Rockingham County Public Schools

Fifth Grade Science Benchmarks

A Guide for Parent Involvement

1st Nine Weeks

Review scientific method

 

Plan and conduct investigations (5.1)

á       Rocks, minerals, and organisms are identified using a classification key

á       Estimations of length, mass, and volume

á       Appropriate instruments are selected and used for length, mass, volume, and elapsed time (thermometer, meter, stick, balance, graduated cylinder)

á       Collect, record, and report data using graphs, charts, and diagrams

á       Predictions are made using patterns, and simple graphical data are extrapolated

á       Manipulated and responding variables are identified  

 

Matter (5.4)

á       Atoms, elements, molecules, compounds

á       Mixtures including solutions

á       Effect of heat on the states of matter

 

Earth/ocean systems (5.6)

á       Geological characteristics of  oceans (continental shelf, slope, rise)

á       Physical characteristics (depth, salinity, major currents)

á       Biological characteristics (ecosystems)

 

Earth patterns, cycles, and changes (5.7)

á       The rock cycle (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic)

á       Earth history and fossils

á       Structure of the earthÕs interior (crust, mantle, core)

á       Plate tectonics (faults, plates, earthquakes, volcanoes)

á       Weathering and erosion

á       Human impact 

 

Review related 4th grade SOLs:

 

Earth/atmospheric systems; 4.6

á       Weather measurements and meteorological tools

á       Air pressure-barometer

á       Wind speed-anemometer

á       Rainfall-rain gauge

á       Temperature-thermometer

á       Weather phenomena (fronts, clouds, and storms)

 

Earth/space systems; 4.7

á       Motions of Earth, moon, and sun (rotation and revolution)

á       Causes for EarthÕs seasons

á       Phases of the moon

á       Earth, moon, and sun (relative size, position, age, and makeup)

á       Historical contributions in understanding Earth-moon-sun system

 

Virginia Natural Resources; 4.8

á       Water resources and watersheds

á       Animals and plants

á       Minerals, rocks, ores, energy sources

á       Forests, soil, land

2nd Nine Weeks

Plan and conduct investigations (5.1)

á       Use appropriate tools for experiments

á       collect and record data

 

Matter (5.4)

á       Atoms, Elements, Molecules, Compounds

á       Mixtures including solutions

á       Effect of heat on the states of   matter

 

Living systems (5.5)

á       Basic cell structures and functions

á       Kingdoms of living things

á       Vascular and nonvascular plants

á       Vertebrates and invertebrates

 

Earth/ocean systems (5.6)

á       Geological characteristics of  oceans (continental shelf, slope, rise)

á       Physical characteristics (depth, salinity, major currents)

á       Biological characteristics (ecosystems)

 

Earth patterns, cycles, and changes (5.7)

á       The rock cycle (igneous, sedimentary, metamorphic)

á       Earth history and fossils

á       Structure of the earthÕs interior (crust, mantle, core)

á       Plate tectonics (faults, plates, earthquakes, volcanoes)

á       Weathering and erosion

á       Human impact

 

Review related 4th grade SOLs:

 

Plant life processes; 4.4

á       Plant anatomy (leaves, stems, roots, flowers)

á       Reproduction processes & structures (pollination, stamen, pistil, sepal, embryo, spore, seed)

á       Photosynthesis (sunlight, chlorophyll, water, carbon dioxide, oxygen, sugar)

á       Dormancy

 

Ecosystems; 4.5

á       Behavioral and structural adaptations

á       Organization of communities

á       Flows of energy - food     webs

á       Habitats and niches

á       Life cycles

á       Impact of human activity on ecosystems

 

Earth/space systems; 4.7

á       Motions of Earth, moon, and sun (rotation and revolution)

á       Causes for EarthÕs seasons

á       Phases of the moon

á       Earth, moon, and sun (relative size, position, age, and makeup)

á       Historical contributions in understanding Earth-moon-sun system

 

 

 

 

 

3rd Nine Weeks

Plan and conduct investigations (5.1)

á       Use appropriate tools for   experiments

á       collect and record data

 

Force, motion, and energy-sound (5.2)

á       Frequency, waves, wavelength, vibration

á       Different media transmitting sound  (liquids, solids, gases)

á       Uses and application (voice, sonar, animal sounds, musical instruments)

 

Force, motion, and energy-light (5.3)

á       Visible spectrum, light waves

á       Refraction of light through water and prisms

á       Reflection of light from reflective surfaces (mirrors)

á       Opaque, transparent, translucent materials

á       Historical contributions in understanding light

 

Living systems (5.5)

á       Basic cell structures and functions

á       Kingdoms of living things

á       Vascular and nonvascular plants

á       Vertebrates and invertebrates

 

Review related 4th grade SOLs:

 

Force, motion, and energy; 4.2

á       Motion described by objectÕs direction and speed

á       Forces cause changes in motion

á       Friction is a force that opposes motion

á       Moving objects have kinetic energy

 

Electricity; 4.3

á       Static electricity

á       Historical contributions

á       Electrical energy transformed into heat, light, and mechanical energy

á       Conductors and Insulators

á       Basic Circuits (open/close, parallel/series)

á       Simple electromagnets and magnetism

 

SOL Review:

á       Review past 5th grade science tests containing SOL related questions

á       Use commercially and locally produced science SOL materials to review 4th and 5th grade science SOL objectives (such as Blast Off, Coach, locally created questions, etc.) 

 

 

 

4th Nine Weeks

Review scientific method

 

Plan and conduct investigations (5.1)

á       Rocks, minerals, and organisms are identified using a classification key

á       Estimations of length, mass, and volume

á       Appropriate instruments are selected and used for length, mass, volume, and elapsed time (thermometer, meter, stick, balance, graduated cylinder)

á       Collect, record, and report data using graphs, charts, and diagrams

á       Predictions are made using patterns, and simple graphical data are extrapolated

á       Manipulated and responding variables are identified

 

Review related 4th grade SOLs:

 

Force, motion, and energy; 4.2

á       Motion described by objectÕs direction and speed

á       Forces cause changes in motion

á       Friction is a force that opposes motion

á       Moving objects have kinetic energy

 

Electricity; 4.3

á       Static electricity

á       Historical contributions

á       Electrical energy transformed into heat, light, and mechanical energy

á       Conductors and Insulators

á       Basic Circuits (open/close, parallel/series)

á       Simple electromagnets and magnetism

 

 

SOL Review:

á       Review past 5th grade science tests containing SOL related questions

á       Use commercially and locally produced science SOL materials to review 4th and 5th grade science SOL objectives (such as Blast Off, Coach, locally created questions, etc.) 

 

 

 

SOL Test

 

 

Review of any previous units, enrichment activities, investigations and projects based on interest areas in science.

 

 

 

**  The numbers throughout the Benchmarks refer to the Virginia Science Standards of Learning objectives.  For example, Ò5.4Ó refers to Fifth Grade SOL objective number Ò4Ó.