Core Kits for Grades 3 & 4
Physical Science Kits
Abbreviations for Series:
FOSS = Full Option Science System, a series of units developed with NSF funding by Lawrence Hall of Science at University of California, Berkeley, and currently published by Delta Education.
GEMS = Great Explorations in Math and Science, a series of activity based teacher's guides and handbooks developed and published by Lawrence Hall of Science at University of California, Berkeley.
Physics of Sound of FOSS Physical
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 50k)
Assessment (PDF, 2MB, July 27, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students investigate sound as a product of a vibrating object. They explore the variables that determine sound pitch and amplification and compare how sound travels through air, water, and solids. They compare the many ways that animals produce sounds (sound source) and capture sound (sound receivers). Students observe how electricity in circuits can produce sound.
Magnetism and Electricity of FOSS Physical
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 55k)
Assessment (PDF, 3MB, July 31, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students explore permanent magnetism, electric circuits (series and parallel), and electromagnetism through free exploration and systematic investigations. They observe and compare electric and magnetic phenomena, and organize their observations on a graph. They apply their knowledge to design a telegraph.
Earth Science Kits
Water of FOSS Earth
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 50k)
Assessment (PDF, 3MB, July 31, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students investigate the properties of water in its three common states-solid, liquid, and gas. They observe and record what happens to water as it is heated, cooled, frozen, evaporated, condensed, and allowed to interact with soil and gravel. They explore components of the water cycle. Water supply, purification, treatment, and conservation are introduced. Students construct waterwheels to demonstrate that the power of falling water can be harnessed to do work.
Earth Materials of FOSS Earth
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 40k)
Assessment (PDF, 3MB, July 27, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students gain firsthand experience with 12 of the most important rocks and minerals on Earth, discovering that rocks are made of combinations of minerals. Students use properties of minerals and rocks (color, hardness, chemical reactions) to identify and organize earth materials and explore them as natural resources.
Life Science Kits
Structures of Life of FOSS Life
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 35k, March 27, 2006)
Assessment (PDF, 2MB, July 27, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students work with living organisms to explore different functions: growth, survival, and reproduction. Students compare properties of seeds and fruits, germinate seeds, and grow plants hydroponically to observe plant life cycle. They maintain crayfish and land snails, and observe and compare their structures and behaviors.
Human Body of FOSS Life
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 50k)
Assessment (PDF, 4.6MB, July 27, 2006)
Students investigate the human skeleton with direct observation, photographs, diagrams, and models. They discover how different tissues (bone, muscle, ligament, tendon) work together to provide movement, protection, and structure. Students conduct a systematic investigation to find out how different parts of the body work together to coordinate responses to tactile and visual stimuli.