PHYSICAL SCIENCE: PROPERTIES AND CHANGES IN MATTER
3.P.2A.1
Physical Property of Matter
Video, images, reading material, and lesson plan
Compare and contrast the basic properties of solids, liquids, and gases, such as mass, volume, color, texture, and temperature.
Measuring Matter: Matter’s Physical Properties
Video
Watch this video to find out more about how physical properties uniquely define different types of matter. As you watch the segment, pay special attention to which properties depend on the amount of matter.
Scale of the Universe
Interactive
This interactive tool allows student to explore the relative sizes of objects in the universe, ranging from the observable universe itself down to the Plank Length, with the Minecraft World and skin cells in between. By clicking on an object, students can read a short blurb describing the object in kid-friendly language. Students can also see the size of the object reported in meters as well as the metric units typically used at that scale range.
3.P.2A.2
Solids, Liquids, and Gases
Videos, images, reading material, and lesson plan
State, describe and identify the properties of matter in the different states. Also, explain the relationship between energy and states of matter.
3.P.2A.3
States of Matter and Changes of State – Science for Kids
Video
A YouTube video reviewing the states of matter and introducing vocabulary for the processes that change a material from state to another. Introduces the concept of atoms (but not the term) by visualizing that all matter is made up of “particles”.
3.P.2A.4
3.P.2A.5
Too Hot to Handle
Interactive simulation
Design a handle for Hot Stuff’s new skillet.
Physical Science: Energy Transfer—Electricity and Magnetism
3.P.3A.1
Van de Graaff Generator Demonstrations
Video
Several Van de Graaff demonstrations including lighting bulbs, creating lightning and noise.
3.P.3A.2
Circuits: NASA Online
Interactive
Interactive model and description of how simple circuits work (series and parallel).
PhET Circuit Construction Kit
Interactive simulation
DC Interactive Simulation: Build a simple circuit using wires, light bulb, and a battery.
Electric Circuits
Video, activity guide, and lesson plan
In this lesson, students begin to develop an understanding of electrical current. First, they act out an electric circuit. Then they use critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning to create their own electric circuits using a few simple materials. Next, students watch video segments of the ZOOM cast members using electric circuits to make a door alarm and a steadiness tester. Finally, students test the conductivity of a variety of materials.
3.P.3A.3
Electric Circuits
Videos, activity guide, and lesson plan
In this lesson, students begin to develop an understanding of electrical current. First, they act out an electric circuit. Then they use critical thinking skills and deductive reasoning to create their own electric circuits using a few simple materials. Next, students watch video segments of the ZOOM cast members using electric circuits to make a door alarm and a steadiness tester. Finally, students test the conductivity of a variety of materials.
3.P.3B.1
Creating an Electromagnet
Images, activity guides, assessments, and lesson plan
Student teams investigate the properties of electromagnets. They create their own small electromagnets and experiment with ways to change their strength to pick up more paperclips. Students learn about ways that engineers use electromagnets in everyday applications.
Creating an Electromagnet
Images, activity guides, assessments, and lesson plan
Student teams investigate the properties of electromagnets. They create their own small electromagnets and experiment with ways to change their strength to pick up more paperclips. Students learn about ways that engineers use electromagnets in everyday applications.
3.P.3B.2
Electromagnet
Video, images, reading material, and focus questions
An electromagnet is a wire wrapped around a bar of iron. Electromagnets can be turned on or off and their strength can be changed by controlling the electric current.
Earth Science: Earth's Materials and Processes
3.E.4A.1
Lithosphere, Hydrosphere, & Atmosphere
Slideshow and quiz
The lithosphere is all of the rock on earth, and the hydrosphere is all of the water on earth. The last one is atmosphere: the layers of gas surrounding the earth.
Soil
Slideshow and quiz
Soil is a layer of rock and decayed plant and animal matter that is layered above bedrock. It also contains water, air, and bacteria. In fact, soil is packed with everything plants need to grow.
Minerals
Slideshow and quiz
Minerals are either elements or compounds with a crystalline structure that make up rocks or are dissolved in water. They have many properties, including streak, color, luster, hardness, and structure.
Igneous Rocks
Slideshow, song, and quiz
Igneous rock forms from melted rock (magma). Magma exists inside the earth’s surface, and it becomes lava when it is released through a volcanic eruption. When it cools, that is when it becomes igneous rock.
Metamorphic Rocks
Slideshow, song, and quiz
Metamorphic rocks can be formed from igneous, sedimentary, and even other metamorphic rocks.
Sedimentary Rocks
Slideshow, song, and quiz
Sedimentary rock is naturally formed in the Earth’s crust. It is formed when sediment deposits form layers, compact, and then cement together, creating a new rock. Sedimentary rocks are used for building materials, and sometimes they even contain fossils.
3.E.4A.2
Landforms
Slideshow, song, and quiz
Landforms are natural land shapes, such as mountains, hills, valleys, plains, canyons, and deltas. Some landforms are caused by extreme events like earthquakes, while others are formed over many years by weathering and erosion.
Identifying Landforms and Bodies of Water on a Map
Images, activity guides, student handouts, and lesson plan
The purpose of this lesson is to expose elementary level students to the practice of “developing and using models” as students explore and identify landforms and bodies of water on a map of the world.
Creating Models of Landforms and Water
Images, activity guides, student handouts, and lesson plan
The purpose of this lesson is to provide students with experience creating models of landforms and bodies of water.
3.E.4A.3
Fidgit Power!
