District 203 - World Class
Naperville Community Unit School District 203
Naperville, Illinois



Thursday, May 23, 2013
Facebook logo   Twitter logo
Photos of students
CURRICULUM
203
Home // Curriculum // K-5 Science Program

Science Philosophy

Science is a comprehensive process by which we continually refine our understanding of the universe. Scientific literacy enables us to make informed, responsible decisions that affect our daily lives.

District 203 will provide an inquiry and standards based comprehensive curriculum in life science, earth and space science, and physical science. An integral part of this curriculum is to promote an understanding of the interconnections within the sciences and the interactions among science, technology, society, and the environment.

Instruction in every science classroom will model and provide opportunities for students to participate in scientific inquiry as they experience the wonders of science. A rich variety of cognitively appropriate strategies and resources will be utilized so that all students have opportunities to experience both success and challenge.

Using inquiry implies involvement that leads to understanding. The environment in every science classroom will have students actively constructing knowledge by being engaged in observing, questioning, investigating, problem solving, predicting, evaluating, and communicating ideas.

As a result of this curriculum, instruction and environment, District 203 will graduate scientifically literate students who ask and investigate scientific questions, evaluate claims and evidence, and make responsible decisions in a rapidly changing world.

K-5 Science Overview

The K-5 Science program is Naperville District 203 is organized around three strands: Life, Earth/Space and Physical.

At the K-5 level each grade completes one unit per strand. The kits are put together in-house. The units are listed below:

 Grade  Life  Earth/Space  Physical

Umbrella Question: How does science exploration help me understand my world?

 Kindergarten Growing & Changing  Collections from Nature Constructions
 1st Collecting & Examining Life Earth & Space Patterns Magnets
    Umbrella Question: How does scientific inquiry help me interact with my world?
 2nd  Life Cycles  Rocks Sound
 3rd  Habitat Solar System  Light
 4th Human Body in Motion Watery
Earth
Matter
 5th Nature's Recyclers Earth's Changing Surface Energy 

 

Click to print this page.