Texas Science — Grade 3
Comprehensive Course Syllabus
Course Overview
Our Texas Grade 3 Science course is designed according to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards. The curriculum encourages students to investigate the natural world through observation, experimentation, engineering design, and inquiry-based learning.
Students explore life science, Earth and space science, physical science, environmental science, and STEM concepts while developing critical thinking, scientific reasoning, and problem-solving skills.
Scientific Investigation & Engineering
Scientific Inquiry
Students learn how scientists ask questions, form hypotheses, conduct investigations, collect evidence, and communicate conclusions.
Scientific Tools & Measurement
Students use rulers, thermometers, balances, measuring cylinders, magnifying glasses, and digital tools to make accurate observations and measurements.
Recording & Interpreting Data
Students organize observations using tables, charts, graphs, and diagrams while identifying patterns and drawing conclusions.
Engineering Design Process
Students solve real-world problems by designing, building, testing, evaluating, and improving simple engineering models.
Science Safety Practices
Students follow classroom and outdoor safety rules, wear goggles when needed, and handle materials responsibly during investigations.
Using Models in Science
Students build and use simple models, such as globes and diagrams, to represent objects and events that are hard to observe directly.
Life Science
Living Organisms
Students study the characteristics, needs, and life processes of plants, animals, and other living organisms.
Plant Structures & Life Cycles
Students investigate plant parts, pollination, seed dispersal, growth, and reproduction.
Animal Adaptations
Students explore how physical and behavioral adaptations help animals survive in different environments.
Ecosystems & Food Chains
Students understand how plants, animals, and microorganisms interact within ecosystems through food chains and food webs.
Inherited Traits & Learned Behaviors
Students distinguish between inherited characteristics and behaviors learned through experience.
Animal Life Cycles
Students compare the life cycles of insects, amphibians, and mammals, including complete metamorphosis in butterflies and frogs.
Earth & Space Science
Earth's Surface
Students examine rocks, soil, landforms, rivers, mountains, plains, and natural processes that shape Earth's surface.
Weather & Climate
Students investigate weather patterns, climate zones, seasonal changes, and the tools used to measure weather.
The Water Cycle
Students explore evaporation, condensation, precipitation, collection, and the continuous movement of water on Earth.
The Solar System
Students learn about the Sun, planets, Moon, stars, Earth's rotation, revolution, and the causes of day, night, and seasons.
Fossils
Students examine how fossils form in sedimentary rock and what they reveal about plants and animals from long ago.
Weathering & Erosion
Students model how wind, water, and ice slowly break down rock and carry sediment to new places.
Physical Science
Matter
Students classify solids, liquids, and gases while investigating their physical properties and changes.
Physical & Chemical Changes
Students compare reversible physical changes with simple examples of irreversible chemical changes.
Heat & Temperature
Students investigate how heat is transferred and how temperature affects different materials.
Light & Sound
Students study reflection, shadows, transparent and opaque materials, sound vibrations, and how light and sound travel.
Mixtures & Solutions
Students combine and separate simple mixtures and observe how some solids dissolve in water to form solutions.
Measuring Mass & Volume
Students measure the mass and volume of solids and liquids using balances and graduated containers.
Force, Motion & Energy
Forces & Motion
Students investigate pushes, pulls, gravity, friction, and how different forces affect the movement of objects.
Magnets
Students explore magnetic poles, attraction, repulsion, and everyday applications of magnets.
Forms of Energy
Students identify heat, light, sound, electrical, and mechanical energy through practical demonstrations.
Energy Conservation
Students learn simple ways to conserve electricity, water, fuel, and other valuable natural resources.
Electricity & Simple Circuits
Students build simple circuits with batteries, wires, and bulbs and identify materials that conduct electricity.
Patterns of Motion
Students observe straight, circular, and back-and-forth motion and predict how objects will move based on patterns.
Environment & Natural Resources
Natural Resources
Students learn the importance of air, water, soil, forests, minerals, and renewable and non-renewable resources.
Environmental Conservation
Students explore recycling, pollution prevention, habitat protection, and sustainable living practices.
Human Impact on the Environment
Students understand how human activities affect ecosystems and discover ways to protect the planet.
Texas Ecosystems & Habitats
Students explore prairies, deserts, forests, wetlands, and Gulf Coast habitats found across Texas.
Protecting Wildlife
Students learn how habitat loss affects animals and how conservation efforts help protect endangered species.
Caring for Water Resources
Students discover where drinking water comes from and practice simple habits that keep rivers, lakes, and aquifers clean.
