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| Curriculum Development > Elementary School K-5 > BSCS Science Tracks > Overview | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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BSCS Science Tracks Overview of the Curriculum Framework Kendall/Hunt Publishing Co., 2006
The kindergarten program, Awareness of My World, has five lessons: "Myself and My Family" (Life Science and Science in Personal Social Perspectives), "Movement" (Physical Science and Life Science), "Space and Time" (Physical Science and Earth and Space Science), "Properties of Objects and Materials" (Physical Science and Life Science) and "Science and Technology." Each lesson contains numerous hands-on activities that vary between whole-class activities, guided learning centers and exploratory (independent) learning centers. The program includes stories, poems and games that are appropriate for young learners of science. This level is based on the K-4 Standards from the National Science Education Standards and the K-2 Benchmarks from Benchmarks for Science Literacy. Level 1 Investigating Properties (Physical Science) The students use their senses in describing the properties of objects and the materials from which the objects are made. They sort and classify objects according to their properties and explain their classification systems. The module introduces the students to simple tools of science, such as rulers, magnifiers and balances. Investigating Earth Materials (Earth and Space Science) In this earth science module, students investigate rocks, soils and water and the interactions among them. The students observe the earth materials around them and compare different types of soil and rocks in terms of color, texture and reactions with water. The module includes an introduction to fossils and their formation. Investigating Animals and Their Needs (Life Science) Students explore the characteristics of guppies, snails and aquatic plants in classroom aquaria. By observing those organisms in their environment, the students learn about what organisms need to survive. They recognize that the structures of the organisms serve specific functions that enable them to survive in their environments. Then, they investigate the characteristics and behaviors of gerbils and isopods. They recognize that an animal's behavior and structures enable it to meet its needs and that animals can survive only in environments in which they can meet their needs. Testing Materials (Science and Technology) Students investigate the materials from which objects are made. They discover that all materials have properties, such as color, hardness, transparency and absorbency, and that people select a material for a certain purpose according to the properties of the material. They compare structures that are made of different materials and explain why certain structures are made of specific materials. Level 2 Investigating Position and Motion (Physical Science) Students investigate the "relative position" and motion of objects by using terms, such as "in front of," "to the left of," "in back of," "to the right of" relative to themselves and other reference objects and by measuring distances from one object to another. They represent the position of objects on self-made maps and relate their maps to those of city streets and of stores in the shopping mall. They learn that objects move in many different ways and describe the motion of objects in terms of speed and direction and relate changes in the motion of objects to a force-a push or a pull-that acts on an object. Investigating Weather (Earth and Space Science) Students use their senses and tools, such as thermometers, rain gauges and wind speed indicators, to describe the weather conditions around them. From their observations and data, students identify patterns, such as seasonal changes, and changes in the weather over time. They use their data to compare changes in the weather from day to day. Investigating Plants (Life Science) Students plant bean seeds in plastic bag "greenhouses" and observe the growth of the bean plants. The students practice the skills of inquiry by setting up and monitoring controlled experiments about the needs of bean plants and develop skills such as observing, recording, measuring, comparing and analyzing. Students keep journals of plant growth and development and investigate the structures of plants and seeds and the functions of each structure. They propagate additional plants from various plant parts and observe the plants' growth and development. Designing Sound Systems (Science and Technology) Students explore and compare various sound systems in "sound centers" by striking, plucking and blowing through objects. They describe and record their explanations of how the systems produce sound. They observe sounds at home and in the neighborhood and describe and compare how those sounds are produced. Students investigate ways to change pitch and volume by changing something in a sound system. They develop a musical instrument using simple equipment and tools and then describe how their system "makes music." Level 3 Investigating Electrical Systems (Physical Science) In this module, students work with batteries, wires, and bulbs, simple motors and switches to learn about the flow of electricity. They create complete and incomplete circuits and explore multiple ways to get a bulb to light and a motor to run. The module also includes investigations of the ability of materials to conduct electricity or to insulate from such conduction. Investigating Objects in the Sky (Earth and Space Science) Students explore and describe the position, appearance, and motion (or apparent motion) of objects in the sky, specifically the Moon, the Sun, and the stars. They