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NATURAL

SCIENCE 5

th Grade

2014-2015

Name: _________________________

Number: _______

Class: ________

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UNIT 5. ECOSYSTEMS

An ecosystem has three

components:

1. A place: biotope

2. Living things: the

biocenosis

3. The relationships between

them.

1.What is an ecosystem?

A community of animals and plants interacting with their environment.

It is a community of living organisms (the BIOCENOSIS) in conjunction with

the nonliving components of their environment (BIOTOPE) and the

relationships between them.

Organism-Ecosystem Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Gm9zJS10-

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1. The biotope includes the non-living

components of the ecosystem. The

surrounding conditions which affect

living things, such as soil, water, light,

air and climate.

2. The biocenosis includes the living

components: The animals are called

fauna. The plants are called flora.

There are also fungi, bacteria and

algae.

A pond may be home to different

species, for example: rushes,

frogs, herons and carps.

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3. The relationships in an ecosystem

All the components in an ecosystem are related. The depend on each other. If these

relationships remain stable, the ecosystem is in balance. Unusual changes in the

components of the ecosystem disturb the balance.

2.Types of ecosystems

Depending on the characteristics of their biotope they can be classified as:

1. Aquatic: Freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes…) or Marine ecosystems

(saltwater)

2. Land or terrestrial. It is not covered by water

3. Mixed: in places where land and water meet (beaches, deltas…)

Aquatic ecosystems: Coral reefs

A land (or terrestrial) ecosystem

Mixed ecosystem: Rainforest

3.Feeding relationships

Living things need nutrients. They obtain nutrients from the biotope and from

other living things.

1. Producers: such as plants or algae make their own food.

2. Consumers:

- Primary consumers: such as fish or zebras. They eat plants.

- Secondary consumers: such as lions and snakes. They eat primary

consumers.

- Tertiary consumers: secondary consumers which eat other secondary

consumers (eagles and owls)

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3. Decomposers: fungi and some bacteria eat the remains of other living

things

4.Food chain

Food chains show how food transfers from one living thing to another in an

ecosystem

Ecosystem Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRhdDs91aas

5.Invasive species

An invasive species is a plant or animal that is not native to a specific location

and has a tendency to spread. They cause damage to the environment, human

economy and/or human health.

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European Rabbits in Australia

Bunny rabbits may be adorable, but they are an absolute nightmare in Australia. These hopping creatures are eradicating native wildlife. European rabbits obviously aren't a menace individually, but their powers of reproducing — and eating — can destroy ecosystems with shocking speed.

A mere 24 rabbits introduced into Australia in 1859 as a hunting diversion for European settlers quickly got to 10 billion hopping menaces by the 1920s. The animals devastated farmers crops. A massive "rabbit proof fence" erected in Western Australia to stop the bunny plague didn't help much. Rabbits are believed to be responsible for the extinction of a number of small marsupials and they continue to threaten native plants and animals. Video: http://www.globalpost.com/dispatches/news/science/invaders-among-us-rogues-gallery-invasive-species-and-what-they-mean-you

6.* Reading “In danger of extinction” (page 8)

ACTIVITIES:

1. Name the different parts of an ecosystem: …………………………………………………………………………………

2. Draw what you can find in an ecosystem

Living things Non-living components Relationships

3. Explain the differences between biotope and biocenosis: …………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Complete the sentences:

In an ecosystem, the animals are called ………………… (3)

In an ecosystem, the plants are called ………………… (5)

There are also: …………………(2), ………………………(1) and ………………… (4)

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5. Now, complete de crossword with the words from exercise 4. (use the numbers

next to the words)

6. Write the words into the correct column:

Grass coral reef earth starfish cow lake sea river bush dolphin

tree

AQUATIC ECOSYSTEM TERRESTRIAL ECOSYSTEM

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………

7. Match the words:

8. Complete the sentences:

- Living things obtain …………………… from the …………………… and from another

……………… things.

