12/6 We are beginning our study of the parts of a flower.
Sepal – green, leaf-like part; surrounds the bottom of the flower and
protects the ovary
Pollen – yellow, sticky powder; grains of pollen fertilize (make) the seeds.
Petal – part of flower that attracts insects with color or odor.
Pistil – female part of the flower
Stigma – female part that receives the pollen
Style – tube where pollen travels to the ovary
Ovary – pouch where seeds are made
Stamen – male part of the flower
Anther – small sac on top of filament; it makes pollen
Filament – skinny tube; holds up the anther
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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
For additional information on the Science 21 Program, please go to the
following website:
http://www.pnwboces.org/cesar/sci21