Elementary Science at North Allegheny
Elementary Curriculum Overview
The 2010 science department curriculum review identified some changes that will be phased in to the NASD elementary science program through the 2014-15 school year. The goals for all elementary students are not just to teach science content, but to develop scientific literacy that will stay with them throughout their education at NA and beyond. In particular, elementary students will be given the opportunity to be exposed to the following skill sets:
A) An emphasis on developing science process skills
B) Activities that emphasize inquiry-based learning
C) Developing skills of prediction and application
D) Cultivating learning through the students' own natural curiosity
E) Learning discipline-specific content as outlined below, by grade level
Grade Level Focus
Kindergarten
The senses
Classification
First Grade
Weather
The seasons
Second Grade
Living things
Energy and motion
Third Grade
Life cycles
Sun, moon, earth system
Energy and force
Pest control
Fourth Grade
Geology
Magnetism and electricity
Classification of living things
Fifth Grade
Populations and ecosystems
Earth science
Sound and light