Academic

Vocabulary
CONTENT BUILDER FOR THE PLC

SCIENCE
GRADE 5
Academic Vocabulary Analysis | Grade 5 Science

Physical Properties of Matter

5.5 Matter and energy. The student knows that matter has measurable physical properties and those properties determine how matter is classified, changed, and
used.
5.5(A) classify matter based on physical properties, including mass, magnetism, physical state (solid, liquid, and gas), relative density (sinking and floating),
solubility in water, and the ability to conduct or insulate thermal energy or electric energy

important words for concept development

standard words new to grade level previously introduced words
relative density conduct* magnetism
solubility conductivity* mass*
soluble* dense* matter
dissolve* physical state
5.5(A)
electric energy solid*
gas state of matter*
insulate* thermal energy*
liquid*

other words related to the content

evaporate* insulation* physical properties* sink*
float* particles* production* solution* substances*
ingredients*

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Academic Vocabulary Analysis | Grade 5 Science

Force, Motion, and Energy

5.6 Force, motion, and energy. The student knows that energy occurs in many forms and can be observed in cycles, patterns, and systems.
5.6(A) explore the uses of energy, including mechanical, light, thermal, electrical, and sound energy
5.6(B) demonstrate that the flow of electricity in circuits requires a complete path through which an electric current can pass and can produce light, heat, and
sound
5.6(C) demonstrate that light travels in a straight line until it strikes an object or travels through one medium to another and demonstrate that light can be
reflected such as the use of mirrors or other shiny surfaces and refracted such as the appearance of an object when observed through water

important words for concept development

standard words new to grade level previously introduced words
electrical energy* mechanical energy*
energy* sound energy*
5.6(A)
light energy* thermal energy*

circuit* electric current*

complete circuit* flow of electricity
5.6(B)
complete path* insulator*
conductor* series circuit*
reflect* light*
refract* medium (noun)
5.6(C)

other words related to the content

absorb (light)* dam* mirror* solar panels [different applications of]*
battery (+/- ends)* fuse prism* sound*
bend (light)* heat reflection* switch (noun)*
color spectrum* lens* Rube Goldberg* turbine*

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Academic Vocabulary Analysis | Grade 5 Science

Earth
5.7 Earth and space. The student knows Earth's surface is constantly changing and consists of useful resources.
5.7(A) explore the processes that led to the formation of sedimentary rocks and fossil fuels
5.7(B) recognize how landforms such as deltas, canyons, and sand dunes are the result of changes to Earths surface by wind, water, and ice
5.7(C) identify alternative energy resources such as wind, solar, hydroelectric, geothermal, and biofuels

important words for concept development

standard words new to grade level previously introduced words
fossil fuels* cementation* natural gas*
sediment* decay* oil*
5.7(A)
sedimentary rocks* deposition sediment*
erosion* weathering
canyon landform
delta* sand dune
5.7(B) deposit (deposition)* sediment*
erosion* valley*
glacier* weathering*
alternative energy* hydroelectric energy*
biofuels* solar energy*
5.7(C)
geothermal energy* wind energy*

other words related to the content

[alternative energy generators, decompose fossil fuels [types of]* ice thawing*
i.e. windmills, dams, solar panels]* demonstrate freezing* layers* water*
coal environment* generate* melting* wind*
compaction* eroded*

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Academic Vocabulary Analysis | Grade 5 Science

Weather
5.8 Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system.

important words for concept development

standard words new to grade level previously introduced words
climate atmosphere water cycle
cloud cover water vapor
related vocabulary from condensation weather
supporting standards evaporation wind direction
humidity wind speed
precipitation

other words related to the content

anemometer barometer rain gauge thermometer
average ground water runoff wind vane

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Academic Vocabulary Analysis | Grade 5 Science

Space
5.8 Earth and space. The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among the Sun, Earth, and Moon system.
5.8(C) demonstrate that Earth rotates on its axis once approximately every 24 hours causing the day/night cycle and the apparent movement of the Sun across
the sky

important words for concept development

standard words new to grade level previously introduced words
axis day/night cycle* sunrise*
rotate, rotation* sunset*
5.8(C)
shadow

other words related to the content

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Academic Vocabulary Analysis | Grade 5 Science

Organisms and Environments

5.9 Organisms and environments. The student knows that there are relationships, systems, and cycles within environments.
5.9(A) observe the way organisms live and survive in their ecosystem by interacting with the living and non-living elements
5.9(B) describe how the flow of energy derived from the Sun, used by producers to create their own food, is transferred through a food chain and food web to
consumers and decomposers

important words for concept development

standard words new to grade level previously introduced words
ecosystem* non-living
interact organism(s)*
5.9(A)
living survive

consumers* food web*

decomposers* producers*
5.9(B)
flow of energy* sun*
food chain* transfer (energy)*

other words related to the content

benefit* environment* populations* prey*
compete* needs (noun)* predator* role*

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Academic Vocabulary Analysis | Grade 5 Science

Animal Adaptations and Behaviors

5.10 Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures that help them survive within their
environments.
5.10(A) compare the structures and functions of different species that help them live and survive such as hooves on prairie animals or webbed feet in aquatic
animals
5.10(B) differentiate between inherited traits of plants and animals such as spines on a cactus or shape of a beak and learned behaviors such as an animal
learning tricks or a child riding a bicycle

important words for concept development

standard words new to grade level previously introduced words

5.10(A)

heredity* offspring*
inherited trait* predator*
5.10(B)
instinct* trait(s)*
learned behavior*

other words related to the content

adapt* function structure
characteristics* species survival*

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