Diocese of Harrisburg
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
Diocese of Harrisburg Science Curriculum Grade 3
The following document has been written to incorporate the Pennsylvania State Academic Standards for Science, Environment and Ecology, written by the Department of Education, January 5, 2002
Updated 6/6/08
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
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Diocese of Harrisburg EARTH Astronomy Earth’s Interior and Surface
Earth’s Waters
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
Grade 3
Date Assessed
Identify the five major biomes: AQUATIC, DESERT, FOREST, GRASSLAND, and TUNDRA. Identify and compare animals and plant life for each environment. Discuss the locations, climate and temperature of each biome. (3.1.4.A) (3.3.4.A) (3.3.4.B) (3.5.4.A) (3.5.4.C)
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Explore oceanography. Discuss the location, features and composition of ocean water; ocean life and the food chain; resources from the ocean. (3.1.4.A) (3.5.4.C)
Resources and Materials
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Identify various water sources: creeks, rivers, lakes, ponds and swamps. Investigate sources of drinking water. (3.5.4.D)
Environmental
Weather and Climate
Define local environment. Discuss the importance of recycling. Identify pollutants and their sources. Identify human activities and how they affect the environment. (3.1.4.A) (3.6.4.A)
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Discuss the water cycle. Include evaporation, condensation, precipitation (types), surface run-off, transpiration and infiltration. (3.1.4.A) Discuss the differences between weather and climate. Determine what factors constitute weather (water, air and heat).
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Compare the climates in the various biomes. (3.5.4.D)
Inquiry and Design
Grade 3 Introduce the steps of the SCIENTIFIC METHOD: Research, Problem, Hypothesis, Experimentation and Conclusion. (3.2.4.A) (3.2.4.C) (3.2.4.D)
Updated 6/6/08
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
Date Assessed
Resources and Materials
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Diocese of Harrisburg LIFE Animals
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
Grade 3
Date Assessed
Resources and Materials
Investigate animals that live in the various biomes. Discuss how they survive in their environment.
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Explore the food chain (predators, consumers, scavengers, decomposers, omnivores, carnivores and herbivores) in each biome. (3.1.4.A) (3.5.4.C)
Cells and Heredity Health and Biology Microorganisms and Plants
Explore vegetation’s role in the food chain. Discuss the role of vegetation in renewable energy resources (ethanol) and how it has economic consequences. (3.1.4.A)
PHYSICAL Chemistry
Electricity and Magnetism Energy (Kinetic, Potential and Nuclear)
Grade 3 Know that combining two or more substances can make new materials with different properties (physical and chemical changes) as it relates to the water cycle. (3.4.4.A)
Discuss energy resources. Non-renewable (fossil fuel, coal, petroleum) and renewable (solar, water, wind and biomass).
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Date Assessed
Resources and Materials
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Investigate methods for conserving energy resources. (3.4.4.B)
Motion and Forces Waves (sound and light)
Investigate the sources, behaviors and characteristics of light (reflection, refraction and absorption). Discuss light waves. (3.1.4.D) Investigate the sources, behaviors and characteristics of sound waves (pitch and volume). Discuss sound waves and how sound is created. (3.4.4.C)
Updated 6/6/08
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
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Diocese of Harrisburg CURRICULUM MAP
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
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Grade 1
Grade 2
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Grade 3
Grade 4
Grade 5
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
EARTH Astronomy Earth’s Interior & Surface
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Earth’s Waters
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Environmental
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Weather & Climate
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LIFE Animals
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Cells & Heredity Health & Biology
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Microorganisms & Plants
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PHYSICAL Chemistry
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Electricity & Magnetism
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Energy (Kinetic, Potential & Nuclear)
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Motion & Forces
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Waves (sound, light)
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INQUIRY AND DESIGN ●
Updated 6/6/08
Grade 3 Science Curriculum
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