use their s to determine the changing position of the Sun in the daytime sky and use direct observations to describe the changing position of the Moon during the day and at night and of the stars in the nighttime sky. Students also observe that the Moon appears to change its shape every day in a repeating pattern that takes approximately one month. Investigating Life Cycles (Life Science) Students develop the concept of a life cycle by observing, describing and comparing the growth and development of four organisms: sweet peas, brine shrimp, darkling beetles and painted lady butterflies. They describe the similarities and differences in the stages through which the organisms progress and then compare these stages with the human life cycle. Through a research project, they learn about the life cycles of many organisms and discuss the difference between a life span of one organism (from birth to death) and the life cycle of the species that continues from one generation to the next. Designing Structures (Science and Technology) This module emphasizes the processes of technological design as students investigate the size, shape and strength of various structures. Students determine what shapes make a structure strong and steady and identify the design elements of structures they find in their local environment. Students learn that changing the shape of a material can affect its strength and that joining materials together in certain ways does so as well. Level 4 Investigating Changing Properties (Physical Science) Students observe the properties of five household substances-alum, salt, cornstarch, baking soda and talcum powder-and investigate changes in the properties of those substances as they react with water, vinegar, red cabbage juice and iodine. Because students often think of chemical reactions as "magic," this module helps students build an understanding that chemicals undergo predictable changes that can be controlled. Investigating the Changing Earth (Earth and Space Science) This module continues students' investigations of earth materials-soils, rocks, and water-that began in Level 1. In this module, students investigate changes on the surface of Earth due to weathering and erosion. They learn about changes in land forms over time because of the interactions among soils, rocks, water and wind. Students construct and use stream tables to model the flow of water over Earth's surface. They describe sudden changes in Earth's surface due to volcanic eruptions, landslides, earthquakes and flooding and compare those with the slow changes due to weathering and erosion. Investigating Ecosystems (Life Science) Students explore ecosystems in their local environment, both within the classroom and out-of-doors. Students focus on the interactions between living and nonliving things in natural and controlled environments. They explore food webs within ecosystems; describe the relationships among producers, consumers and decomposers in a variety of ecosystems and explain the energy flow from one organism to another. Students go on an "ecosystem adventure" via videotape and explore the living and nonliving components of nine ecosystems, from a desert to the Arctic tundra. Solving Pollution Problems (Science and Technology) Students investigate two types of pollution problems, one personal and one environmental. First, students investigate the effects on the respiratory system of cigarette smoking. Second, students investigate some causes of air pollution in the environment, explore the harmful effects of air pollution on the respiratory system and propose ways that our society might reduce air pollution, improve air quality and thereby promote a healthy environment. Level 5 Investigating Heat and Changes in Materials (Physical Science) Students explore the changes of matter between solid, liquid and gas by investigating the changes of state of water as it melts, freezes, condenses and evaporates. Students recognize that these changes do not occur without the addition or removal of heat. Students become aware that heat transfers from one object to another, and that this conduction can cause a change in a material state. Investigating Weather Systems (Earth and Space Science) Students investigate weather by exploring the atmospheric systems and interactions that result in "weather." They begin by exploring the angle of sunlight that hits Earth's surface and relating differential heating to changes in weather conditions around the world. Students observe, measure and record local weather conditions by using thermometers, rain gauges and barometers. Students identify and describe weather patterns and determine some causes, such as proximity to water and altitude, for differences in weather conditions around the world. Investigating Human Systems (Life Science) Students investigate three systems of the body that are connected with physical fitness: the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system and the musculoskeletal system. They explore how those systems change as a person exercises and becomes more fit. Students examine ads that promise "instant fitness" and identify possible misinformation and unsubstantiated claims. Designing Environmental Solutions (Science and Technology) Students examine possible solutions to environmental problems, such as water pollution from oil spills, solid waste and destruction of wildlife habitat. Students evaluate proposed solutions to such problems by describing possible solutions and evaluating the risks and benefits of each possible solution. Students become acquainted with the constraints and trade-offs involved in solving environmental problems by investigating a local environmental problem and proposing possible solutions.
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