Study Guide - Richmond Public Schoolsweb.richmond.k12.va.us/Portals/47/assets/pdfs/3sciguide.pdf · c. pulley d. wheel and axle 6. ... Third Grade Study Guide ... Use the following

Study Guide

Third GradeRichmond Public Schools

2003Written by the Elementary Science

Lead Teachers

Richmond Public Schools2002-2003

Elementary Science Study Guide2

2002-2003 Elementary Science Lead TeachersBellevue Crystal Clark

Blackwell Jocelyn EdwardsBlackwell Annex Virginia Hayes

Broad Rock Yvette HubbardCarver Richard O’BrienCary Beth Sawyer

Chimborazo Tracy SmithClark Springs Lillie Ratliff-Ross

Fairfield Rita WilliamsFisher Paige Kestler-BelcherFox Cheryl Brown

Francis Marcie ByrneGinter Park Maeola Strother

Greene Carolyn ColemanHolton Heidi Roberts

Miles Jones Maricia HayesMason Vicki Robertson

Mary Scott Michelle ParsonsMaymont Angela Bailey

Mary Munford John BennettA.V. Norrell Carolyn DoyleOak Grove Phyllis Parham

Overby-Sheppard Jerome HolmesPatrick Henry Greg Stallings

Redd Pam ParsonsReid Sandra Hicks

Southampton Joe JenkinsStuart Katherine Martin

Summer Hill Nicole Brooks-GilesSwansboro Cynthia Gino

Westover Hills Charmaine BrooksWhitcombWoodville David Probst

Laura Wilkowski, Science Instructional SpecialistNelson Colbert, Science Instructional Specialist



Third Grade Study GuideScientific Investigation 3.1

Name _________________________________

1. Susan and John want to find out if the scooter they have is faster than theirclassmates’ scooters. They are sure it is. Write below a hypothesis for the problemthat they are investigating. Be sure to use the “if __, then ___” form.

2. Write four observations for the picture below. Then make a prediction about whatmight happen next.

Observations:1.

2.

3.

4.

Prediction:

3. Determine the favorite colors of your classmates. Fill in the data in the table below.Then graph this data on a separate sheet of graph paper.

Favorite Colors of Students in our ClassFavorite Colors Number of Students Who Like this colorBlueRedGreenYellowBlackWhiteOrangePurple



4. Gather ten different books from your classroom or home. List below categories intowhich they might be grouped.

5. Write three observations and one inference about the picture below.

Observations:1.

2.

3.

4.

Inference:

6. The car below is about _______ centimeters long. It is ______ inches long.

All books



6. Find four objects with a mass of ten grams. Write them below.

7. What is the volume of liquid in the graduated cylinder below?

8. Find the temperature of your classroom in Celsius and Fahrenheit.

9. Calculate how long it takes one of your friends to write their first and last name 20times.

10. What measuring tool would a farmer use to find out the temperature outside?

11. What measuring tool would you use to measure the mass of a telephone?



12. What measuring tool would you use to measure the volume of water a vase holds?

13. Which will measure air temperature?

a. b.

c. d.



Third Grade Study GuideSimple Machines 3.2

Name _________________________________

1. List the six simple machines and give 5 common examples of each.Simple Machine Example1. A.

B.C.D.E.

2. A.B.C.D.E.

3. A.B.C.D.E.

4. A.B.C.D.E.

5. A.B.C.D.E.

6. A.B.C.D.E.



2. Why would I use a screwdriver to help open a paint can? What do simple machinesdo for us?

3. Labels the parts of the simple machine listed below. Then tell what type of simplemachine it is.

4. What would happen if the paint can were moved closer to the middle of the simplemachine listed above?

5. . The blade of the knife below is an example of what type of simple machine?

a. leverb. wedgec. pulleyd. wheel and axle

6. A seesaw is an example of aa. inclined planeb. wedgec. wheel and axled. lever

7. What object is wide at one end and pointed at another to help cut or split objects?a. inclined planeb. wedgec. wheel and axled. lever



8. These are all examples of a wedge excepta. knivesb. front teethc. a baseballd. saws

9. Gravity is a kind ofa. forceb. machinec. leveld. heat

10. What is a simple machine?

11. What is a lever?

12. What is an inclined plane?

13. What is a wedge?

14. What is a wheel and axle?

15. What is a screw?

16. What is a pulley?

17. What machine pushes objects apart?



18. What machine is used to hold objects together?

18. The picture shows two different iron wedges used to split a log. One does not split thelog into two pieces, but the other one does. The wedge that splits the log is –

a. harder

b. wider

c. lighter

d. warmer



Third Grade Study GuideMatter 3.3

What is matter?

