Units	The Study of Nature	Weather and Natural Phenomena	Exploring Space	The Human Body
Essential Questions	What are our closest “neighbors”?	Is weather here affected by phenomena occurring around the world?	What happens out in space?	How do the systems of the human body stay healthy?
Content (Topics, unit titles)	This unit will help students gain knowledge about our neighbors in nature. They will explore creatures that they are most likely to come in contact with in their backyard, community, or anywhere in the world and will obtain an understanding of the need for these natural inhabitants of our environment.	This unit will help students understand the effects of weather locally and globally. They will gain exposure to vocabulary associated with the weather and gain a working knowledge of how weather affects daily lives.	This unit will allow students to explore the world outside our atmosphere. They will identify the various planets, moons, and other items that exist in space. They will also explore the space station being built jointly by the United Stated and Russia.	This unit will help students better understand their body and how it works. They will gain insight into the various systems and their functions and will explore ways to eat and stay healthy.
Skills (verbs)	Students will gather information about the inhabitants of their backyard, their community, nation, and the world. They will discover the life forms in nature and do research on ones that interest them. They will prepare a formal presentation, showing the life cycle, habitat, interesting facts about the creature chosen, reproduction, and the helpful and harmful effects on people.	Students will identify vocabulary associated with weather. They will observe various phenomena occurring in nature and draw conclusions about the outcomes of specific weather patterns. They will collect and organize data, make inferences, and draw conclusions from data gathered.	Students will identify the various planets and other natural phenomena in space. They will explore the facts of each planet and gain a deeper understanding of the uniqueness of each one. They will research the space station being built and will have a greater knowledge of it’s design and purpose. They will also explore the various career possibilities for both men and women in this fascinating field.	Students will identify the vocabulary associated with the human body and the various systems. They will explore human reproduction. They will examine healthy eating and the food pyramid. They will design a healthy diet using the recommendations of the food pyramid. They will determine the differences between dietary needs for males and for females. They will explore diets and eating habits of people of various cultures and compare the diets. They will research the importance of personal hygiene and report the steps necessary to maintain a healthy body. They will explore smoking and the effects on the human body. They will explore the need for physical activity to maintain a healthy body. They will examine the differing needs between men and women.
Standards/Benchmarks aligned to content/skills	Standard 1—Science as Inquiry Benchmarks: 1.1 Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. 1.2  Design and conduct a scientific investigation. 1.3 Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze and interpret data. 1.5 Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations. Standard 3—Students will understand and apply life science concepts. Benchmarks: 3.7 All organisms must be able to obtain energy, grow, reproduce, respond, develop, and adapt. 3.8 Classification is based on an organism’s attributes.	Standard 1—Science as Inquiry Benchmarks: 1.4 Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. 1.5  Design and conduct a scientific investigation. 1.6 Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze and interpret data. 1.5 Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations.	Standard 1—Science as Inquiry Benchmarks: 1.7 Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. 1.8  Design and conduct a scientific investigation. 1.9 Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze and interpret data. 1.5 Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations. Standard 4—Students will understand and apply earth and space science concepts. Benchmarks: 4.6 Most objects in the solar system are in a regular and predictable motion. 4.7 Gravity is the force that keeps planets in orbit around the sun.	Standard 1—Science as Inquiry Benchmarks: 1.10 Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations. 1.11  Design and conduct a scientific investigation. 1.12 Use appropriate tools and techniques to gather, analyze and interpret data. 1.5 Think critically and logically to make the relationships between evidence and explanations. Standard 3—Students will understand and apply life science concepts. Benchmarks: 3.7 All organisms must be able to obtain energy, grow, reproduce, respond, develop, and adapt. Standard 6—Students will understand and apply concepts of science in personal and social perspectives. Benchmarks: 6.1 Regular exercise is important to the maintenance and improvement of health. 6.2 Food provides energy and nutrients for growth and development. 6.3 Different substances can damage the body and how it functions.
Activities	Daily assignments Computer research Posters Video clips Field research Nature Field trip	Daily assignments Computer research Posters Video clips Field research Science Center fieldtrip	Daily assignments Computer research Posters Video clips Field research Science Center fieldtrip	Daily assignments Computer research Posters Video clips Field research Guest speaker Hospital tour
Assessments	Quizzes Pre/Post tests Project with Rubric criteria	Quizzes Pre/Post tests Project with Rubric criteria	Quizzes Pre/Post tests Project with Rubric criteria	Quizzes Pre/Post tests Project with Rubric criteria
Resources	Remedia Basic Skills Science curriculum United Streaming video Internet research	On The Mark Press Earth Science Curriculum Remedia Basic Skills Science Curriculum United Streaming video Internet research	On The Mark Press Earth Science Curriculum Remedia Basic Skills Science Curriculum United Streaming video Internet research	Remedia Basic Skills Science Curriculum United Streaming video Internet research
Incorporation: (circle)	TI GE      HOTS	TI GE      HOTS	MCFG          TI GE      HOTS	MCFG   TI GE      HOTS