Adventures of the Agronauts - Meeting State and National Standards
The Adventures of the Agronauts curriculum connects the four science competency goals for NC third graders while incorporating skills in language arts, mathematics, arts education, information skills and technology, healthful living and social studies that third graders must also learn. The information below only shows the science competencies relevant to each mission, though content integration is a result of each mission's nature and activities. The curriculum is designed to increase student ability in understanding and performing scientific inquiry throughout the course of the Adventure.
Third Grade Science Competency Goals in NC:
• The learner will build an understanding of plant growth and adaptations.
• The learner will build an understanding of soil concepts.
• The learner will build an understanding of the earth/moon/sun system.
• The learner will build an understanding of light and heat concepts.
Mission 1: What's In Our Sky?
Mission 2: The Root of the Matter
Mission 3: Stayin' Alive (Part I)
Mission 4: Stayin' Alive (Part II)
Mission 5: Living Things in Space
Mission 6: Making the Plant Growth Chamber
Mission 1: What's In Our Sky?
NC Standard Course of Study (Science)
3.02 Observe that objects in the sky have patterns of movements including:
3.03 Using shadows, follow and record the apparent movement of the sun in the sky during the day.
3.04 Use appropriate tools to make observations of the moon.
3.05 Observe and record the change in the apparent shape of the moon from day to day over several months and describe the pattern of changes.
3.06 Observe that patterns of stars in the sky stay the same, although they appear to move across the sky nightly.
National Standards
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of properties of objects and materials
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of position and motion of objects
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of properties of earth materials
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of objects in the sky
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of changes in earth and sky
Mission 2: The Root of the Matter
NC Standard Course of Study (Science)
1.01 Observe and measure how the quantities and qualities of nutrients, light, and water in the environment affect plant growth.
1.02 Observe and describe how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive and grow in a particular environment.
1.03 Investigate and describe how plants pass through distinct stages in their life cycle including:
1.04 Explain why the number of seeds a plant produces depends on variables such as light, water, nutrients, and pollination.
1.05 Observe and discuss how bees pollinate flowers.
1.06 Observe, describe and record properties of germinating seeds.
National Standards
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of properties of objects and materials
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of the characteristics of organisms
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of life cycles of organisms
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of organisms and environments
Mission 3: Stayin' Alive (Part I)
NC Standard Course of Study (Science)
2.01 Observe and describe the properties of soil:
2.03 Determine the ability of soil to support the growth of many plants, including those important to our food supply.
2.04 Identify the basic components of soil:
2.06 Determine the relationship between heat and decaying plant matter in a compost pile.
National Standards
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of properties of objects and materials.
Mission 4: Stayin' Alive (Part II)
NC Standard Course of Study (Science)
3.01 Observe that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object and is reflected and/or absorbed.
National Standards
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of properties of objects and materials
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of light, heat, electricity, and magnetism
Mission 5: Living Things in Space
NC Standard Course of Study (Science)
4.01 Identify the skeleton as a system of the human body.
4.02 Describe several functions of bones:
4.04 Describe how different kinds of joints allow movement and compare this to the movement of mechanical devices.
4.05 Observe and describe how muscles cause the body to move.
National Standards
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of organisms and environments
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of types of resources
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of changes in environments
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of science and technology in local challenges
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of science as a human endeavor
Mission 6: Making the Plant Growth Chamber
NC Standard Course of Study (Science)
• All previous lessons will apply.
National Standards
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop abilities of technological design
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding about science and technology
• As a result of all activities in grades K-4, all students should develop abilities to distinguish between natural objects and objects made by humans
References:
North Carolina Standard Course of Study, http://www.ncpublicschools.org/curriculum/
National Research Council (1996). National Science Education Standards. Washington, DC: National Academy of Sciences Press.