In the afternoons, we will be studying topics from the three sciences: physical, earth, and life sciences. Each topic is taught through hands-on activities and science experiments are a great opportunity for studnets to increase their vocabulary. We also integrate our science topics into other content areas such as reading and writing. First Grade Circuits on Tuesdays from 1:15pm to 2:15pm rotates between Science or Social Studies topics. The goal of science education is to promote science literacy and provide students opportunities to practice and form those habits of the mind associated with critical and creative thinking, problem solving, and informed decision making. The science core curriculum emphasizes: - providing opportunities for active, engaging, student-centered learning - exploring science concepts and processes through hands-on and minds-on activities - applying previously learned concepts - reflecting critically on the validity and accuracy of scientific evidence - presenting science concepts in engaging, relevant, and meaningful contexts - providing opportunities to use scientific process skills such as observing, classifying, measuring, collecting, and interpreting data, controlling variables, inferring, analyzing, and communicating - using a variety of instructional materials, including lab equipment, print and electronic material, multimedia, and internet resources - having equitable access and success for all children Our kit-based science curriculum promotes the goals of science literacy by providing the tools necessary for students to engage in an activity-based, intellectually challenging program. Students learn the processes and techniques of science by doing them. The adopted science kits offer a balanced science curriculum with meaningful integrations with math, literacy, and technology. Units of study include: Physical - Solids and Liquids (1st Grade) - Balance and Motion (2nd Grade) Earth - Weather (1st Grade) - Soils (2nd Grade) Life - Insects (1st Grade) - Plant Growth and Development (2nd Grade) Health - Dental Health (1st Grade) - HeartPower (American Heart Association) - (2nd Grade) - Here's Looking at You 2000 (drug education and prevention) (1st & 2nd Grade) |
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| Science Cupertino Union School District Highlights of the Core Subjects (Revised July 2002) |