05- 071 C.M.R. ch. 131, § 3
CONTENT STANDARDS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Students understand the universal nature of matter, energy, force, and motion and identify how these relationships are exhibited in Earth Systems, in the solar system, and throughout the universe.
Universe and Solar System
Grades 3-5
3.1.1 Students describe the positions and apparent motions of different objects in and beyond our solar system and how these objects can be viewed from Earth.
Grades 6-8
3.1.2 Students explain the movements, and describe the location, composition, and characteristics of our solar system and universe, including planets, the sun, and galaxies.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.3 Students explain the physical formation and changing nature of our universe and solar system, and how our past and present knowledge of the universe and solar system developed.
Earth
Grades 3-5
3.1.4 Students describe the properties of Earth's surface materials, the processes that change them, and the cycles that affect the Earth.
Grades 6-8
3.1.5 Students describe the various cycles, physical and biological forces and processes, position in space, energy transformations, and human actions that affect the short-term and long-term changes to the Earth.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.6 Students describe and analyze the biological, physical, energy, and human influences that shape and alter Earth Systems.
Matter and Energy
Grades 3-5
3.1.6 Students describe properties of objects and materials before and after they undergo a change or interaction.
Grades 6-8
3.1.7 Students describe physical and chemical properties of matter, interactions and changes in matter, and transfer of energy through matter.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.8 Students describe the structure, behavior, and interactions of matter at the atomic level and the relationship between matter and energy.
Force and Motion
Grades 3-5
3.1.9 Students summarize how various forces affect the motion of objects.
Grades 6-8
3.1.10 Students describe the force of gravity, the motion of objects, the properties of waves, and the wavelike property of energy in light waves.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.1.11 Students understand that the laws of force and motion are the same across the universe.
Students understand that cells are the basic unit of life, that all life as we know it has evolved through genetic transfer and natural selection to create a great diversity of organisms, and that these organisms create interdependent webs through which matter and energy flow. Students understand similarities and differences between humans and other organisms and the interconnections of these interdependent webs.
Biodiversity
Grades 3-5
3.2.1 Students compare living things based on their behaviors, external features, and environmental needs.
Grades 6-8
3.2.2 Students differentiate among organisms based on biological characteristics and identify patterns of similarity.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.3 Students describe and analyze the evidence for relatedness among and within diverse populations of organisms and the importance of biodiversity.
Ecosystems
Grades 3-5
3.2.4 Students describe ways organisms depend upon, interact within, and change the living and non-living environment as well as ways the environment affects organisms.
Grades 6-8
3.2.5 Students examine how the characteristics of the physical, non-living (abiotic) environment, the types and behaviors of living (biotic) organisms, and the flow of matter and energy affect organisms and the ecosystem of which they are part.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.6 Students describe and analyze the interactions, cycles, and factors that affect short-term and long-term ecosystem stability and change.
Cells
Grades 3-5
3.2.7 Students describe how living things are made up of one or more cells and the ways cells help organisms meet their basic needs.
Grades 6-8
3.2.8 Students describe the hierarchy of organization and function in organisms, and the similarities and differences in structure, function, and needs among and within organisms.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.9 Students describe structure and function of cells at the intracellular and molecular level including differentiation to form systems, interactions between cells and their environment, and the impact of cellular processes and changes on individuals.
Heredity and Reproduction
Grades 3-5
3.2.10 Students describe characteristics of organisms and the reasons why organisms differ from or are similar to their parents.
Grades 6-8
3.2.11 Students describe the general characteristics and mechanisms of reproduction and heredity in organisms, including humans, and ways in which organisms are affected by their genetic traits.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.12 Students examine the role of DNA in transferring traits from generation to generation, in differentiating cells, and in evolving new species.
Evolution
Grades 3-5
3.2.13 Students describe the fossil evidence and present explanations that help us understand why there are differences among and between present and past organisms.
Grades 6-8
3.2.14 Students describe the evidence that evolution occurs over many generations, allowing species to acquire many of their unique characteristics or adaptations.
Grades 9-Diploma
3.2.15 Students describe the interactions between and among species, populations, and environments that lead to natural selection and evolution.
05- 071 C.M.R. ch. 131, § 3