5th grade Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in 5th grade science in the Alabama Course of Study, and simple things to try at home.
Focus areas this year
- Matter and its changes, energy in food webs, and Earth's systems and the sun and stars
- Science and engineering practices: measuring, graphing and designing devices
- Engineering design: solving real problems in Alabama and beyond
Easy ways to practice science at home
- Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?”
- Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives.
- Look up how a household machine works, such as a bike gear, a lamp or a fridge.
- Have your child draw and label a diagram of something they just learned.
What each unit covers
Solid, Liquid, Gas
Matter as anything with mass and volume, how particles are arranged in solids, liquids and gases, and why materials are chosen for their properties.
Matter & Particles
All matter is made of tiny particles. How particles are arranged in solids, liquids and gases, and how heating and cooling cause melting, freezing, evaporation and condensation.
Measuring Matter
Measuring mass (grams, kilograms) and volume (milliliters, liters), comparing density, why gases compress and solids do not, and how the particle model explains it.
Solutions & Mixtures
Solutions versus mechanical mixtures, solutes and solvents, what affects dissolving, and ways to separate mixtures (filtering, evaporation, magnets, chromatography).
Changes of State
Melting, freezing, evaporation and condensation at home and outdoors, and how matter absorbs or releases thermal energy when it changes state.
Physical or Chemical?
Telling a physical change from a chemical change, spotting the signs of a new substance, and how making and throwing away everyday products affects the environment.
Energy from the Sun
Practices how plants get the materials they need for growth mostly from air and water, and how the energy in animals' food was once energy from the sun.
Protecting Resources
Practices designing and explaining solutions such as conservation, recycling and proper disposal that reduce the environmental impact of using natural resources like water, soil, energy and materials.
Sun, Stars & Shadows
Your child explains why the sun looks bigger and brighter than other stars and finds patterns in shadows, day and night, moon phases and the stars seen in each season.
Earth's Systems & Water
Your child models how two of Earth's systems interact to support life and how Earth's water is split between salt water and fresh water.
Matter Moves in Ecosystems
Your child models how matter and energy move between living things and the environment, through food chains and decomposers.
Gravity Pulls Down
Your child learns that Earth's gravity pulls everything toward the center of the planet, wherever you stand.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practicing the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Alabama report card guide.
Common questions
Turn everyday questions into investigations: “Which paper towel holds the most water?” Read a science news story together and ask what evidence it gives. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Alabama Course of Study 5th grade science units include Solid, Liquid, Gas, Matter & Particles, Measuring Matter, Solutions & Mixtures, Changes of State, Physical or Chemical?.
Free printable 5th grade science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.