Biology Program Goals and Objectives
Grade Level 3

About the Biology Program
All students will participate in the Barrier Island Ecology Course at the same time. Small groups of approximately twelve students together with a Sound to Sea instructor each start in a different habitat area and begin a rotation. This component introduces students to the five habitats (beach/ocean, maritime forest, freshwater pond, salt marsh, and sound/estuary), geological history, basic ecological concepts and general habitat study skills that are reinforced throughout the entire program. Sound to Sea instructors encourage exploration and present various ecological concepts (such as habitats, cycles, communities, populations, species, food webs, decomposition, etc.) as students discover concrete evidence that relates to that concept. As the groups explore each habitat, students observe the differences and make comparisons. The Habitat Study skills include: observation, measurement, data collection, and analysis and assessment of habitat conditions with respect to soil, air, water, wind, temperature, and human impact; and observation, identification, classification, mapping and representative sampling of species present within the habitat.

Main Curriculum Area: Science
Other Curriculum Area: Social Studies
Grade Level: 3

Primary Goals and Objectives:
These objectives will be covered during all Biology Program classes. Some objectives are more specific to one habitat than another, so if your schedule does not allow you to take all offered classes, or if there are particular objectives that you want to make sure we cover, please let us know what your specific needs are.

Science Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will conduct investigations and build an understanding of plant growth and adaptations.

Objectives
1.01 Observe and measure how the quantities and qualities of nutrients, light, and water in the environment affect plant growth.

1.02 Observe and describe how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive and grow in a particular environment.

1.03 Investigate and describe how plants pass through distinct stages in their life cycle including.

  • Growth.
  • Survival.
  • Reproduction.

Science Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will conduct investigations to build understanding of soil properties.

Objectives
2.01 Observe and describe the properties of soil:
  • Color.
  • Texture.
  • Capacity to hold water.

2.02 Investigate and observe that different soils absorb water at different rates.

2.03 Determine the ability of soil to support the growth of many plants, including those important to our food supply.

2.04 Identify the basic components of soil:

  • Sand.
  • Clay.
  • Humus.

2.05 Determine how composting can be used to recycle discarded plant and animal material.

2.06 Determine the relationship between heat and decaying plant matter in a compost pile.



Third Grade Citizenship: People Making a Difference
Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 1		 The learner will characterize qualities of good citizenship by identifying people who made a difference in the community and other social environments.

Objectives
1.01 Identify and demonstrate characteristics of responsible citizenship and explain how citizen participation can impact changes within a community.

1.04 Explain the need for leaders in communities and describe their roles and responsibilities.

1.05 Suggest responsible courses of action in given situations and assess the consequences of irresponsible behavior.


Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will explain geographic concepts and the relationship between people and geography in real life situations.

Objectives
4.02 Use appropriate source maps to locate communities.

4.04 Compare how people in different communities adapt to or modify the physical environment to meet their needs.


Social Studies Skill Competency
Goal 6		 The learner will recognize how technology is used at home, school, and in the community.

Objectives
6.03 Identify the impact of technological change on communities around the world.
Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 2		 The learner will acquire strategies to access a variety of sources, and use appropriate research skills to gather, synthesize, and report information using diverse modalities to demonstrate the knowledge acquired.

Objectives
2.04 Utilize community-related resources such as field trips, guest speakers, and interviews.


Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 3		 The learner will acquire strategies to analyze, interpret, create, and use resources and materials.

Objectives
3.01 Use map and globe reading skills.

Social Studies
K-12 Skill Competency
Goal 4		 The learner will acquire strategies needed for applying decision-making and problem-solving techniques both orally and in writing to historic, contemporary, and controversial world issues.

Objectives
4.01 Use hypothetical reasoning processes.

4.02 Examine, understand, and evaluate conflicting viewpoints.

4.04 Apply conflict resolutions.

4.05 Predict possible outcomes.

4.06 Draw conclusions.

4.08 Develop hypotheses.