Note: Weblinks appear only once although they may address more than one benchmark.
5th Grade Science Benchmark Targets by Strand
By year's end, all students will:
| Strand | # | Benchmark Target |
Link to TEKS | Curriculum Connection |
| Nature of Science | 1. | Demonstrate safe practices during classroom, field and home investigations. Keep in mind the conservation and proper disposal of resources (recycle). | 5.1 | On-going/All Units |
| 2. | Plan, conduct, analyze and communicate results of teacher provided and student initiated investigation. Emphasis on steps of scientific method: 1) well-defined question, 2)observations using all senses, 3)hypothesis – educated guess, 4)materials/procedures, 5)collect/analyze data, 6)use data to draw conclusions and make inferences to construct appropriate graphic organizers. | 5.2 | On-going/All Units | |
| Science Fair Helps Lots of Project Ideas stresses safety and doing your own work Inch Square Observations A 1 inch window helps us focus on a small area student activity sheet |
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| 3. | Collect and analyze data using appropriate tools, including triple-beam balance, and metric measurements to conduct scientific inquiries. | 5.4 | On-going/All Units | |
Animation to show how maginification works. Scanning electron microscope, animal vegetable mineral at one lever |
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| 4. | Analyze, review and critique scientific explanations, including natural world models (solar system), promotional materials (food labels) and famous scientists' contributions. | 5.3 | On-going/All Units | |
| HyperHistory timeline Scanning Electron Microscope animal, vegetable, mineral game at one lever American Museum of Natural History New York, NY Dallas Museum of Natural History Florida Museum of Natural History Gainesville, FL The Field Museum Chicago, Illinois Smithsonian Institute Washington, DC Java visualizations of electromagnetic principles New form of Lightening discovered! |
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| Organization of Living Systems | 5. | Identify and describe simple systems focusing on changes and interactions; explore systems in general (communication, transportation, solar) in order to build a foundation of the concept, move on to body systems and ecosystems. Compare life cycles of plants and animals. | 5.5, 5.6 | Cycles in Nature, From Single Cells to Body Systems, Living Things Interact, Biomes, Protecting and Preserving Ecosystems, Forms of Energy, Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources; Lunar and Seasonal Cycles |
National Major Land Uses Map very comprehensive information about climate, topography etc. within a few clicks Webquests of space, environment, and living things cacao museum questions and answers about this plant Artic Animals Enchanted Learning Artic Animals portfolio of birds, mammals, and sea mammals Smithsonian Water Bioluminescence List of Endangered Species in US List of Animals Removed from Endangered list with reason which includes some extinctions Animal Classification Book simple lesson with writing connection |
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6.
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Identify and distinguish between inherited traits and learned behaviors. | 5.10 | Animal Growth & Reproductions, Living Things Interact |
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What are incentives? student activity Group Rules and Expectations Lesson Plan |
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| Interdependence of Organisms and the Environment | 7.
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Identify the significance of the water, carbon and nitrogen cycles. | 5.6B | Cycles in Nature |
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USA Today States forecast index Weather Charts for Memorable Weather Events Enchanted Learning Water Cycle |
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Explain the relationship between adaptations and survival of members of a species, with particular attention to organism’s unique niche and competition between species. | 5.6 C, 5.9 | From Single Cells to Body Systems, Animal Growth and Reproduction, Living Things Interact, Biomes, Protecting & Preserving Ecosystems |
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New Insect Order discovered in Africa EarthWatch Field Expeditions in North America Names of Collective Groups of Animals Classification of Animals A quick, easy review of characteristicsAnatomy of Human Eye excellent illustrations |
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| Structures and Properties of Matter | 9. | Identify and classify matter according to its physical properties. *mixtures, dissolving, melting/boiling points+ |
5.7 | Matter & Its Properties, Atoms & Elements |
Scholar version of Periodic Table of the Elements Alphabetical List of Elements with Symbol and Atomic Number also includes a use of the Element The Atoms Family Check out this link! Timeline of the discovery of the Elements requires Flash it is worth exploring!
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| Motion, Forces, and Energy | 10. | Identify and compare forms of energy: light (reflection/refraction), sound (vibration), heat, electrical (circuits) and alternative energy sources. | 5.8 | Atoms & Elements, Living Things Interact, Forms of Energy, How People Use Energy |
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Interactive animation of light reflection Interactive animation of multiple reflections Interactive animation of light refraction Exploring different properties of light New Form of Lightening discovered! Newton's Laws of Motion How do you test the 1st lawof Motion? Tumbler's Seesaw Experiment into Second Law Balloon Exploration of Third Law Outdoor Activity to test Third Law Magnetic
lines of Force an experiment that helps you observe magnetic force
in action. Renewable Energy SourcesSolar Energy
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| Earth Science Targets | 11. | Recognize and appreciate the cause and effect relationships between past, present and future events in nature (weathering, erosion, dissolving). | 5.11, 5.12A | Animal Growth & Reproductions, Atoms & Elements, Living Things Interact, Protecting & Preserving Ecosystems, Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources, How People Use Energy |
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Image Gallery Weather and Planetary Geological Tour of Enchanted Rock State Park Geological Tours of National Parks Severity of an Earthquake explains Richter Scale Most Earthquakes occur in specific areas along plate edges |
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| 12. | Identify and compare the physical characteristics of the Earth and moon. | 5.12C | How Do Earth and Moon Compare? | |
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Moon Phases and Visible Planets Virtual Moon Phases by date go to Math Science:Matter Ask an Astronomer rather difficult, probably more likely to be a teacher resource. Use left side for navigation. World Almanac for Kids - Space Windows to the Universe excellent site! Sky at a Glance a daily guide to what's in view |
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| 13. | Relate how the force of gravity keeps planets and moons in orbit. | 5.12D | How Do Earth and Moon Compare? | |
Erupting volcano, can be adjusted to other planets Why are stars and planets round? Solar System at a Glance real time and adjustable positions Good and Bad Astronomy in "Laura Croft ,Tombraider" |
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| 14. | Describe processes responsible for the formation of fossil fuels. | 5.12B | Renewable & Nonrenewable Resources | |
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| TEKS SEARCH | Marco Polo Search by TEXAS TEKS Alignment | |||
| Monthly Themes | Education Place | |||
| Thematic | Teachers' Corner monthly themes | |||
| Journey North | Inquiry based learning, integrates science, social studies, math | |||
| photoperiod information | Complete Sun and Moon Data for a day | |||
| Space Exploration | MarsRover | |||
| good nutrition | ||||
*"Including" references non-negotiable components; "such as" references examples.
