Course Standards
General Course Information and Notes
General Notes
Special Notes:
Instructional Practices
Teaching from a range of complex text is optimized when teachers in all subject areas implement the following strategies on a routine basis:
- Ensuring wide reading from complex text that varies in length.
- Making close reading and rereading of texts central to lessons.
- Emphasizing text-specific complex questions, and cognitively complex tasks, reinforce focus on the text and cultivate independence.
- Emphasizing students supporting answers based upon evidence from the text.
- Providing extensive research and writing opportunities (claims and evidence).
Science and Engineering Practices (NRC Framework for K-12 Science Education, 2010)
- Asking questions (for science) and defining problems (for engineering).
- Developing and using models.
- Planning and carrying out investigations.
- Analyzing and interpreting data.
- Using mathematics, information and computer technology, and computational thinking.
- Constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering).
- Engaging in argument from evidence.
- Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information.
Additional content addressed on the Grade 4 NAEP Science assessment includes:
- Earth materials have properties that make them useful in solving human problems and enhancing the quality of life. (SC.6.E.6.2)
- The Sun warms the land, air, and water and helps plants grow. (SC.3.E.6.1;SC.3.L.17.2)
- Weather changes from day to day and during the seasons. (SC.2.E.7.1)
- Scientists use tools for observing, recording, and predicting weather changes. (SC.5.E.7.3; SC.5.E.7.4)
- Plants and animals have life cycles. (SC.2.L.16.1)
- Environment changes impact organism survival and reproduction. (SC.5.L.15.1)
- Organisms need food, water, air, and shelter. (SC.1.L.17.1)
- Some objects are composed of a single substance; others are composed of more than one substance. (SC.5.P.8.3)
- Heat (thermal energy) results when substances burn, materials rub against each other, and electricity flows though wires. (SC.3.P.11.2)
- Metals are conductors of heat and electricity. (SC.3.P.11.2)
- Increasing the temperature of any substance requires the addition of energy.
- Electricity flowing through an electrical circuit produces magnetic effects in the wires. Energy is transferred to the surroundings as light, sound, and heat (thermal energy). (SC.5.P.11.1; SC.5.P.11.2)
The NAEP frameworks for Science may be accessed at http://www.nagb.org/publications/frameworks/science-09.pdf
English Language Development ELD Standards Special Notes Section:
Teachers are required to provide listening, speaking, reading and writing instruction that allows English language learners (ELL) to communicate information, ideas and concepts for academic success in the content area of Science. For the given level of English language proficiency and with visual, graphic, or interactive support, students will interact with grade level words, expressions, sentences and discourse to process or produce language necessary for academic success The ELD standard should specify a relevant content area concept or topic of study chosen by curriculum developers and teachers which maximizes an ELL's need for communication and social skills. To access an ELL supporting document which delineates performance definitions and descriptors, please click on the following link: https://cpalmsmediaprod.blob.core.windows.net/uploads/docs/standards/eld/sc.pdf
General Information
- Class Size Core Required
Educator Certifications
Student Resources
Original Student Tutorials
Learn about the impact of the growth and development of space exploration on the culture and economy of Florida and how the inclusion of private partners helped reach new goals with this interactive tutorial.
This is part 3 in a three-part series. Click below to view the other tutorials in the series.
- Part 1: To the Moon - Space and the Florida Frontier
- Part 2: The Space Shuttle Era - Space and the Florida Frontier
- Part 3: Partners in Exploration - Space and the Florida Frontier
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn how the Space Shuttle program revived the area near Cape Canaveral, Florida, and how the possibility of living in space on the Space Station brought new jobs and excitement with this interactive tutorial.
This is part 2 in a three-part series. Click below to view the other tutorials in the series.
- Part 1: To the Moon - Space and the Florida Frontier
- Part 2: The Space Shuttle Era - Space and the Florida Frontier
- Part 3: Partners in Exploration - Space and the Florida Frontier
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about the early days of NASA, the work at Cape Canaveral during the Moon missions, and how this work affected the people and economy of Florida with this interactive tutorial.
This is part 1 in a three-part series. Click below to view the other tutorials in the series.