- According to feeding relationships, the organisms are classified as:

………………………, ……………………… or …………………………

Freshwater

Land

Mixed

Marine

Forest

Rivers and lakes

Coral reef

Rainforest

Saltwater

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9. Write the words in the box into the correct place:

Algae fish lions owls fungi plant bacteria zebra snakes eagles

- Make their own food …………………………………………………………………………

- Eat plants …………………………………………………………………………………………

- Eat primary consumers ……………………………………………………………………

- Eat secondary consumers …………………………………………………………………

- Eat the remains of other living things ………………………………………………

10. What is an “invasive species”?

An invasive species is a ……………… or ………………… that is not native to a specific

……………………… and has a tendency to ……………………….

11. What kind of damage can it cause?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………

12. European rabitt in Australia:

- Vocabulary: write five words you have learned in this article:

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………….

- Why are rabbits a menace in Australia?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

…………………….

- How many rabbits were introduced in Australia?

………………………………………………………………………………

- What did they do to stop the plague?

…………………………………………………………………………………………………

- Complete the sentence: Rabbits are responsible for the extinction of a number of

small …………………. and they continue to threaten native ……………….. and

……………………..

INTERESTING WEB PAGES

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecosystem

http://biology.tutorvista.com/ecology/abiotic-factors.html?view=simple

http://www.tburg.k12.ny.us/mcdonald/foodch1.htm

http://pagetenglish.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/rabbit-proof-fence/

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/activity/ecosystems-11-studyjams-interactive-

science-activities

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UNIT 8: MACHINES

INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC We use simple machines every day.

Machines are objects that make it easier to do work. They help us lift, pull,

transport, and hold objects together. Without these very basic machines our

lives would be much harder.

The ancient Egyptians built pyramids

using different machines. These were

not machines that ran on gas or

electricity. They were machines that

were used to make work easier. These

machines were called later simple

machines by the Greeks.

The Egyptians invented and used many simple machines, in their pyramids,

such as the inclined plane the lever and the pulley, to aid construction

processes. They used the lever and the pulley to raise heavy stones; and the

inclined plane to transport heavy loads.

In ancient Greece a scientist named

Archimedes came up with the idea that

there are simple machines which can be

used to make work easier. These

machines could change the direction of

movement and could lessen the amount

of work needed for moving things.

Later, scientists and artists like Galileo and Da Vinci advanced this idea and

came up with the six simple machines we have today: pulley, screw, wheel &

axle, lever, wedge, and inclined plane. Almost all modern machines use one or

more of these six simple machines.

Class activity:

Machines are everywhere. We use them to play and to work. Have a look

around you: Can you name at least three simple machines?

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LEARN MORE ABOUT MACHINES!

What is a Machine?

A machine is a tool used to make work easier.

Types of machines

There are two types of machines: simple and complex or compound machines.

Simple machines: They are simple tools used to make work easier.

There are six types of simple machines.

Compound machines have two or more simple machines working together

to make work easier.

What Is a Simple Machine? Machines help people make work easier. Simple machines have either one

moving part or no moving parts. Simple machines have only one or two main

parts. A screwdriver, a knife, a broom, and even a slide on the playground are

all simple machines.

Let’s learn about the six types of simple machines.

Pulley—A pulley is a wheel with a rope or a belt around it.

A pulley helps a person lift or move something up, down,

or across an area.

When you pull it downward, the other end lifts upward.

The function of the pulley is to change the direction of a

force.

Screw—A screw is an object that spirals around itself or

around a center post. When you turn it, it can lift objects

or also it is often used to hold things together.

The function of the screw is to hold things together or to

lift and object. Inclined plane—An inclined plane is a flat surface that is higher

at one end. It helps a person move something up or down from

one place to another. It works like a ramp.

The function of an inclined plane is to move objects to a greater

height.

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Wheel and axle—A wheel and axle move at the same time. The axle is the rod

that fits through the center of the wheel. When the wheel is turned, it turns

the axel with it. Both parts turn to help a person move something.

The function of the wheel and axle is to reduce friction of moving something.

Wedge—A wedge is an object with a sharp edge. It is a pair of inclined planes

attached back to back. A wedge helps a person spread or cut apart something.

The function of the wedge is to force things apart.

A lever—A lever is a flat bar that rests on a

support called a fulcrum. This bar pivots or

turns on a fixed point: the fulcrum. A lever

helps a person move or lift something.

The function of the lever is to increase or

decrease the applied force.

Class activity

List two examples of each type of simple machines.

Use the following words to complete the blanks.

