Florida – Grade 5 Science Quick-Start Guide

Summary

This guide offers a collection of grade 5 science lessons and activities aligned to Florida’s NGSSS benchmarks for the tested elementary year. It offers a variety of engaging resources, including the Play-Doh circuits lab, windmill and waterwheel builds, solar investigations, and a water pressure lab, that connect energy, electricity, forces, and scientific investigation. This curated content saves teachers time while making energy concepts hands-on and accessible for young learners.

Resources
Introduction to Energy

SC.5.P.10.1, SC.5.P.10.2

Begin with a bell ringer, followed by the video and quiz. Assign the Energy Around Us activity to students.

Introduction to Electricity

SC.5.P.11.1, SC.5.P.11.2, SC.5.P.10.4

Watch the video as a group, followed by the quiz. Complete the Play-Doh Electric Circuits Lab with students.

Holiday Lights: Play-Doh Circuits

SC.5.P.11.1

Assign the holiday edition of the Play-Doh circuits activity to review series and parallel circuits in December.

Introduction to Wind

SC.5.N.1.1

Assign the video and the Build a Windmill lab.

Introduction to Hydropower

SC.5.N.1.1

Assign student groups to complete the bell ringer and the Build a Waterwheel Activity.

Science of Hydropower

SC.5.P.13.1, SC.5.P.13.2

Use the Water Pressure and Flow lab to investigate how the force of falling water changes flow rate, just like water flowing through a dam.

Introduction to Solar

SC.5.N.1.1

Assign the student reading, then have students build and test the passive and active solar models.

Thermal Transfer Investigative Lab

SC.5.N.1.1

Challenge students to test which wrapping materials keep water warm the longest.

Understanding Energy Transformations

SC.5.P.10.1, SC.5.P.10.2

Assign the student reading and challenge questions, then review the slide deck.

Basics Biogeochemical Cycles Data Deductive