Matter is an object that takes up space and has mass.

What is a solid?

A solid is an object that has a certain volume and shape. The atoms are very close together in asolid.

What is a liquid?

A liquid has volume, but takes the shape of its container.

What is a gas?

A gas takes up space, but has no shape or volume of its own. The atom are very far apart.

What is mass?

Mass is the amount of matter in an object (weight).

What are the properties of matter?

The properties of matter are the size, color, taste, sound, smell, and texture of an object.

If matter is reduced in size do all the other physical properties stay the same?Yes, the color, taste, sound, smell, and texture stay the same.

If you cut a piece of paper in half do the physical properties stay the same?

Yes, the color and texture of the paper stay the same.



Third Grade Study GuideMatter 3.3

Name _________________________________

1. Use the Venn diagram below to list the properties of solids and liquids.

2. Describe how the properties of solids, liquids AND gases are similar and different.

3. What is an atom?

SolidsLiquids



4. Give an example of an object that is visible. Describe what being visible means.

5. Give an example of an object that is invisible. Describe what being invisible means.

6. An ice cube is an example of aa. solidb. liquidc. gasd. atom

7. When a liquid is changed to a gas it is calleda. meltingb. freezingc. evaporationd. condensation

8. A balance measures an object’sa. volumeb. massc. propertiesd. atoms

9. Which object has particles that move around the most?a. a brickb. waterc. aird. pencil



10. What makes up matter?e. atomsf. statesg. volumeh. properties

11. When you tell an object’s length, you describe aa. volumeb. propertyc. stated. mass

12. What two forms of matter have no shape of their own?e. solids and liquidsf. liquids and gasesg. solids and gasesh. none of the above

13. Matter is made up of tiny particles too small to be seen. They are calleda. gramsb. atomsc. cellsd. crystals

14. When a gas is changed into a liquid it is callede. meltingf. freezingg. evaporationh. condensation

15. Which solid will dissolve in a liquid?a. sandb. sugarc. plastic beadsd. marbles



Third Grade Study GuideLife Processes 3.4

In order to survive, animals act in different ways to gather and store food.

How do chipmunks, squirrels, and prairie dogs get their food? ____ (gathering)

How do meat eating animals, such as cougar, get their food? ____ (hunting)

Physical adaptations or the way an animal looks helps animals survive in their environment.

What is mimicry?Mimicry is when an animal looks like other animals to avoid being eaten. This adaptation helpsprotect them from their predators. For example, the viceroy butterfly tastes good to birds, butthe monarch butterfly tastes bad. Because the viceroy butterfly looks like the monarch butterfly,it is safer from birds.

What is camouflage?An animal is camouflaged when its body covering looks similar to its

surroundings



Third Grade Study GuideLife Processes 3.4

Name _________________________________

1. Define the words that follow and give an example for each.Vocabulary Definition ExampleMigrate

Hibernate

Estivate

Camouflage

Mimicry

Storing food

Defending themselves

2. All of the vocabulary above describes physical or behavioral______________________. This is a way that an animal or plant has changed tosurvive in their environment.



3. A copperhead snake has a body covering of scales that are the color of copperpennies. It is able to camouflage itself in its habitat. Where would you expect to findcopperhead snakes?

A. in a meadow of tall green grass

B. in a sandy desert

C. among dead leaves in a forest

D. in a garden of brightly colored flowers

4. The advantage in the scarlet king snake looking like the coral snake is that -

a. it is attractive to other animals

b. animals will be afraid of it

c. it will be able to find other king snakes

d. it can have the coral snake take care of its young



6. Which type of frog foot is best adapted for swimming?

a. b.

c. d.

