Useful Classroom Scientific Tools

Aluminum Foil - to be used in various physical science experiments

Apron, Rubber or Vinyl - to provide best spill protection

Beakers - simple, clear glass containers used for mixing, stirring and heating of liquids. Most beakers contain a small spout that makes the process of pouring, easy.

Bubbles - to be used in physical science experiments

Compass - to be used in physical and earth science experiments

Electronic Circuit Kit - to conduct electricity experiments

Filter Paper - to detect colors in felt-tip markers; to distill water

Fire Extinguisher - to put out fire in case of an emergency

Gloves, Heat Resistant - for safe handling of hot lab ware

Goggles, Impact - to protect the eyes

Graduated Cylinder - to measure liquid

Laser, Green or Red - to be used in physical science experiments

Lens, Concave (eyeglasses) - to be used in physical science experiments

Lens, Convex (car side mirror) - to be used in physical science experiments

Magnifying Glass - to examine textures and patterns

Measuring Cups and Spoons - to be used in physical and earth science experiments

Measuring Tape - to measure distance or length

Magnets - to conduct magnetic experiments

Microscope - to examine microorganisms 

Mirrors - to be used in physical science experiments 

Modeling Clay - to be used to make models for earth science

PH Paper, pHydrion - to test whether a fluid is acid or alkaline

Pipette (dropper) - to dispense drops of liquid

Plastic Wrap - to be used in various earth science experiments

Prism

Rubber Band - to use in physical science experiments

Ruler - to be used in physical science experiments

Simple Machines - can be replaced by Tinker Toy or K'Nex for students to make their own designs

Telescope - to be used for star gazing

Thermometer - to be used in physical science experiments

Timer - to measure starting and ending time of an experiment

Torchlight - to be used in physical science experiments

Towel, Paper or Cloth - to clean up any mess after the experiment is conducted

Voltmeter - to measure voltage ( Volts (voltage) is a measure of the force moving the electrons)

Weather Station Kit - to be used in earth science experiments

Weighting Scale - to be used in physical and earth science experiments

Source: http://www.sciencetoolbox.com/articles/article_07-05-04.html

Overview: Units of Study

In 5th grade, we cover the following units of study:

• Living Systems (cells, using microscopes, 5 kingdoms)
• Oceanography (physical and biological, geology of ocean floor, public policy regarding the oceans)
• Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Changes (the rock cycle, types of rocks, Earth's interior, plate tectonics, weathering and erosion, human impact on the Earth's suface)
• Matter (atoms, molecules, elements, and compounds; mixtures and solutions)
• Sound (sounds waves, pitch, frequency)
• Light (visible spectrum, light waves, reflection, refraction, concave and convex lenses, prisms, contributions of Galileo, Hook, van Leeuwenhoek, and Newton)

All units of study include scientific investigation, reasoning, and logic.