Science

Fifth graders are into their second science standard, energy for humans and other living things!

• 5-LS2-1 - Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
• 5-LS2-1.2.1 - Develop a model to describe phenomena.
• 5-LS2-1.4.1 - A system can be described in terms of its components and their interactions.
• 5-LS2-1.LS2.A.1 - The food of almost any kind of animal can be traced back to plants. Organisms are related in food webs in which some animals eat plants for food and other animals eat the animals that eat plants. Some organisms, such as fungi and bacteria, break down dead organisms (both plants or plants parts and animals) and therefore operate as "decomposers." Decomposition eventually restores (recycles) some materials back to the soil. Organisms can survive only in environments in which their particular needs are met. A healthy ecosystem is one in which multiple species of different types are each able to meet their needs in a relatively stable web of life. Newly introduced species can damage the balance of an ecosystem.
• 5-LS2-1.LS2.B.1 - Matter cycles between the air and soil and among plants, animals, and microbes as these organisms live and die. Organisms obtain gases, and water, from the environment, and release waste matter (gas, liquid, or solid) back into the environment.

 Our overarching question for this unit is, 

• How and why do organisms interact with their environment and what are the effects of these interactions?

We have spent time learning and building food chains and food webs to understand how energy is passed from organism to organism.  This week we are delving into photosynthesis and learning more about this fascination process.  There are new terms that we are tackling!

HOMEWORK ASSIGNED ON TUESDAY 

VIA GOOGLE CLASSROOM 

(access through your google sign in)

DEFINITIONS/TERMS TO KNOW:

basic needs--all living things need the following:

     food

     water

     oxygen

     proper climate

     protection

     shelter

     reproduction

Roots--they absorb water from the soil and carry it to the rest of the plant; also carry nutrients from soil to plant (osmosis)

Stem (Vessels)--water and nutrients move up and down through tubes called vessels; smaller vessels connect stem to leaves; this system helps feed and water all parts of the plant

Leaves--the air plants need moves directly into leaves through tiny openings called stomata; leaves biggest role is to collect sunlight; tubes in leaves that help carry water to the stem are called xylem

Photosynthesis--a process used by plants to convert light energy into chemical energy that can later be released to feed the plant

Chloroplast--food producers of the cell; convert light energy of the sun into sugars which can be used by cells; they take in carbon dioxide, sunlight, and water while giving off oxygen