C8 comparing the uses of different energy resources and their effects upon the environment

41.  Identify risks associated with the production and use of coal, petroleum, hydroelectricity, nuclear energy, and other energy forms

LS-M-A1 describing the observable components and functions of a cell, such as the cell membrane, nucleus, and movement of molecules into and out of cells

LS-M-A2 comparing and contrasting the basic structures and functions of different plant and animal cells

LS-M-A3 observing and analyzing the growth and development of selected organisms, including a seed plant, an insect with complete metamorphosis, and an amphibian

LS-M-A4 describing the basic processes of photosynthesis and respiration and their importance to life

LS-M-A5 investigating human body systems and their functions (including circulatory, digestive, skeletal, respiratory)

LS-M-A6 describing

how the human body changes with age and listing factors that affect the length and quality of life