1. A is made up of two inclined planes and is very useful

for separating objects.

2. This simple machine is made up two parts that works together. This

machine can move a load over a long distance much easier.

3. To lift a heavy object upwards we may use a which have a

wheel with a groove in it and rope that we p

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Homework Name: __

Simple Machines

The six types of simple machines are:

• inclined plane

• wedge

• screw

• lever

• pulley

• wheel and axle

1. An ax is used to chop wood. The metal part chops

through the wood, pushing it apart into two smaller

sections.

Which simple machine is found on the head of this ax?

2. The center of this seesaw is used to balance the

board with the seats. The children can easily move

up and down without much force.

The seesaw is an example of which simple machine?

3. The cap on this water bottle has a spiral shape.

When you place it on the bottle and twist, the cap

pulls itself toward the bottle.

The bottle cap is an example of which simple machine?

4. When you turn the large knob on a door, a rod on

the inside releases a latch that holds the door

closed.

It would be difficult to turn the rod, if

the knob wasn't attached to it.

The door knob and rod make up which simple machine? _______________

5. A wheel with a rope is used to hoist a flag up to

the top of a tall flagpole. This simple machine

can also be used to help lift heavy objects with

less force.

The wheel and rope make up which simple machine?

6. A ramp is used for loading this truck. A mover can pull a cart with a heavy object up the ramp. This is

much easier than lifting heavy objects into the truck.

Which simple machine is on the back of this truck?

7. What types of simple machines do you see in the picture?

The slide is ____________________

The shovel is ___________________

The broom is____________________ The screwdriver is ______________

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UNIT 9: ELECTRICITY INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC: THE HISTORY OF ELECTRICITY

Look around your house. Almost

everything that you own and use

operates on electricity. But did you

ever wonder how we discovered

electricity?

Did you know that lightning is a form of electricity?

Ben Franklin started working with electricity in the 1740's. He believed

that lightning was a flow of electricity taking place in nature. In 1752,

Benjamin Franklin who was curious about lightning did an experiment to

prove that it was electrical. He went out into a thunderstorm and tied a

metal key to the bottom of a kite and, as he suspected, electricity from

the storm clouds flowed down the string, which was wet, and he received an

electrical shock. This experiment was very dangerous, and he was lucky

that all he received was a shock, but this became one of the most

important experiments of all time.

Throughout the next hundred years, many inventors and scientists tried to

find a way to use electrical power to make light. In 1879, the Amer ican

inventor Thomas Edison was finally able to produce a reliable, long-lasting

electric light-bulb in his laboratory.

By the end of the 1880s, small electrical stations based on Edison's designs

were in a number of cities, but each station was able to power only a few

city blocks.

Today, nearly everyone is fortunate enough to have electric power at home,

school, and at work. In order to maintain this constant and reliable

resource, it is important that we use it wisely every day.

Class activity

Think about how many electrical devices you use only for your breakfast.

How many electrical machines do you use?

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THE POWER OF ELECTRICITY Before the invention of electricity, people had to make energy wherever

and whenever they needed it. Thus, they had to make wood or coal fires to

heat their homes or cook food. The invention of electricity changed all

that. People no longer had to worry about making energy for heating or cooking:

all they had to do was plug in and switch on—and the energy was there as

soon as they wanted it. What is electricity?

Electricity is a type of energy that can build up in one place or flow from

one place to another. It is the flow of moving electrons. One of the most

common ways to make electricity is by converting other energy sources,

such as coal, natural gas, and oil or solar, wind and falling water. When electricity accumulates in one place it is known as static

electricity(the word static means something that does not move);

electricity that moves from one place to another is called current

electricity. Static electricity

Static electricity often happens when you

rub things together. If you rub a balloon

against your jumper 20 or 30 times, you'll

find the balloon sticks to you. This happens

because rubbing the balloon gives it

an electric charge (a small amount of

electricity). The charge makes it stick to your

jumper like a magnet, because your jumper

gains an opposite electric charge. So your

jumper and the balloon attract one another

like the opposite ends of two magnets. Current electricity

When electrons move, they carry electrical energy from one place to

another. This is called current electricity or an electric current. Electric

currents are involved in powering all the electrical appliances that you use,

from washing machines to flashlights and from telephones to MP3 players.