7. Which box shows animals that depend most on camouflage for protection?

a.

b.

c.

d.



Third Grade Study GuideLiving Systems: Relationships among organisms 3.5

Name _________________________________

1. List examples for each of the following categories.

Producer Consumer Decomposer

2. Define decomposer in your OWN words.

3. Define producer in your OWN words.

4. Define consumer in your OWN words.



5. List examples for each of the following.Herbivore Carnivore Omnivore

6. Make a food chain that includes one producer, one herbivore, and one carnivore.

7. For each of the following, circle the predator.

Fox, Rabbit

Moth, Bat

Fly, Frog

Robin, Worm

Deer, Human

8. List your own predator and prey below. Then tell whether each is an omnivore,carnivore or herbivore.

Predator Prey

________________________ ____________________________

omnivore, carnivore or herbivore omnivore, carnivore or herbivore



Use the following diagram to answer questions 9-12.

algae-->minnow-->bass-->blue heron

9. Scientist call this diagram a ________________________.

A. energy cycle

B. food chain

C. lake environment

D. water cycle

10. In this diagram which organism can be described as a predator and a prey?

A. algae

B. blue heron

C. minnow

D. bass

11. Bird watchers observed that the number of blue herons sighted at this lake haddecreased. What is the best explanation of what might cause this?

A. More bass were put into the lake for better fishing.

B. A bass fishing contest was held at this lake earlier in the year.

C. A rule was made that fisherman had to put all fish that they caught back intothe lake.

D. The bird watchers scared the blue herons away.

12. Which organism is best described as a herbivore?

A. algae

B. minnow

C. bass

D. blue heron



Third Grade Study GuideLiving Systems: Animals share limited resources 3.6

Name _________________________________

1. Describe each environment, and then give an example of a plant and an animal thatlives in each.Environment Description Plant AnimalMarsh

Pond

Swamp

Stream

River

Ocean

Desert

Grassland

Rainforest

Forest

2. What might happen to a population of deer if the amount of producers in an area wasdamaged by drought?



3. What would happen to a population of wolves that depended on the deer in question#2?

4. How would an environment be affected if hunting were banned and no deer werekilled in a given area?

5. Describe five things that might affect the population of animals in an area.



Third Grade Study GuideSoil 3.7

What is soil?

Soil is another word for dirt. It is made of rock, air, water, and decayed plants and animals.

How do large rocks become part of soil?

Large rocks have many holes and cracks. When it rains or snows, water fills the holes andcracks. This water freezes and pushes against the rock. As the water continues to freeze andmelt, the rock slowly breaks apart. Over many years, the water causes the rock to break intosmall pieces and form soil.

Soil can also collect in the cracks of the rock. Plants can grow in this soil. The roots pushagainst the rock and break it apart. Over many years, a large rock can cause a large rock tocrumble.

What are the components of soil?

The components of soil are clay, silt, humus, sand, and rock.

1. Sandy soil is loose and easy to dig. Sand is the largest particle in the soil. Sandysoil does not hold water, and it has few nutrients. Most plants do not grow wellin sandy soil.

2. Silt is a soil particle whose size is between sand and clay. Silt feels smooth andpowdery.

3. Clay soil is made of tiny grains that are very close together. Clay soil holds waterwell and has many nutrients. Many plants can’t grow in clay soil because thegrains are so close together.

4. When plants and animals die they decay or rot. Decomposers help the break thedead plants and animals into tiny pieces. The tiny pieces of decayed plants andanimals are called humus.

5. Due to erosion of the subsoil and bedrock little pieces of rock are part of soil.

What are the layers if soil?

_________________________________________________________________Topsoil- It is the top layer where plants grow. Topsoil is a natural product of the erosion ofsubsoil and bedrock. It contains nutrients that plants need to grow.



_________________________________________________________________Subsoil- It is the layer under the topsoil. It is made of smaller size rocks._________________________________________________________________Bedrock- It is the layer under the bedrock. It is a large slab of rock.________________________________________________________

Is soil a natural resource?

Yes, soil is a natural resource. It needs to be conserved (saved) because it is important forplants.

