Systems  4-5

What is a system?

EALR 1:      SystemsBig Idea:      Systems (SYS)Core Content:      Complex Systems

In prior grades students learned to think systematically about how the parts of objects, plants, and animals are connected and work together. In grades 4-5 students learn that systems contain smaller (sub-) systems, and that systems are also parts of larger systems. The same ideas about systems and their parts learned in earlier grades apply to systems and subsystems. In addition, students learn about inputs and outputs and how to predict what may happen to a system if the system’s inputs are changed. The concept of a hierarchy of systems provides a conceptual bridge for students to see the connections between mechanical systems (e.g., cities) and natural systems (e.g., ecosystems).

TEACHER RESOURCES• K-5 Systems Standards: A Handbook for Learning and Te

aching Systems Thinking• 12 Living Systems Principles by Linda Booth Sweeney•  Thinking About Systems: 12 Habits of Mind by Linda

Booth Sweeney• Formative Assessment Probe "Is it a system?" 

Uncovering Student Ideas in Science, Vol. 4, pg. 81• OESD 114 Systems Resources including systems

scenarios and a systems scenario template

4-5 SYSA    Systems contain subsystems.

What parts of the computer system can you list?

How many subsystems are there?

Identify at least one of the subsystems of an object, plant, or animal (e.g., an airplane contains subsystems for propulsion, landing, and control).

4-5 SYSA

A jet plane is a system which contains many subsystems. 

How many subsystems can you name?

4-5 SYSA

4-5 SYSA

Boeing 777 jet engine   

What does this do for the airplane system?  

What would happen if this part was not working?

4-5 SYSA

The wing is a subsystem of an airplane. What would happen if this subsystem didn't work?  How do the control surfaces (flaps) affect the whole airplane system?

The landing gear is a subsystem of an airplane. What would happen if this subsystem didn't work?  How could it affect the whole airplane system?

4-5 SYSA

Boeing 777 instruments (avionics)  

How does it affect the system?

Why are there 2 sets of controls?4-5 SYSA

4-5 SYSB    A system can do things that none of its subsystems can do by themselves.

How does the video game system work if one of the subsystems is broken or missing?

4-5 SYSB

Specify how a system can do things that none of its subsystems can do by themselves (e.g., a forest ecosystem can sustain itself, while the trees, soil, plant, and animal populations cannot).

Pacific Northwest Temperate Rainforest

4-5 SYSB

Trees

PlantsAnimals

Soil

How do these subsystems work together in a forest?

4-5 SYSC Systems have inputs and outputs.  Changes in inputs may change the outputs of a system.

Describe what goes into a system (input) and what comes out of a system (output) (e.g., when making cookies, inputs include sugar, flour, eggs and chocolate chips; outputs are finished cookies).

4-5 SYSC

Bonus: Could the cookies be an input for another system?

4-5 SYSD    One defective part can cause a subsystem to malfunction, which in turn will affect the system as a whole.

Predict what might happen to a system if a part in one or more of its subsystems is missing, broken, worn out, mismatched, or misconnected (e.g., a broken toe will affect the skeletal system, which can greatly reduce a person’s ability to walk).

4-5 SYSD

Compare the two soccer players.

How does the leg injury affect his playing?

What about an arm injury?

What about asthma?

Predict what might happen to a system if a part in one or more of its subsystems is missing, broken, worn out, mismatched, or misconnected (e.g., a broken toe will affect the skeletal system, which can greatly reduce a person’s ability to walk).

4-5 SYSD

Choose a part of the pendulum system and describe the effect if it were changed, moved or missing.