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When electricity gathers in one place, it has the

potential to do something in the future. Electricity

stored in a battery is an example of electrical

potential energy. You can use the energy in the

battery to power a torch, for example. When you

switch on a torch, the battery inside begins to

supply electrical energy to the lamp, making it give

off light. Electric circuits

For an electric current to happen, there

must be a circuit. A circuit is a closed

path or loop around which an electric

current flows. A circuit is usually made by linking

electrical components together with

pieces of wire cable. When you turn the

switch on, electricity flows around the

circuit. If there is a break anywhere in

the circuit, electricity cannot flow. If

one of the wires is broken, for example,

the lamp will not light. Similarly, if the

switch is turned off, no electricity can

flow. This is why a switch is sometimes

called a circuit breaker.

Class Activity

Complete

1 is a type of energy.

2 There are two types of energy: energy and energy 3 A is a closed path around which an electric current flows.

4 A is a circuit breaker when is turned off.

5 To switch on a torch the electricity is stored in a .

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HOW ELECTRICITY MOVE IN A CIRCUIT: CONDUCTORS AND

INSULATORS.

Electricity travels easily through electrical conductors, like metals.

Materials that do not let electricity pass

through them easily are called electrical

insulators. Plastic, wood, glass and

rubber are good electrical insulators.

That is why they are used to cover

materials that carry electricity.

The plastic covering that surrounds

wires is an electrical insulator. It stops

you from getting an electrical shock.

Materials such as copper metal, iron or steel that conduct electricity (allow

it to flow freely) are called conductors.

Other materials that are sometimes used as conductors are silver, gold,

and aluminum. Copper is still the most popular material used for wires

because it is a very good conductor of electrical current and it is not so

expensive when compared to gold and silver. Aluminum and most other

metals do not conduct electricity quite as good as copper

A current of electricity is a steady

flow of electrons. When electrons move

from one place to another, round a

circuit, they carry electrical energy

from place to place like marching ants

carrying leaves. Instead of carrying

leaves, electrons carry a tiny amount of

electric charge.

Metal is used in plugs to allow

electricity to transfer from the wall

socket, through the plug, and into a

device such as a radio or TV. Conductors that let electricity flow freely are said to have a

highconductance and a low resistance; insulators that do not allow

electricity to flow are the opposite: they have a low conductance and a high

resistance.

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Name:

Conductors and Insulators

A conductor is a material that allows electricity to flow through it.

An insulator is a material that electricity cannot flow through.

To determine whether an object is a conductor or insulator, you can build a simple

ci rcuit with a battery, light bulb, and three pieces of wire.

Touch the free ends of the wire to the object you are testing. If the light bulb lights up, the

object is made from a conductor. i f it does not, the object is made from an insulator.

Complete the table. Predict whether each item is made from a material that is a conductor or

insulator. Then test each item to determine if it is made from a conductor or insulator.

Object Prediction: Conductor or Insulator? Result: Conductor or Insulator?

rubber band

penny

nickel

toothpick

key

paper clip

brass paper fastener

glass microscope slide

(your choice)

(your choice)

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CRITICAL THINKING: Energy for Life

ENERGY IS THE KEY We use a lot of energy to live. Whether we’re playing, studying or eating, energy

makes these activities possible. We also

use energy for production—to run

machines, for instance. Much of this

energy comes from fuels like oil, coal

or natural gas. These fuels are used to

make the blacktop and basketballs at

recess, as well as generate the

electricity for the lights all around you.

Think of all the energy required to

plant, grow, harvest, transport and cook

your lunch, and you can start to

understand that energy is a key to life!

NATURAL, BUT NOT FOREVER

Fuels like natural gas, oil and coal are important natural resources. They are

known as fossil fuels and take millions of years to form. We’ve used them for

hundreds of years, and they’ve powered everything from planes and trains to cars

and computers. Unfortunately, fossil fuels are non‐renewable forms of energy.

Our power plants burn them faster than nature makes them, and when they are burned, power plants create emissions harmful to the environment.

To use fossil fuels, we first need to get them out of the earth with technologies

like oil rigs, coal mines and natural gas wells. The drilling, mining and pumping of

these natural resources often requires very large operations. These procedures

result in producing the important energy we need, but they need fossil fuels

themselves to operate and can often negatively impact the land where these fuels

are found.