- Part 1: To the Moon - Space and the Florida Frontier
- Part 2: The Space Shuttle Era - Space and the Florida Frontier
- Part 3: Partners in Exploration - Space and the Florida Frontier
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore thermal energy and identify materials that allow thermal energy to transfer through them easily and materials that do not with this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore how the Gopher Tortoise, a keystone species in Florida, is at risk due to human impact on the environment and learn what is being done to help the Gopher Tortoise with this interactive tutorial
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Use observations to discover how the moon's appearance changes during a lunar cycle and learn the names of the moon's phases in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore how objects can be compared and sorted based on their physical properties in this fishing-themed, interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Practice distinguishing between observations and inferences that are based on observations as you help Darius fill in his science notebook in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn to discriminate between observations and inferences in scientific investigations, explore the importance of objectivity in science, classify different scientific methods, and distinguish empirical evidence from ideas and feelings within the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore how Earth rotates (spins) on its axis as it moves through space in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore how Earth revolves around the Sun in this interactive tutorial.
This is part 1 in a two-part series. Click to open Part 2.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn to convert a larger customary measurement unit into equivalent smaller units, including converting miles to yards and feet in this sports-themed interactive tutorial.
This is Part 2 of a two-part series. Click HERE to open Part 1: Measuring Length with Customary Units.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn to convert a larger customary measurement unit into equivalent smaller units, including converting yards to feet and inches, in this sports-themed interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore learned animal behaviors and the differences between hereditary and learned behaviors in this interactive tutorial.
This is part 2 of a two-part series. Click to open Part 1, which focuses on hereditary behaviors in animals.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Discover what a virus is, actions that cause viruses like the flu to spread from one person to another, and strategies to decrease the spread of viruses to others.
This interactive tutorial is part 2 in a two-part series. Click to open part 1.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Discover what a virus is, actions that cause viruses like the flu to spread from one person to another, and strategies to decrease the spread of viruses to others.
This interactive tutorial is part 1 in a two-part series. Click to open part 2.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn how animal behaviors may be shaped by heredity and learning and how to distinguish between the two types of behavior in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn why it's sometimes important to use social distancing to reduce the spread of germs and how to estimate and convert this customary distance with this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about the natural resources all around us in this interactive science tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about important natural resources, including limestone, silicon, and phosphate in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Compare the methods and results various groups have when they search for amphibians in an ephemeral wetland in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about natural resources that humans use for energy in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the Law of Conservation of Mass using your favorite building blocks in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Join in coaching the local soccer team and learn about the motion of objects with this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about mechanical energy, including its two forms--kinetic energy and potential energy--with this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore electrical energy and electricity in this interactive tutorial about forms of energy.
This is the fourth tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.
- Part 2: Heat Energy
- Part 3: Sound Energy
- Part 4: Electrical Energy
- Part 5: Mechanical Energy (Coming soon)
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn about sound, one of the main types of energy, as you complete this interactive science tutorial.
This is the fourth tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.
- Part 2: Heat Energy
- Part 3: Sound Energy
- Part 4: Electrical Energy
- Part 5: Mechanical Energy (Coming soon)
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Discover what heat energy is and the role it plays on the Earth in this interactive tutorial.
This is the fourth tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.
- Part 2: Heat Energy
- Part 3: Sound Energy
- Part 4: Electrical Energy
- Part 5: Mechanical Energy (Coming soon)
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Light is all around us and we need it to survive. In this interactive tutorial, learn about light energy and how it works!
This is the first tutorial in a five-part series. Click below to open the others in the series.
- Part 1: Light Energy
- Part 3: Sound Energy
- Part 4: Electrical Energy
- Part 5: Mechanical Energy (Coming soon)
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Learn how to create a line plot and analyze data in the line plot in this interactive tutorial. You will also see how to add and subtract using the line plot to solve problems based on the line plots.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore some facts about climate change and how it impacts our world in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Discover the methods scientists use to solve problems, answer questions, and make discoveries in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the seasons and how plants and animals adapt to the changing environment in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore food chains found in many Florida ecosystems as you complete this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore some non-native animals in Florida including the honeybee, Cuban tree frog, and lionfish in this interactive tutorial.
Click the link to open .
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore some native animals of Florida including the Florida panther, gopher tortoise, and American alligator in this interactive tutorial.
Click the link to open .
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore non-native plants of Florida, including orange trees, sugarcane, and Brazilian Peppertree in this interactive tutorial.
Click the link to open .
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore some native plants of Florida including bald cypress, longleaf pine and prickly pear in this interactive tutorial.
Click the link to open .
