Common Planner
K–12 Standards

Grade 3

Other Virginia Science sets

Scientific and Engineering Practices

  • 1.

    The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices by3.1

    1. a.

      asking questions and defining problems3.1.a

      1. i.

        ask questions that can be investigated and predict reasonable outcomes3.1.a.i

      2. ii.

        ask questions about what would happen if a variable is changed3.1.a.ii

      3. iii.

        define a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system3.1.a.iii

    2. b.

      planning and carrying out investigations3.1.b

      1. i.

        with guidance, plan and conduct investigations3.1.b.i

      2. ii.

        use appropriate methods and/or tools for collecting data3.1.b.ii

      3. iii.

        estimate length, mass, volume, and temperature3.1.b.iii

      4. iv.

        measure length, mass, volume, and temperature in metric and U.S. Customary units using proper tools3.1.b.iv

      5. v.

        measure elapsed time3.1.b.v

      6. vi.

        use tools and/or materials to design and/or build a device that solves a specific problem3.1.b.vi

    3. c.

      interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data3.1.c

      1. i.

        organize and represent data in pictographs or bar graphs3.1.c.i

      2. ii.

        read, interpret, and analyze data represented in pictographs and bar graphs3.1.c.ii

      3. iii.

        analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if it works as intended3.1.c.iii

    4. d.

      constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations3.1.d

      1. i.

        use evidence (measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support an explanation3.1.d.i

      2. ii.

        generate and/or compare multiple solutions to a problem3.1.d.ii

      3. iii.

        describe how scientific ideas apply to design solutions3.1.d.iii

    5. e.

      developing and using models3.1.e

      1. i.

        use models to demonstrate simple phenomena and natural processes3.1.e.i

      2. ii.

        develop a model (e.g., diagram or simple physical prototype) to illustrate a proposed object, tool, or process3.1.e.ii

    6. f.

      obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information3.1.f

      1. i.

        read and comprehend reading-level appropriate texts and/or other reliable media3.1.f.i

      2. ii.

        communicate scientific information, design ideas, and/or solutions with others3.1.f.ii

Force, Motion, and Energy

  • 2.

    The student will investigate and understand that the direction and size of force affects the motion of an object. Key ideas include3.2

  • a.

    multiple forces may act on an object;3.2.a

  • b.

    the net force on an object determines how an object moves;3.2.b

  • c.

    simple machines increase or change the direction of a force; and3.2.c

  • d.

    simple and compound machines have many applications.3.2.d

Matter

  • 3.

    The student will investigate and understand how materials interact with water. Key ideas include3.3

  • a.

    solids and liquids mix with water in different ways; and3.3.a

  • b.

    many solids dissolve more easily in hot water than in cold water.3.3.b

Living Systems and Processes

  • 4.

    The student will investigate and understand that adaptations allow organisms to satisfy life needs and respond to the environment. Key ideas include3.4

  • a.

    populations may adapt over time;3.4.a

  • b.

    adaptations may be behavioral or physical; and3.4.b

  • c.

    fossils provide evidence about the types of organisms that lived long ago as well as the nature of their environments.3.4.c

  • 5.

    The student will investigate and understand that aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems support a diversity of organisms. Key ideas include3.5

  • a.

    ecosystems are made of living and nonliving components of the environment; and3.5.a

  • b.

    relationships exist among organisms in an ecosystem.3.5.b

Earth and Space Systems

  • 6.

    The student will investigate and understand that soil is important in ecosystems. Key ideas include3.6

  • a.

    soil, with its different components, is important to organisms; and3.6.a

  • b.

    soil provides support and nutrients necessary for plant growth.3.6.b

  • 7.

    The student will investigate and understand that there is a water cycle and water is important to life on Earth. Key ideas include3.7

  • a.

    there are many reservoirs of water on Earth;3.7.a

  • b.

    the energy from the sun drives the water cycle; and3.7.b

  • c.

    the water cycle involves specific processes.3.7.c

Earth Resources

  • 8.

    The student will investigate and understand that natural events and humans influence ecosystems. Key ideas include3.8

  • a.

    human activity affects the quality of air, water, and habitats;3.8.a

  • b.

    water is limited and needs to be conserved;3.8.b

  • c.

    fire, flood, disease, and erosion affect ecosystems; and3.8.c

  • d.

    soil is a natural resource and should be conserved.3.8.d

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Grade 3
When were these standards adopted?
2018
Where can I read the official document?
Virginia Science Standards of Learning

Keep exploring

Keep exploring Science standards

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