Grade 3 Science

Optional Unit: Fire and Fuels

Unit Overview:

The components required to make fire are discussed, with a view to understanding how to create and extinguish fires.

Related units:

This unit could be integrated with the Properties of Matter Core Unit. Combustibility is a characteristic property.

Suggested themes:

Factors of Scientific literacy that should be emphasized:

• B2 interaction
• B10 cause-effect
• B13 energy-matter
• C1 classifying
• C3 observing and describing
• C10 predicting
• C11 controlling variables
• D1 science and technology
• E3 using equipment safely
• F1 longing to know and understand
• F5 respect for logic
• G1 interest
• G3 continuous learner

Common Essential Learnings foundational objectives which should be emphasized:

To enable students to understand and use the vocabulary, structures, and forms of expression which characterize science. (COM)

Science foundational and learning objectives:

1. Understand the components necessary for fire.
   1. Develop an operational definition of fire.
   2. Identify some common fuels.
   3. Identify oxygen as the most common substance which supports combustion of fuels.
   4. Understand the concepts of ignition and kindling temperature.
2. Describe the principles of extinguishing fires.
   1. Recognize the three components necessary for fire.
   2. Describe how to remove or reduce each component.
   3. Discuss inappropriate ways of removing or reducing components.
   4. Develop classroom guidelines to use in case of fire.
3. Discuss some uses of fire.
   1. Identify and describe uses of fire.
   2. Propose alternatives to the use of fire.