Science Program of Study ( Grades 1-6)

Program Overview: Pages A.1 - A.4

Rationale: Page A.1

Science allows students to form an understanding of the world around them in a
way that fosters inquiry and investigation. In addition to this, elementary science
programs aim to prepare students for a rapidly changing world.

Philosophy: Pages A.1 - A.2

● Children’s curiosity provides a natural starting point for learning.
● Children’s learning builds on what they currently know and can do.
● Communication is essential for science learning.
● Confidence and self-reliance are important outcomes of learning.
● Students learn best when they are challenged and actively involved.

Program Emphasis: Pages A.2 - A.3

The emphasis of the science program of study is broken down into two topics of
emphasis: Science Inquiry and Problem solving Through Technology. Science Inquiry
focuses on finding answers to questions and gaining knowledge. It introduces the
students to the scientific method. Problem solving through technology focuses on a
variety of processes to obtain a desired result.

Program Structure: Page A.4

Each grade is broken up into Skills (focus, explore and investigate, reflect and
interpret), Attitudes and Understandings. Underneath are the General and Specific
Learner expectations. The expectations beneath the Understanding heading are the
expectations used for learning objectives and lesson planning, while Skills and Attitudes
are expectations to keep in mind throughout the year.
At the beginning of each grade there is a description of the developmental level
students should be at when learning this content. This description could be useful when
making lesson plans and choosing activities for your classroom.
Page A.4 contains an overview of the five science topics in each grade, along
with identifying whether the topic emphasis is science inquiry or problem solving
through technology.
Learner Expectations: Pages B.1 - B.34

General Outcomes (General Learner Expectations)

In every grade are a list of general outcomes labelled with the grade they
correspond to as well as which number the outcome is, ex. General expectation 2-5 is
the fifth expectation under grade 2.

We’ve chosen sample outcomes from grades 1, 3 and 6 to show the progression
of the elementary science program.

● 1-11: Describe some common living things, and identify needs of those living
things
Found on page B.5, under Topic E- Need of Animals and Plants

● 3-10: Describe the appearances and life cycles of some common animals, and
identify their adaptations to different environments.
Found on page B.15, under Topic E - Animal Life Cycles

● 6-10: Describe characteristics of trees and the interaction of trees with other
living things in the local environment
Found on page B.33, under Topic E- Trees and Forests

Samples of Specific Outcomes (Specific Learner Expectations)

The specific outcomes are numbered under each general learner outcome.
Some encompass two general outcomes however these are numbered in the same
format.

● 1-11 #6: Identify the requirements of animals to maintain life i.e. air, food, water,
shelter, space; and recognize that we must provide these for animals in our care.

● 3-10 #1: Classify a variety of animals, based on observable characteristics; e.g.,

limbs, teeth, body covering, overall shape, backbone.

● 6-10 #2: Describe kinds of plants and animals found living on, under and among
trees; and identify how trees affect and are affected by those living things.