< Resources

Resources for Contexts & Concepts (Gr 3-5)

OpenSciEd instructional materials are phenomenon-based, inquiry-driven science units that engage students in explaining real-world events through observation, investigation, and evidence-based reasoning. Each unit provides teacher lesson plans, student-facing materials, hands-on investigations, discussion prompts, assessments, and background science support to help teachers facilitate student-centered sensemaking over time.

Many of the lessons in these units are inquiry-based and will only need to be adapted to grade level and assessed using NB Science skills outcomes (Investigation, Sensemaking, Communication & Responsible & Sustainable Application).

GRADE 3: OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Weather & Hazards Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 3) – Why do plants only grow well in certain places, and how can we protect them?

Habitats & Biodiversity Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 2) – What lives where?

Ecosystems & Matter Cycling Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 5) – How does a nurse log help other things live and grow?

Trait Variations Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 3) – Why do animals look and act the way they do?

GRADE 4: PROPERTIES AND USES OF EARTH MATERIALS

Earth Processes Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 4) – What causes land and things on it to change? How can we reduce the impact on humans?

Earth: Land Changing Shape Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 2) – How do wind and water change the shape of the land and what can we do about it?

Plate Tectonics & rock Cycling Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 6) – What causes Earth’s surface to change?

Matter Properties Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 5) – How can we make water healthy for all living things?

GRADE 5: LIVING AND TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Forces & Interactions Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 3) – How can we design objects to balance and move in different ways?

Energy Transfer Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 4) – Why does an object’s motion change?

Cells & Systems Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 6) – How do living things heal?

Metabolic Reactions Unit (OpenSciEd Gr 7) – How do things inside our bodies work together to make us feel the way we do?

*The ‘Let’s Talk Science’ and ‘Edumedia’ resources are available in French simply by toggling to ‘French’ in the top right corner of the website.

Remember to focus on ways to adapt these lessons, if necessary, to be more inquiry-based. Students should be observing phenomena, asking questions, and designing investigations based on what they are learning about.

GRADE 3: OUR LOCAL ENVIRONMENT

Weather Systems & Climate

Habitats, Plants & Animals

GRADE 4: PROPERTIES AND USES OF EARTH MATERIALS

The Earth’s Crust

Rocks, Minerals & Soils

GRADE 5: LIVING AND TECHNOLOGICAL SYSTEMS

Human Body Systems

Simple Machines