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3 - 5 Science

Many states have adopted new standards based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) because they understand that a robust science education in elementary school will pave the way for increased opportunities in middle school, high school, and college. The NGSS enable teachers to offer all students interactive science instruction that promotes analysis and interpretation of data, critical thinking, problem solving, and connections across science disciplines—with a high set of expectations for achievement in grades 3-5 (information from nextgenscience.org)

How will students learn science in the classroom?

Each year, students should be able to demonstrate greater capacity for connecting knowledge across, and between, the physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences, and engineering design. During grades 3-5, your child will begin to form deeper connections between concepts and skills previously learned in grades K–2, such as evaluating methods for collecting data, revising models based on evidence, and analyzing data to make sense of phenomena. (information from nextgenscience.org)

Upon completion of grades 3 - 5, your child should have a deeper understanding of:

  • The effects of chemical reactions, forces, and energy on the world around us;
  • The ways different organisms and the environment interact;
  • The ways the geosphere, biosphere, and hydrosphere interact; and
  • How engineering design can be a regular part of problem solving.

Grades 3 - 5