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore energy flow in the environment through food chains as you complete this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the path energy takes from the Sun to producers to consumers.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore animal traits and how they gain them as you complete this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore how traits of plants are affected by parents and the outside world in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the life cycle of different Florida seed plants: the longleaf pine and the orange tree.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the life cycles of animals including simple, complete metamorphosis and incomplete metamorphosis in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Follow the steps of the life cycle of flowering plants in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore different types of natural resources and analyze the aspects of non-renewable and renewable resources in this interactive tutorial. You'll be challenged to question what we do with our resources and why it is so important to consider what we do with them after we have used them.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Dig into the effects weathering and erosion have had on the shaping of our landscape. Sift through the rocks of our world and how weathering has cut and shaped them and how erosion has transported and molded the surfaces of the Earth.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the three categories of rocks and what makes each one unique.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the characteristics of minerals in our rock formations and what makes them unique. In this interactive tutorial, you'll learn about simple tests that are used to identify minerals.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Explore the motion of objects in the sky like the Sun, Moon and stars and their connection to the rotating Earth in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Identify some familiar changes in materials that result in other materials with different characteristics in this interactive tutorial.
Type: Original Student Tutorial
Educational Game
This game allows students an opportunity to identify different kinds of rocks based on an actual photograph of the rock as well as characteristics of the rock, which are also shown.
Type: Educational Game
Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiasts
Physics is a weighty subject, but this discussion of magnets and illusion brings a little levity.
Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.
Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast
An art studio manager describes how projects are designed and completed using mental, 2D, computer, and 3D models.
Download the CPALMS Perspectives video student note taking guide.
Type: Perspectives Video: Professional/Enthusiast
Student Center Activity
Students can practice answering reading comprehension questions with a text about online learning. With an account, students can save their work and send it to their teacher when complete.
Type: Student Center Activity
Text Resources
In this resource scientist Dr. Marc answers 6 interesting questions about space technology, the Earth and the Moon. There is an option to have Dr. Marc read the answers by simply clicking on the speaker icon beside each question.
Type: Text Resource
This resource provides information on some of Florida's non-native invasive fauna. The resource includes a list, description, and prevention guide for non-native invasive plant species in Florida.
Type: Text Resource
Tutorials
This Khan Academy tutorial video illustrates the conversion equivalence of liters, milliliters, and kiloliters.
Type: Tutorial
This Khan Academy tutorial video presents conventional examples that use specific customary units
Type: Tutorial
In this tutorial video from Khan Academy, explore the differences and similarities involved when converting between measurements in the metric and customary systems.
Type: Tutorial
In this video tutorial from Khan Academy, explore conversion within metric units of length, such as: kilometers, meters and centimeters.
Type: Tutorial
In this video tutorial from Khan Academy, explore U.S. customary units of fluid volume (teaspoon, tablespoon, fluid ounce, cup, pint, quart, and gallon).
Type: Tutorial
In this video tutorial from Khan Academy, explore pounds, ounces and tons.
Type: Tutorial
Video/Audio/Animations
This animation depicts key events of NASA's Mars Science Laboratory mission, which launched in late 2011 and landed a rover, Curiosity, on Mars in August 2012.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
Watch a demonstration of an experiment which tests the effectiveness of two different insulators. The participants will demonstrate their thinking as they run an experiment, identify variables and collect data.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
The beaver is often referred to as nature's own engineer. This video segment focuses on the beaver's ability to transform its environment to suit itself. The beaver does so with an innate ability to construct dams -- a feat no creature, save humans, is able to achieve.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
This video clip presents a fun experiment: wear an old sock over your shoe and then take a walk through a grassy or weedy field or forest, and finally plant the sock to see what grows from it. This experiment sheds some light on the local plant species and also helps teach the evolutionary strategies plants take advantage of to disperse seeds. A background essay provides some very helpful information about seed dispersal as well and discussion questions help sum it all up.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
This video segment produced for Teachers' Domain features a time-lapse video of clouds forming, changing, and moving across the sky from day to night.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
The students will watch a short video that shows them how sound is created and how it is interpreted by our brain.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
The students will watch a short video showing how different pitches are made.
Type: Video/Audio/Animation
Virtual Manipulatives
Consider a wide range of possibilities when problem solving by experimenting with materials. Play around with objects and ideas to discover that there may be more than one solution. You will have an opportunity to explore with an assortment of objects to create a path for a ball to take.
Type: Virtual Manipulative
Seasons, the periodic climate changes that occur throughout the year, are the result of Earth orbiting around the Sun, and the tilt of its axis. A variety of climate changes occur throughout the world; some have extreme changes in temperature, while others have rainy and dry seasons, yet little change in temperature.
Type: Virtual Manipulative
WebQuest
The website gives great information on the different biomes and ecosystems of the world.
Type: WebQuest