Why is soil important?1. Soil gives support to plants.2. Soil holds the roots of the plant.3. Soil has nutrients plants need to grow.



Third Grade Study GuideSoil 3.7

Name _________________________________

1. Give two examples of organic materials that might be found in soil.

2. Give two examples of inorganic materials that might be found in soil.

3. Peanuts are primarily grown in the eastern part of Virginia because of the sandysoil. Describe how water acts in sandy soil.

4. Describe how clay is different from sandy soil.

5. Describe what loam is and why a gardener might want it for his plants.

6. Describe how plants, animals and people depend on soil.



7. Describe the difference between topsoil, subsoil and bedrock.

8. The process whereby rocks are broken down naturally into soil is known as

__________________________________.

9. Describe three ways that erosion might occur.



Third Grade Study GuideEarth Patterns, Cycles and Change:

Basic Sequences and Cycles 3.8

Name _________________________________

1. Explain why we have day and night.

2. If it took the earth longer to revolve around the sun, we would have longer

__________________. Explain your answer below.

3. Why do we have seasons?

4. Why does the moon look different at the beginning of the month than it does at theend of the month?



5. Put the phases of the moon below in order.

__________ __________ __________ __________

6. How many tide cycles are there in a given day? Why do they occur?

7. Put the life cycle below in order.

__________ __________ __________ __________

8. Explain the life cycle of humans.



9. A student recorded the phase of the moon on Monday of each week for 8 weeks.According to the results, which of these shows the moon on Monday of the ninthweek?

e. f.

g. h.



Third Grade Study GuideEarth Patterns, Cycles and Change:

Water Cycle 3.9

Name _________________________________

1. Draw the water cycle below and label each stage.



2. Julie noticed some water forming on the outside of her water pipes. She knew shedidn’t have a leak. What might explain this water?

3. Why don’t you see puddles for days after it rains? Where do they go? Why?

4. List some ways that we can conserve water below.

5. Tides are caused by the pull of this on the earth's oceans.a. the moonb. full moonc. rotationd. revolution

6. Seasons are caused by the earth's revolution around the sun and by this a. the moon b. full moon c. rotation d. the tilt of the earth



7. Day and night are caused by this movement of the earth a. the moon b. full moon c. rotation d. the tilt of the earth



Third Grade Study GuideResources:

Natural and Human events survival of species 3.10

Name _________________________________

1. Explain what happen if all the salmon and lake trout were affected by water pollution.



2. How do humans affect the quality of air?

3. If all of the trees in a forest were cut down to make a new housing development, whatwould happen to the other organisms within a forest?

4. Describe each of the following natural disasters in your own words.

Earthquake-

Volcano-

Flood-

Drought-

5. Describe one way that humans could help to restore or renew an environment that hasbeen damaged.

6. What does conservation mean?



7. Describe species monitoring in your own words.

8. Wildlife preserves, national parks and national forests are all examples of

____________________ ____________________.

9. What natural event most likely caused the damage to this forest habitat?

a. A flood

b. A fire

c. A hurricane

d. An earthquake



Third Grade Study GuideResources:

Energy Sources 3.11

What is energy? Energy is the ability to do work or produce change.

What is the world’s greatest natural energy source? (The sun)

What is a very powerful form of energy? (Nuclear Energy)

What are natural sources of nature? Sunlight, wind, and water are natural sources of energy.

Solar energy can be captured directly from the sun by plants to make food. Solar energy canalso be converted to electricity by solar cells.

The force of flowing water and moving air (wind) can also be used to generate electricity.



Resources:Energy Sources 3.11

Name _________________________________

1. List three resources that are renewable.

2. List three resources that are nonrenewable.

3. Define solar energy in your own words and give an example of something that usessolar energy.

4. What is an example of something that uses wind energy?

5. ______________________ sources of energy are ones that can be used many times.

6. ______________________ sources of energy are ones that cannot be recreated formany hundreds of years.

Documents

Study Guide - Richmond Public Schoolsweb.richmond.k12.va.us/Portals/47/assets/pdfs/3sciguide.pdf · c. pulley d. wheel and axle 6. ... Third Grade Study Guide ... Use the following