Science 5

Saskatchewan Curriculum - Grade 5

* The new Saskatchewan Science Curriculum is currently in Draft Mode and will be posted once it is ready. The draft copy can be found here.

Unit: Heat

• Describe the nature of heat.

• Investigate the effects of heat energy on matter.
• Explain the kinetic molecular theory.
• Measure the temperature of various substances.
• Recognize some sources of heat energy.

• Describe the transfer of heat energy

• Contrast conduction, convection, and radiation of heat energy.
• Identify methods of heat conservation in buildings.

Unit: Matter and Its Changes

• Describe the particle theory of matter.
  

• Describe the atom as a basic unit of matter.
• Explain the relationship between atoms and elements.
• Distinguish between atoms and molecules.
• Describe how molecules form.
• Explain the relationship between molecules and compounds.

• Investigate and describe the physical and chemical properties of matter.
  
• Distinguish between physical properties and chemical properties of substances.
• Identify some physical properties of objects.
• Identify some chemical properties of objects.
• Measure the mass and the weight of some objects.
• Compare solutions with other mixtures.
• Observe and describe some physical changes.
• Observe and describe some chemical changes.

Unit: Plant Structure and Function

• Describe the characteristics of vascular plants.
  
• Identify the roots, stems, leaves and flowers of plants.
• Observe and describe fibrous root systems and tap root systems.
• Use leaves and seeds to identify plant species.
• Explain some of the functions of the roots, stems, leaves, and flowers of plants.
  
• Observe and describe the movement of water through a stem of a vascular plant.
• Compare and contrast the processes of photosynthesis and respiration.
• Describe the process of pollination and seed production.
• Observe and describe plant adaptations.
• Experiment with the variables which influence seed germination.
• Describe agriculture in Saskatchewan as it relates to field and forage crops.
  
• Identify some field crops and their products.
• Recognize the importance of plants in the prevention of soil erosion.

Unit: Resources

• Describe Saskatchewan's natural resources.
  
• List examples of natural resources found in Saskatchewan.
• Classify the natural resources of Saskatchewan as renewable or nonrenewable.
• Distinguish between resources used to produce energy and those used to produce goods.
• Recognize the global concern for air, soil, and water.
• Describe human impact on the environment.
  
• Describe the water cycle.
• Identify water pollutants and their sources.
• Recognize the importance of proper waste disposal.
• Examine the technology of waste water treatment.
• Describe air as a mixture of gases, vapours, and solid particles.
• Identify common air pollutants and their sources.
• Explain how soil can become polluted.
• Describe some of the causes of soil erosion and soil degradation.
• Identify methods of preventing soil loss.
• Discuss the relationship between agriculture and soil, air, and water quality.

Optional Unit: Communities and Ecosystems

• Understand the concept of the ecosystem.
  
• Describe the habitat of a number of populations.
• Identify and describe the niches of the populations comprising a community.
• Discuss the factors which limit the population of a species.
• Investigate and describe the ecosystem of the local community.
  
• Identify and describe the animal, plant, fungi, algae, and protist populations in the local community.
• Describe the niche of members of those populations.
• Trace the changes in the local ecosystem.

Optional Unit: Human Circulation and Breathing

• Describe the functioning of the circulatory system.
  
• Identify the four chambers of the heart and the role of each chamber.
• Describe the functions of the arteries, the capillaries, and the veins.
• Observe and describe blood.
• Explain the function of blood plasma and blood solids.
• Discuss the difference in blood pressure in the arteries and the veins.
• Describe some conditions which impair the efficiency of the circulatory system.
• Describe some surgical process for repairing arteries.
• Investigate the design of artificial hearts.
• Describe the functioning of the respiratory system.
• Identify the components of the respiratory system.
• Describe the function of the diaphragm.
• Describe the components of the lungs and windpipes.
• Describe how the air is cleaned before it gets to the lungs.
• Describe the process of inhalation and exhalation.
• Describe some conditions which impair the efficiency of the respiratory system.
• Investigate the technology of lung transplants.
• Consider the interaction between the two systems.
  
• Discuss the diffusion of gases.
• Describe the diffusion of gases from the lungs to the capillaries and from the capillaries to the lungs. 

Optional Unit: Machines and Work

• Explain the principles of simple machines.
  
• Demonstrate how the three classes of levers work.
• Demonstrate how to use pulleys to lift a mass.
• Compare force required to lift objects directly and with simple machines.
• Identify some common applications of simple machines.
• Distinguish between simple and compound machines.
• work done in moving objects.
  
• Use a spring scale to measure force.
• Define work.
• Calculate the work done on an object.

 Optional Unit: Oceans

• Describe the physical characteristics of the ocean.
  
• Compare the contents of ocean water and fresh water.
• Investigate the formation of waves.
• Describe how tides form.
• Consider the topography of the ocean floor.
• Describe how the ocean influences climate.
• Describe the diversity of life in the ocean.
  
• Outline some marine food webs.
• Investigate the effect of pollutants on life in the ocean.

General Resources