Our third grade class will be using an exciting science program called Science 21, which is
activity-based and NOT textbook-based. Research has shown that true science learning does not
come from memorizing facts from a science textbook. Rather, good science is learned through
active participation, engaging students in inquiry-based, hands-on experiences. Through Science
21 your child will be actively engaged in science activities, learning how scientists as
questions and design experiments to find the answers. Like scientists, your child will be
working cooperatively recording results, and sharing them with the rest of the class.
Cycles In the Natural World
The Grade 3 curriculum is the Science 21 Program developed at the Putnam/Northern Westchester
BOCES. The Program was put together by area elementary teachers to provide direction and vision
of elementary science education for local school districts. The program’s main focus is a hands-
on, inquiry-based science, and that math, language arts and technology are integrated at points
where they fit naturally.
Content and Core Lesson is divided into four units:
Unit 1: How a Scientist Investigates Plant Cycles
• What a scientist does
• How a scientist (student) keeps an account of their work
• Investigate how a seed becomes a plant
• Parts and functions of a plant
Unit 2: How a Scientist Investigates Electricity
• Introduction to electricity
• How switches control the flow of electricity
• Conductors and non-conductors
• Series and parallel circuits
• Creating a circuit board
Unit 3: How a Scientist Investigates Water Cycles
• Sources and types of water
• States of water
• Water cycle
• Weather and the water cycle
• Conservation of water
Unit 4: How a Scientist Investigates Animal Cycles
• Study and observe the butterfly
Third Grade: websites
Plants
• http://library.thinkquest.org/3608/index.html
Information site with extensive vocabulary list. Use for research. Goes through plant
growth including reproduction.
Electricity
• http://www.andythelwell.com/blobz/
Kid friendly and easy to use, gives written information about circuits,
switches conductors etc. Includes a quiz on what they have learned. A 5 star site!
• How a light bulb works
http://home.howstuffworks.com/light-bulb1.htm
Good background/informational site
The water cycle
• http://www.epa.gov/safewater/kids/
This site is for kids and teachers on many different grade levels. There are games and
activities.
Painted lady butterfly
• http://www.zoomschool.com/subjects/butterfly/species/paintedlady.shtml