Curriculum - Lower Elementary Science

Zoology

1.00 Description by size, appearance, characteristics of 5 kingdoms of living things:Prokaroyote, Protoctista, Fungi, Plant, Animal2.00 Comparison and differentiation of vertebrates and invertebrates, past/ present
3.00 Classification, description, and parts of invertebrates, with specimens3.10 Protozoa
3.20 Porifera
3.30 Coelenterate
3.40 Platzyheiminthes
3.50 Annelid
3.60 Arthropod
3.70 Mollusk
3.80 Echinidermata 4.00 Classification, description, external and internal parts of vertebrates4.10 Fish
4.20 Amphibian
4.30 Reptile
4.50 Bird
4.60 Mammal 5.00 Timelines, Biomes, Habitats of vertebrates5.10 Fish
5.20 Amphibian
5.30 Reptile
5.40 Bird
5.50 Mammal

Botany

1.00 Comparison of Living and Non-living
2.00 Characteristics of Plants and Animals
3.00 Comparison of Plants and Animals
4.00 Identification, type, shapes, component parts, location, and preservation4.10 Trees
4.20 Shrubs
4.30 Flowers
4.40 Plants
4.50 Leaves
4.60 Seeds 5.00 Identification within Plant Kingdom5.10 First Knowledge
5.20 Plant Stories
5.30 Question and Answer Game6.00 Life cycle of plants with gardening6.10 Soil preparation
6.20 Annuals vs Perennials
6.30 Planting/ Care7.00 Introduction to concepts and practical experiments for environmental concerns7.10 Water conservation
7.20 Energy conservation
7.20.1 Solar energy
7.30 Waste conservation7.30.1 Recycling
7.30.2 Composting

Earth Science

1.00 Astronomy1.10 Review of Universe, whole to part
1.20 Review of solar system: planet order, characteristics
1.30 Introduction to stars1.30.1 Constellations
1.30.2 Big and Little Dipper; North Star 2.00 Planet Earth2.10 Timeline of life2.10.1 Creation and types of fossils
2.10.2 Classification of rocks and minerals: sedimentary, ignateous, metamorphic2.20 Origin of earth2.20.1 Existence of theories
2.20.2 Plate tectonics
2.20.3 Pangea2.30 Definition, identification, formation of landforms2.30.1 Stresses to landforms: erosion, water, wind, earthquakes, man
2.30.2 Comparison of continents2.30.2a Biomes
2.30.2b Other comparisons (see Geography) 2.40 Definition, identification, formation of water forms2.40.1 Stresses to water forms: erosion, pollution, land development
2.40.2 Identification of oceans and major seas2.40.2a Comparisons of salt vs fresh water
2.40.2b Ocean life2.50 Vocabulary recognition of atmospheric layers
2.60 Orientation, direction, beginning mapping skills2.60.1 Review compass, N,S,E,W
2.60.2 Longitude and latitude
2.60.3 Global positioning3.00 Seasons 3.10 Cause of day/night
3.20 Cause and comparison of Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
3.30 Phases of the moon 4.00 Weather4.10 Measurements and instruments4.10.1 Temperature
4.10.2 Barometer, aerometer, thermometer, hydrometer4.20 Elements and how each affect weather4.20.1 Air, wind, heat, precipitation4.30 Classification and identification of major cloud formations
4.40 Types, causes, and safety measures for storms4.40.1 Thunderstorms
4.40.2 Hurricanes
4.40.3 Tornadoes 4.50 Description of water cycle4.50.1 Water conservation

Chemistry

1.00 Three States of Matter1.10 Definition and identification of solid ,liquid, gas1.10.1 Experiments
1.10.2 Physical properties of matter: soft, hard, rigid., etc.1.20 Forces and how they act on matter
1.30 Vocabulary of and experiments for chemical and physical changes in matter
1.40 Creation of solutions
1.50 Effect of heat on matter2.00 Definition and experiments for acid and base2.10 Testing of liquids
2.20 Testing of soil 3.00 Periodic Table of Elements3.10 Presentation of chart
3.20 Location and identification of simple elements: e.g. hydrogen, oxygen, gold4.00 Atomic Structure4.10 Vocabulary and identification of molecules and atoms4.10.1 Protons, electrons, neutrons
4.10.2 Atomic diagram

Physics

1.00 Electricity1.10 Where electricity is used
1.20 Observation of whole to part: lamp to bulb to filament
1.30Existence of circuit for electricity to flow2.00 Observation of and experiments for magnets: positive and negative components
3.00 Theory and purpose of gravity
4.00 Definition and experiments for buoyancy
5.00 Balance5.10 Scientific scale, gram scale
5.20 Making predictions and estimations 6.00 Definition of and manipulation of seven simple machines6.10 Concepts of mass, work, friction 7.00 Motion 7.10 Force, speed, direction
7.20 Principles and forces acting upon flight7.20.1Air foil, lift, wind 7.30 Inertia, friction8.00 Types and identification of light: spectrum, ultraviolet, transparent, and opaque 9.00 Sound9.10 Propagation of wave
9.20 Experiments with sound through different states of matter
9.30 Human hearing

Scientific Process and Principles

1.00 Observation1.10 The child’s ability to recognize whole/part relationships is reinforced and heightened
1.20 Skills occur through prepared classroom environment
1.30 Skills occur in natural environment: nature walks, field trips2.00 Experimentation2.10 Self-directed trials through prepared classroom environment
2.20 Group trials on random environmental topics
2.30 Annual participation in science fair project 3.00 Research3.10 Research process presented conceptually
3.20 Reviews are completed on self and teacher-selected topics throughout the year
3.30 Review completed for annual science fair project 4.00 Presentation4.10 Individual interests observed, experimented, or researched are encouraged for oral presentation during weekly share time
4.20 Oral and written presentation for projects and experiments
4.30 Group discussions regarding experimental process: cause/effect, predictions, hypotheses, conclusions, etc.