Science

In the primary grades the focus of our science curriculum is to lay a strong foundation of scientific knowledge, while fostering the understanding that God is the source of all creation. Concepts covered include the earth as a planet orbiting the sun, the earth's systems, ecosystems and their interactions, energy and dynamics, as well as biology evolution, matter and its interactions. Students explore life, physical, and earth sciences through hands-on experiments, such as “Scientist of the Week” where each student has an opportunity to demonstrate their own experiment for their classmates, and STREAM (Science, Technology, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Math) activities. As a school, we focus on uniting concepts across different subject matter so that students realize that problem solving methods can be applied to a variety of situations. Performance expectations focus on understanding and applying concepts learned during instruction, not simply memorizing facts. We strive for students to become active problem solvers and learn that there are multiple solutions to everyday problems. 

Textbooks used:

• First grade: Science:  Grade 1
• Second grade: Science: Grade 2

• Make observations from different sources to construct evidence-based accounts for natural phenomena
• Recognize that our actions as a society affect the world around us
• Identify ways to demonstrate respect for the earth as God’s creation
• Understand how technology has impacted the natural world
• Construct, test, and compare designs to demonstrate that there is more than one possible solution to a problem
• Design simple tests to gather evidence to either support or refute an idea
• Identify the various factors which affect each life form, including their ability to adapt and survive
• Recognize that scientists use different methods to study the world
• Use scientific evidence to construct a stance on real-world issues
• Predict how things can change by using scientific evidence
• Demonstrate how to construct objects, using a variety of materials
• Recognize that science searches for cause and effect relationships to explain natural events