Elementary Science Curriculum Overview

Kindergarten through Third Grade
The science curriculum provides opportunities for students to learn science concepts through hands-on activities. Students learn to observe, compare, collect data, organize and analyze information, and communicate what they have learned. The investigations focus on physical and life science concepts.

Resources

Full Option Science System (FOSS) kits

Topics (kindergarten)

Paper, Wood or Fabric (physical science)

• How the material interacts with water
• The properties that make the material easy or difficult to cut
• Different ways to join the material
• Comparing the properties of the material to determine its best use

Trees (life science)

• Similarities and differences
• Seasonal changes
• Size, shape, texture and color of tree leaves
• Observations

Animals Two by Two (life science)

• Observe and describe the structures of a variety of common animals
• Compare structures and behaviors of animals
• Observe interactions of animals in their surroundings
• Communicate observations and comparisons

Topics (first grade)

Solids and Liquids (physical science)

• Properties of solid particles in closed bottles
• Appearance and behavior of different liquids in containers
• What happens when solids and liquids are mixed with water

New Plants (life science)

• Growth of seeds and plant development
• Development of roots on stems or bulbs
• Recording and communicating observations in words and drawings

Air and Weather (earth science)

• Observing and recording daily weather data
• Cloud types
• Effects of air on other materials such as soap bubbles, propellers and gliders

Topics (second grade)

Balance and Motion (physical science)

• Stable and unstable systems, center of gravity and two classes of motion
• Observations of balanced systems
• Making a mobile
• Observing objects in rotational and linear motion
• Recording and communicating observations

Insects (life science)

• Differences in the life cycle and behavior of insects
• Organizing and communicating observations

Pebbles, Sand and Silt (earth science)

• Sorting rocks into groups by properties including color, shape and texture
• Properties of different rocks
• Separating and grouping river rocks based on particle size
• Observing and comparing soil samples from different locations

Topics (third grade)

Magnetism and Electricity (physical science)

• Permanent magnetism, electrical circuits and electromagnetism
• Interactions of a magnet with different objects and materials
• The force of attraction between magnets and different objects
• Testing objects for the ability to conduct electricity
• Electromagnets
• Recording and communicating observations and investigations

Structures of Life (life science)

• Properties of seeds and fruits, and the structures and behavior of crayfish
• Sorting and comparing seeds, and investigating the effect of water on seeds over time
• Comparing crayfish to other animals

Earth Materials (earth science)

• Observations about rocks
• How rock materials separate and settle in water
• Separating one ingredient from a mixture
• Sorting objects according to properties, recording and comparing observations

Measurement (scientific reasoning)

• Measuring length, mass and capacity
• Recording, comparing and communicating measurements of a variety of objects

Fourth and Fifth Grades

The curriculum provides opportunities for students to learn science concepts through hands-on activities. Students learn to observe, compare, collect data, organize and analyze information, and communicate what they have learned. The investigations focus on physical, earth, life science and scientific reasoning concepts.

Topics (fourth grade)

Physics of Sound (physical science)

• Sound as a property of a vibrating object
• How sound waves travel through water, air and solids
• Comparing the ability of different things to conduct sound
• How pitch of a sound can be changed

Human Body (life science)

• Human skeletal and muscle systems
• The bones and muscles in their body
• How muscles and bones work together

Water (earth science)

• Observing and comparing water on a variety of surfaces
• Observing and describing water as a liquid and as a solid
• Evaporation and condensation
• Comparing water samples

Ideas and Inventions (scientific reasoning)

• Using techniques to see details about the world that would otherwise be difficult to observe
• Color writing, a rubbing record and carbon printing
• Reflection through the use of mirrors

Topics (fifth grade)

Mixtures and Solutions (physical science)

• Solids and liquids
• Interactions that result from experiments with solutions

Environments (life science)

• Data from cause and effect experiments and investigations with plants
• Data from cause and effect experiments and investigations with animals

Landforms (earth science)

• Using stream tables to investigate the variables that influence erosion and deposition of earth materials, and the subsequent creation of landforms
• The effects of different amounts of water on erosion
• The effects of steepness of slope on erosion
• Maps and models of different land forms

Variables (scientific reasoning)

• Relationships between independent and dependent variables, and predictions
• Conducting a controlled experiment using one variable and organizing the data gathered
• Variables that affect the outcome of an experiment