3-5: Science and Social Studies Units

Introduction:

The 3-5 units use the concrete topic of rare breeds as a window to understanding core scientific and social studies concepts. We have focused each unit on a specific, global national Science or Social Studies standard. Depending on teacher preferences and available time, activities from other grade levels might appeal and many Supplemental Activities are available to extend the unit.

The third grade unit bridges the K-2 unit and the upper elementary units with a focus on interdependence of plants and animals. The fourth grade Unit teaches adaptation (though this is also taught at grade five in some states), and the fifth grade unit centers on immigration, specifically the role of farm animals in the founding of the nation. This unit can also be used in fourth grade as an on-line research project about your specific state by focusing on animals imported and historically used there, or broaden to become an international survey of rare breeds.

Each unit features a field trip as a central event to bring home the concept. The field trip is not required, just effective. The field trip is "book-ended" by the activities. These pre and post activities help bring the field trip home. Through the slideshow and unit activities students learn of the incredible diversity and variety that exists in farm animals.

The Units are adjustable. There are enough activities for the teacher to either create an intensive one-week multidisciplinary unit, or an expansive multiple week immersion in the history and science of rare breed farm animals.

The 5 E format

This describes the 5E structure and helps you understand how to put it to work in your classroom.

Noah®s Ark Today uses the 5E format (Engage, Explore, Explain, Expand, Evaluate) designed by Roger Bybee.

National Standards

These units address National Social Studies standards and the National Science Standards for Kindergarten through Fourth grade for life science:

Grade Three What is a domestic animal? How do they interact with each other and with people? Why are some domestic breeds rare?

National Science Education Standards Objectives:

• The characteristics of organisms • Communities • Interdependence • Food chain

Grade Four How do they live/function; what makes them unique? Why are rare breeds important?

National Science Education Standards Objectives:

• Structure and Function in Living Systems; useful characteristics • Diversity and Adaptations of organisms; genetic diversity and human selection • Regulation and behavior • Form and Function • Biodiversity

Grade Five Where do they live and raise their offspring? How and when did they get here?

Social Studies: Farm Animals as Immigrants National Geography and Social Studies Education Standards Objectives:

• Technology • Geographic distribution of heritage breeds • Immigration and Settlement: Colonial Times, Westward Expansion and the Agrarian Economy • Your state or the United States