STEM & Scientific Projects
Hands-on Science Experiments
Students conduct safe experiments that reinforce classroom concepts through observation and discovery.
STEM Challenges
Students participate in engineering and design activities that combine Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
Science Fair Projects
Students plan, conduct, and present simple science investigations while developing research and presentation skills.
Technology in Science
Students use digital tools, videos, and simple simulations to collect information and explore science concepts.
Team Investigations
Students work in small groups to plan investigations, share responsibilities, and discuss results respectfully.
Science Journals & Portfolios
Students keep organized journals with drawings, labels, and notes that document their investigations over time.
The Human Body & Healthy Habits
The Five Senses
Students review how sight, hearing, smell, taste, and touch help us gather information about the world.
Bones & Muscles
Students learn how the skeleton supports the body and how muscles work in pairs to create movement.
Heart & Lungs
Students explore how the heart pumps blood and how the lungs take in oxygen during breathing and exercise.
Digestion & Nutrition
Students follow the path food takes through the body and identify foods that belong in a balanced diet.
Exercise & Sleep
Students understand why daily physical activity and a regular sleep routine keep the body strong and alert.
Germs & Hygiene
Students learn how germs spread and practice hand washing and other habits that prevent illness.
Healthy Choices
Students make smart choices about sun safety, hydration, and screen time to protect their growing bodies.
Natural Hazards & Weather Safety
Earthquakes
Students learn how sudden movements in Earth's crust cause earthquakes and change the land quickly.
Volcanoes
Students discover how volcanoes erupt and how lava and ash build new landforms over time.
Landslides & Floods
Students investigate how heavy rain can cause flooding and landslides that reshape Earth's surface.
Tornadoes & Thunderstorms
Students study the severe storms common in Texas and how meteorologists track and warn communities.
Hurricanes on the Gulf Coast
Students learn how hurricanes form over warm ocean water and affect Texas coastal communities.
Drought & Wildfire
Students explore how long dry periods affect land, plants, and animals and how wildfires spread.
Severe Weather Safety Plans
Students create simple family safety plans and identify safe places to go during severe weather.
Exploring Space & Sky Patterns
Phases of the Moon
Students observe and chart the Moon's changing phases over a month and identify the repeating pattern.
Constellations & Star Patterns
Students identify well-known constellations and learn how stars appear to move across the night sky.
Telescopes & Observatories
Students learn how telescopes gather light and help astronomers study distant planets and stars.
Astronauts & Space Travel
Students discover how astronauts train, live, and work aboard spacecraft and the space station.
Satellites in Our Lives
Students learn how satellites orbit Earth and support weather forecasts, maps, and communication.
Shadows & the Sun's Path
Students track shadows during the day to see how the Sun's position changes from morning to evening.
Famous Space Missions
Students explore landmark missions, including the Moon landings, and the role Texas plays in space exploration.
Simple Machines & Everyday Engineering
Levers
Students explore how levers, like see-saws and scissors, make lifting and cutting easier.
Wheels & Axles
Students investigate how wheels and axles reduce friction and help move heavy loads.
Pulleys
Students build simple pulleys and test how they change the direction of a pulling force.
Inclined Planes & Ramps
Students test how ramps make it easier to raise objects and compare the effort needed at different slopes.
Wedges & Screws
Students identify wedges and screws in everyday tools and explain how each one helps do work.
Machines at Home & School
Students find simple machines in everyday objects, from door handles and zippers to bicycles.
Design & Build Challenge
Students combine simple machines to design a device that solves a small everyday problem.
Science in Everyday Life & Careers
Kitchen Science
Students observe everyday changes in the kitchen, such as melting, freezing, and dissolving.
Science at the Playground
Students connect swings, slides, and bouncing balls to ideas about force, motion, and energy.
Meteorologists at Work
Students learn how meteorologists use data and tools to predict weather and keep communities safe.
Doctors, Nurses & Veterinarians
Students discover how medical professionals use science to care for people and animals.
Engineers & Builders
Students learn how engineers design bridges, buildings, and machines that people use every day.
Exploring Science Careers
Students meet examples of scientists, from marine biologists to astronomers, and learn what each one studies.
Thinking Like a Scientist
Students practice curiosity, careful observation, and honest reporting in everyday life.
Teaching Methodology
Our science classes focus on inquiry-based learning, experimentation, and real-world scientific exploration. Students learn through:
Learning Outcomes
By the end of Grade 3, students will be able to:
Assessment & Progress Tracking
Student progress is evaluated through: