Skip to main content Skip to utility navigation Skip to main navigation Skip to menu Skip to footer
Bring Science Alive! Exploring Science Practices Grade 5
Bring Science Alive!

Exploring Science Practices Grade 5

Fifth graders synthesize their learning across matter, Earth's systems, and ecosystems, building toward sophisticated explanations grounded in evidence. Students leave elementary school thinking, questioning, and talking like scientists.

What Students Will Explore

Unit 1

Living Things and Ecosystems

The TV show "Colossal Travels" visits some of the largest organisms in the world! How do these trees, animals, and fungi grow so much? Learn more by studying how organisms interact with their ecosystems!

Unit 2

Earth Systems

California's aqueducts have been drying up. Rain has been scarce for years. What is causing this drought? As an intern for the EPA, investigate California's droughts to learn how Earth's systems interact with one another.

Unit 3

Changes in Matter

Join Chef Lopez in the Pancake Test Kitchen! As her apprentices (sous chefs), you will learn about the science of pancakes.

Unit 4

Earth, the Moon, and the Stars

Astronauts, your mission is to create a training program for new cadets to prepare them for life on a space station. To prepare your training program, first study gravity and light patterns here on Earth.

Explore the Program

Experience It for Yourself

See TCI in action

Request Sample

Request access to digital samples of the student and teacher materials.

One Program. Every Resource You Need.

From an interactive digital platform to hands-on print materials and teacher tools, see everything included to help you teach and your students learn.
Science materials mockup

Student Materials

  • Night view of a coastline with a bright moon and stars in the sky; cover of a Grade 5 science journal.

    Student Journal

    The colorful, easy-to-use, print consumable Science Journals combine standards-based content and rich activities that challenge students to ask questions, investigate phenomena, and demonstrate their learning. Also available in Spanish.

Teacher Materials

  • Cover of Bring Science Alive! Exploring Science Practices Grade 5 Teachers Guide, featuring a blue-green nebula.

    Teacher's Guide

    Teacher's Guide supports everything from lesson planning to grading—step-by-step procedures, time estimates, differentiation strategies, and answer keys, ready to use offline or as a quick reference while teaching. Also available in Spanish.

  • Red cover of a TCI science picture cards book with illustrations, photographs, and maps in large italic text.

    Picture Cards

    The Picture Cards are reusable handouts for investigations that engage students in analyzing powerful images, maps, and graphs. Also available in Spanish.

  • Clear plastic storage box with purple handles, labeled Bring Science Alive! on the side, contains classroom materials.

    Materials Kit

    Bring Science Alive! comes with ready-to-use Materials Kits that support in-class investigations. Kits are thoughtfully organized for ease of use and to reduce waste. If you run low on consumable materials, order a refill kit from TCI's online store.

Reviews & Recognition

At TCI, we don't just say our programs work — we invite independent reviewers to put them to the test. Our social studies and science programs are reviewed by respected third-party organizations that analyze our resources for quality, effectiveness, and alignment with standards.

In addition to national recognition, our programs are reviewed and approved by individual states to ensure they meet specific requirements and standards. We also participate in landscape analyses that compare our offerings with those of other leading programs, so educators and districts can make informed choices.

Explore Reviews
A magnifying glass over a digital test builder screen, highlighting a text box labeled Question Info..

Ready to Bring TCI to Your District?

Whether you're exploring programs, preparing for an adoption, or ready to get a quote — our team is here to help.

Connect with a TCI Expert