The Elementary Science Core Curriculum has been written to assist teachers and supervisors as they prepare curricula, daily instruction, and assessment for the elementary level content and skills of Standards 1, 2, 4, 6, and 7 of the New York State Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology
The elementary science program emphasizes a hands-on and minds-on approach to learning. Students learn effectively when they are actively engaged in the discovery process, often working in small groups. Experiences should provide students with opportunities to interact as directly as possible with the natural world in order to construct explanations about their world. This approach will allow students to practice problem-solving skills, develop positive science attitudes, learn new science content, and increase their scientific literacy.
• The focus is on conceptual understanding in the guide and is consistent with the approaches in the
National Science Education Standards and Benchmarks for Science Literacy: Project 2061.
• This is a guide for the preparation of elementary level curriculum, dailyinstruction, and assessment,
the beginning stage in a K–12 continuum of science education.
• This core curriculum specifically addresses only the content and skills to be tested by State
examinations.
It is hoped that the units designed using this core curriculum will prepare our students to explore the most important ideas about our physical setting and our living environment. Scientifically literate students understand the basic concepts and processes and can apply them in real life situations. The science educators throughout New York State who collaborated on the writing of this guide believe that curricula based on this guide will contribute to the scientific literacy of all students
STANDARD 1—Analysis, Inquiry, and Design
Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineeringdesign, as appropriate, to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions
STANDARD 2—Information Systems
Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies.
STANDARD 4: The Living Environment
Students will understand and apply scientific concepts, principles, and theories pertaining to the physical
setting and living environment and recognize the historical development of ideas in science.
STANDARD 6—Interconnectedness: Common Themes
Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.
STANDARD 7—Interdisciplinary Problem Solving
Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning.
