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  • Connecticut Standards
  • Science: 3rd Grade

Connecticut - Science: 3rd Grade

Grade Level Concepts | Adopted: 2010

This correlation lists the recommended Gizmos for this state's curriculum standards. Click any Gizmo title below for more information.

3.1: : Materials have properties that can be identified and described through the use of simple tests.


3.1.a: : Heating and cooling cause changes in some of the properties of materials.

3.1.a.1: : Materials have properties that are directly observable; examples include its state of matter, or its size, shape, color or texture. Other properties can only be observed by doing something to the material (simple tests). Materials can be sorted and classified based on their testable properties.

Screenshot of Phases of Water

Phases of Water

Heat or cool a container of water and observe the phase changes that take place. Use a magnifying glass to observe water molecules as a solid, liquid, or gas. Compare the volumes of the three phases of water. 5 Minute Preview


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3.1.a.3: : Some materials, such as sponges, papers and fabrics, absorb water better than others.

Screenshot of Color Absorption

Color Absorption

Mix the primary colors of light by using red, green, and blue lights. Use pieces of colored glass to filter the light and create a wide variety of colors. Determine how light is absorbed and transmitted by each color of glass. 5 Minute Preview


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Screenshot of Heat Absorption

Heat Absorption

Shine a powerful flashlight on a variety of materials, and measure how quickly each material heats up. See how the light angle, light color, type of material, and material color affect heating. A glass cover can be added to simulate a greenhouse. 5 Minute Preview


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3.1.a.4: : Some materials float when placed in water (or other liquids such as cooking oil or maple syrup); others sink to the bottom of the container.

Screenshot of Density

Density

Measure the mass and volume of a variety of objects, then place them into a beaker of liquid to see if they float or sink. Learn to predict whether objects will float or sink in water based on their mass and volume. Compare how objects float or sink in a variety of liquids, including gasoline, oil, seawater, and corn syrup. 5 Minute Preview


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3.1.a.5: : Some materials conduct heat better than others. Materials that are poor heat conductors are useful for keeping things cold or hot.

Screenshot of Conduction and Convection

Conduction and Convection

Two flasks hold colored water, one yellow and the other blue. Set the starting temperature of each flask, choose a type of material to connect the flasks, and see how quickly the flasks heat up or cool down. The flasks can be connected with a hollow pipe, allowing the water in the flasks to mix, or a solid chunk that transfers heat but prevents mixing. 5 Minute Preview


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3.1.a.8: : Heating and cooling cause materials to change from one state of matter to another and back again. Adding heat can cause solids to melt into liquids (for example, chocolate, ice cream, butter or wax); removing heat (cooling) can cause liquids to harden into solids (for example, hot candle wax hardens as it cools).

Screenshot of Phases of Water

Phases of Water

Heat or cool a container of water and observe the phase changes that take place. Use a magnifying glass to observe water molecules as a solid, liquid, or gas. Compare the volumes of the three phases of water. 5 Minute Preview


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3.1.a.9: : Adding heat can cause water to boil and evaporate into a gas in the air (for example, steam rises from heated water); removing heat (cooling) can cause water vapor to condense into liquid water (for example, warm steam hitting a cold mirror). Water outdoors or in an open container evaporates without boiling (for example, puddles, ponds, fish tanks, etc.)

Screenshot of Phases of Water

Phases of Water

Heat or cool a container of water and observe the phase changes that take place. Use a magnifying glass to observe water molecules as a solid, liquid, or gas. Compare the volumes of the three phases of water. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

3.1.a.10: : Water may exist as a solid, liquid or gas, depending on its temperature. If water is turned into ice and then the ice is allowed to melt, the amount of water is the same as it was before freezing.

Screenshot of Phases of Water

Phases of Water

Heat or cool a container of water and observe the phase changes that take place. Use a magnifying glass to observe water molecules as a solid, liquid, or gas. Compare the volumes of the three phases of water. 5 Minute Preview


Lesson Info
Launch Gizmo

3.2: : Organisms can survive and reproduce only in environments that meet their basic needs.


3.2.a: : Plants and animals have structures and behaviors that help them survive in different environments.

3.2.a.6: : Plants have adaptations for protection from predators. Examples include spines, thorns and toxins (for example, poison ivy).

Screenshot of Prairie Ecosystem

Prairie Ecosystem

Observe the populations of grass, prairie dogs, ferrets and foxes in a prairie ecosystem. Investigate feeding relationships and determine the food chain. Bar graphs and line graphs show changes in populations over time. 5 Minute Preview


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3.3: : Earth materials have different physical and chemical properties.


3.3.a: : Rocks and minerals have properties that may be identified through observation and testing; these properties determine how earth materials are used.

3.3.a.2: : Rocks can be sorted based on properties, such as shape, size, color, weight or texture.

Screenshot of Mineral Identification

Mineral Identification

Observe and measure the properties of a mineral sample, and then use a key to identify the mineral. Students can observe the color, luster, shape, density, hardness, streak, and reaction to acid for each mineral. There are 26 mineral samples to identify. 5 Minute Preview


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3.3.a.8: : All rocks are made of materials called minerals that have properties that may be identified by testing. Mineral properties include color, odor, streak, luster, hardness and magnetism.

Screenshot of Mineral Identification

Mineral Identification

Observe and measure the properties of a mineral sample, and then use a key to identify the mineral. Students can observe the color, luster, shape, density, hardness, streak, and reaction to acid for each mineral. There are 26 mineral samples to identify. 5 Minute Preview


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3.3.a.9: : Minerals are used in many ways, depending on their properties. For example, gold is a mineral that is easily shaped to make jewelry; talc is a mineral that breaks into tiny grains useful for making powders.

Screenshot of Mineral Identification

Mineral Identification

Observe and measure the properties of a mineral sample, and then use a key to identify the mineral. Students can observe the color, luster, shape, density, hardness, streak, and reaction to acid for each mineral. There are 26 mineral samples to identify. 5 Minute Preview


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Correlation last revised: 9/16/2020

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