Interactive
Help Fidgitville by designing wind turbines that make electricity and keep the air and water clean.
Feed the Fidgits!
Interactive
Design ways to deliver emergency supplies to the Fidgits after a natural disaster.
Fidgits to the Rescue!
Interactive
Design a farm that uses fish, pipes, and water to grow food for the Fidgits.
Don’t Flood the Fidgits!
Interactive
Build a city for the Fidgits that will stay safe and dry during a flood.
3.E.4B.1
Ruff Ruffman’s Ring of Fire Travel Guide
Interactive, background reading, teaching tips, and discussion questions
Learn about volcanoes in the Ring of Fire and their relationship to earthquakes and mountain ranges with this game featuring PBS KIDS character Ruff Ruffman. Students help Ruff verify information about volcanoes that he has gathered for his grandmother’s vacation. The game includes visual and text-based reference materials that allow students to activate prior knowledge and build understanding about the relationships between volcanoes, earthquakes, and mountain range locations.
3.E.4B.2
Simple Weathering & Erosion Experiments for Third Grade
Demonstrations and lesson plan
Describes simple teacher demonstrations that can be used to visualize the processes of acid rain, solar weathering, temperature-effect weathering, and erosion.
The Earth is a Changin’
Video, images, activity guide, student handouts, and lesson plan
Students are introduced to the primary types of erosion—by chemical, water, wind, glacier and temperature. Students use the associated activities to investigate examples of each erosion type and discuss how erosion changes the surface of the Earth. Students also learn why engineers need to be aware of the different types of erosion in order to protect structures and landmarks from the damaging effects erosion can cause.
Glaciers, Water, and Wind, Oh My!
Images, activity guide, student handouts, math activity, and lesson plan
Through this hands-on activity, students explore five different forms of erosion: chemical, water, wind, glacier and temperature. They rotate through stations and model each type of erosion on rocks, soils and minerals. They record their observations and discuss the effects of erosion on the Earth's landscape. Students learn about how engineers are involved in the protection of landscapes and structures from erosion. Math problems are included to help students think about the effects of erosion in real-world scenarios.
3.E.4B.3
NASA Images of Change
Interactive
Students can drag a divider to see before and after photos of environmental changes such as floods, drought, glacier melting, fires, deforestation, etc. Students can describe the changes they see and whether the change was caused by natural or human processes.
All About Landslides: Land on the Run
Interactive, video, images, PowerPoint, and lesson plans
Students learn about landslides, discovering that there are different types of landslides that occur at different speeds — from very slow to very quick. All landslides are the result of gravity, friction and the materials involved. Both natural and human-made factors contribute to landslides. The interactions and different severity of these variables are demonstrated in the associated activity where students learn how scientists are studying landslides and current efforts to prevent them.
3.E.4B.4
All About Landslides: Land on the Run
Interactive, video, images, PowerPoint, and lesson plans
Students learn about landslides, discovering that there are different types of landslides that occur at different speeds — from very slow to very quick. All landslides are the result of gravity, friction and the materials involved. Both natural and human-made factors contribute to landslides. The interactions and different severity of these variables are demonstrated in the associated activity where students learn how scientists are studying landslides and current efforts to prevent them.
Life Science: Environments and Habitats
3.L.5A.1
Daily Do: How Does Our Neighborhood Provide for Its Wildlife?
Video, images, and activity
A sensemaking activity from the National Science Teaching Association that has students explore what resources organisms need within an ecosystem and how different ecosystems meet those needs.
3.L.5A.2
Fruit and Vegetable Decomposition, Time lapse
Video
1 ½ minute video clip of 74 days, 1 picture every 40 minutes, played back at 30 frames per second showing decomposition of fruits and vegetables and growth of a potato plant.
BBC Food Chain Challenge – Woodland
Interactive
Game that allows students to build food chains by selecting producers and consumers from a woodland habitat to complete 6 levels, or students can explore over 50 possible chains in free-play mode.
BBC Food Chain Challenge – Savannah
Interactive
Game that allows students to build food chains by selecting producers and consumers from a savannah habitat to complete 6 levels, or students can explore over 50 possible chains in free-play mode.
BBC Food Chain Challenge – Tundra
Interactive
Game that allows students to build food chains by selecting producers and consumers from a tundra habitat to complete 6 levels, or students can explore over 50 possible chains in free-play mode.
Platte Basin - Build Food Chains & Food Webs
Interactive
In this activity, students will complete food chains, identify producers and consumers, and compare food webs for the organisms that live in a prairie ecosystem.
3.L.5B.1
Animal Training
Video and teaching tips
Zookeepers must keep animals safe and healthy. Sea lions and giraffes are trained so that zookeepers can provide them with medical care and opportunities to entertain zoo visitors.
3.L.5B.2
Migrating Monarchs
Video and student materials
Learn about the way that Monarch butterflies prepare to cross big bodies of water during their journey south for the winter.
Nature Cat: Goodnight
Video and student materials
Squeeks’ play date with her pal Gracie the toad has to be cut short because it’s time for Gracie to hibernate for the winter.
Animal Migration: Move it!
Video and student materials
Animal migrations don’t just happen in the spring and aren’t just something birds do. Lots of different animals migrate and for good reasons. Why? What is it that drives animals to move from one part of the country to another and then back again?
You at the Zoo: Plant Adaptations
Video
In this video, students learn about plant structures and how certain adaptations help plants survive. After learning about plant defense mechanisms, students join the You at the Zoo student team to make predictions about what might happen when you touch a sensitive plant with a feather or a finger.