Introduction to Hands-On Science and Technology for Ontario, Grade 3 1

• Introduction to Hands-On Science and Technology 2
• Program Introduction 2
• The Inquiry Approach to Science and Technology 2
• 21st Century Teaching and Learning 3
• The Goals of the Science and Technology Program 3
• Hands-On Science and Technology Strands and Expectations 4
• Hands-On Science and Technology Fundamental Concepts and Big Ideas 4
• Hands-On Science and Technology Program Principles 5
• Infusing Indigenous Perspectives 5
• Cultural Connections 7
• Land-Based Learning 7
• Technology 7
• Sustainability 7
• Program Implementation 8
• Program Resources 8
• Classroom Environment 11
• Planning Units—Timelines 12
• Classroom Management 12
• Classroom Safety 12
• Scientific Inquiry Skills: Guidelines for Teachers 12
• Observing 12
• Questioning 13
• Exploring 13
• Classifying 13
• Measuring 14
• Communicating, Analyzing, and Interpreting 14
• Predicting 15
• Inferring 15
• Inquiry Through Investigating and Experimenting 16
• Inquiry Through Research 16
• Online Considerations 17
• Addressing Students’ Early Literacy Needs 17
• Technological Problem Solving 17
• Makerspace 18

The Hands-On Science and Technology Assessment Plan 20

• Assessment for Learning 21
• Assessment as Learning 21
• Assessment of Learning 22
• Performance Assessment 23
• Portfolios 23
• Evidence of Student Achievement Levels for Evaluation 24
• Important Note to Teachers 24
• References 25
• Assessment Reproducibles 26
• Achievement Chart for Science & Technology 41

Unit 1: Growth and Changes in Plants 43

• Introduction 44
• Unit Overview 48
• Curriculum Correlation 49
• Resources for Students 51
• Websites 53
• 1 What Do We Know About Plants and Their Needs? 56
• 2 What Are the Parts of a Plant? 61
• 3 What Are Some Special Features of Plants? 65
• 4 How Do Plants Adapt in Order to Survive? 73
• 5 What Is the Life Cycle of a Plant? 78
• 6 What Parts of Plants Do We Eat? 84
• 7 What Are the Different Ways in Which Plants Are Grown for Food? 89
• 8 How Can We Investigate the Needs of Plants? 94
• 9 How Can We Design a Terrarium to Sustain Living Things? 100
• 10 In What Other Ways Are Plants Important to Humans? 105
• 11 How Can Dye Be Made From Plants? 109
• 12 How Do Plants and Animals Depend on Each Other? 114
• 13 How Do Plants Help Reduce Erosion? 118
• 14 How Can We Protect Plants? 122
• 15 Inquiry Project: What More Can I Learn About Plant Products? 126

Unit 2: Strong and Stable Structures 129

• Introduction 130
• Unit Overview 133
• Curriculum Correlation 134
• Resources for Students 135
• Websites and Online Videos 136
• 1 What Is a Structure? 138
• 2 Where Are Structures Found? 143
• 3 Which Materials Are Stronger Than Others? 147
• 4 What Are Joints? 154
• 5 How Can We Build Structures to Be Stronger and More Stable? 160
• 6 How Can We Build a Frame That Is Strong and Stable? 165
• 7 What Structures Has Nature Engineered? 170
• 8 How Are Structures Around the World Similar and Different? 176
• 9 What Are Some Careers in Design and Building? 181
• 10 What Other Structures Can We Build? 185
• 11 Inquiry Project: What More Can I Learn About Important Buildings and Structures? 192

Unit 3: Forces Causing Movement 195

• Introduction 196
• Unit Overview 199
• Curriculum Correlation 200
• Resources for Students 201
• Websites and Online Videos 203
• 1 What Is a Force? 206
• 2 How Is a Force a Push or a Pull? 210
• 3 What Is Friction? 214
• 4 Which Objects Do Magnets Attract? 217
• 5 How Is a Magnet Made? 222
• 6 How Can a Magnetic Force Be Altered? 226
• 7 How Is Earth Like a Giant Magnet? 232
• 8 What Are Helpful Uses and Harmful Effects of Magnets? 237
• 9 What Is Static Electricity, and How Is It Created? 240
• 10 How Does Humidity Affect Static Electricity? 244
• 11 How Can the Force of Static Electricity Be Demonstrated Safely? 248
• 12 How Does an Electroscope Work? 252
• 13 What Effect Does Gravity Have on Different Objects? 255
• 14 What Are Some Forces of Nature? 262
• 15 How Are Forces Used to Move Toys? 266
• 16 How Can Safety Devices Be Used to Reduce the Effects of Forces? 270
• 17 Inquiry Project: How Can I Design a Toy or Game That Uses Forces? 273

Unit 4: Soils in the Environment 277

• Introduction 278
• Unit Overview 281
• Curriculum Correlation 282
• Resources for Students 283
• Websites and Online Videos 285
• 1 What Do We Know About Soil? 287
• 2 What Are the Different Types of Soil? 291
• 3 How Can Soil Components Be Separated? 297
• 4 How Much Water Can Different Soil Types Absorb? 301
• 5 How Do Different Soils Affect the Growth of Plants? 306
• 6 What Lives in Soil? 312
• 7 How Does Rainfall Affect Soil? 316
• 8 How Can Organic Materials Be Recycled? 320
• 9 How Do Humans Use Earth Materials? 325
• 10 Inquiry Project: What More Can We Learn About Products Made From Earth Materials? 328
• References 333

Appendix: Image Banks 335
About the Contributors 353