POWERING THE FUTURE

Fortunately, there are forms of renewable energy out there. They also come from

nature and don’t harm the environment as much as fossil fuels. Furthermore, they

aren’t consumed to produce energy, so we can use them again and again. One form

of renewable energy is solar energy. Solar energy uses solar panels, which collect

sunlight and convert it directly into electricity.

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Another form of renewable energy is wind energy. Like an extremely large

pinwheel, wind turbines have blades that rotate when the wind blows, and this

movement generates electricity. Some solar and wind energy power plants are

connected to batteries so they can supply electricity even when the sun isn’t shining

or the wind isn’t blowing.

One form of renewable energy that has been around for a very long time is

hydropower. Hydropower is energy produced by falling and running water.

Hydropower technologies can be as simple as a watermill on a stream or as complex

as a hydroelectricity dam. Hydropower is a great source of renewable energy.

THE RIGHT PLAN

Using renewable energy is a good way to reduce our dependence on fossil

fuels, though renewable energies have some negative impacts on the earth as well. Solar power plants are usually built in deserts where sunshine is reliable and strong, but the

desert land that is disrupted for the construction and operation of these power

plants is actually rich with plant and animal life.

Wind energy power plants are called wind farms and require a lot of land.

Though each turbine only takes up a small area of land, wind farms can easily have

hundreds or thousands of turbines. With that many turbines together, their

presence can easily affect birds, bats and other wildlife in the area.

Hydropower plants can generate a lot of energy and electricity, but their existence

can dramatically alter the environment around them. Many hydropower plants

use dams to create the electricity. Fish can be easily blocked by a dam and

prevented from swimming to important spawning grounds. Dams can also fail and

cause massive flooding. Also, in the event of a drought, the electricity produced

could truly be limited to a trickle!

However, by carefully planning the locations of renewable energy power plants,

their harmful impact to the planet can be minimized and their renewable and

sustainable benefits maximized.

LOOKING FORWARD

Almost everything we do requires some sort of energy. It’s important to

understand where our energy comes from, how it is produced and what

effect each type has on our environment. As technology improves, we can

balance the use of non‐renewable fossil fuels with renewable energy for a healthier

planet.

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Name: Date: 1. What do people use energy for?

A People use energy to cause massive floods. B People use energy to create more oil and coal. C People use energy to play, study, and live. D People use energy to minimize sustainable benefits from the sun.

2. What does the passage compare and contrast with fossil fuels?

A The passage compares and contrasts playing, studying, and eating with fossil

fuels. B The passage compares and contrasts coal mines and natural gas wells

with fossil fuels. C The passage compares and contrasts Washington State with fossil fuels. D The passage compares and contrasts forms of renewable energy with fossil fuels.

3. Humans use energy from several different sources. What evidence from the

passage supports this statement?

A People use energy to play, study, eat, make basketballs, and generate

electricity.

B People use energy from natural gas, oil, coal, the sun, wind, and water. C Wind turbines can affect birds, bats, and other wildlife around them. D When a dam that produces hydropower fails, it can cause massive flooding.

4. What is true of all types of energy discussed in the passage?

A They are all non-renewable. B They are all renewable. C They all have some negative impacts on the earth. D None of them has any negative impacts on the earth.

5. What is this passage mainly about?

A the importance of energy and where energy comes from B watermills, dams, and other forms of hydropower C planting, growing, harvesting, transporting, and cooking food D the different ways children play and study

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6. Read the following sentences: “Fortunately, there are forms of renewable energy

out there. They also come from nature and don’t harm the environment as much as

fossil fuels. Furthermore, they aren’t consumed to produce energy, so we can use

them again and again.” What does the word renewable mean?

A harmful to the environment B able to be used more than once C produced by falling and running water D made in the United States of America

7. Choose the answer that best completes the sentence below. Wind is a form of renewable energy; , oil is not renewable.

A for example

B particularly

C soon

D on the other hand

8. Where does hydropower come from? What effects does hydropower have on the environment?

10. The passage states that it is “important to understand where our energy

comes from, how it is produced and what effect each type has on our

environment.” Explain why understanding these things are important, using

evidence from the passage.

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Inventions and inventors:Thomas Edison

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