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Science Overview 6-8

Science Overview 6-8

Science Philosophy

 

 

District 203 believes in a student-centered environment that will spark imagination and curiosity through inquiry-driven investigations and inspire critical interpretation of science information.

Students will actively participate in science and engineering practices to understand the core ideas and connections between physical, Earth and space, and life science and to understand, use, and interpret scientific explanations of natural phenomena.

Students will be empowered to draw, share, and defend conclusions based on evidence and design solutions that can be applied to the world around them.



 
The Three Dimensions of Science Learning

Within the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), there are three distinct and equally important dimensions to learning science—Science and Engineering Practices, Crosscutting Concepts, and Disciplinary Core Ideas. These dimensions are combined to form each standard—or performance expectation—and each dimension works with the other two to help students build a cohesive understanding of science over time. 

 

6-8 Science Overview

Below is the progression of learning for science in District 203 for junior high.

Science & Engineering Practices
  • Asking Questions & Defining Problems     
  • Developing & Using Models
  • Planning and Carrying Out Investigations
  • Using Mathematical & Computational Thinking
  • Constructing Explanations & Designing Solutions Engaging in Argument from Evidence
  • Obtaining, Evaluating, & Communicating Information
Timeframe & Connections 6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade
Crosscutting Concepts
Systems & System Models
Energy & Matter
Stability & Change
Scale, Proportion, & Quantity
Structure & Function 
Structure & Function
Patterns
Cause & Effect 
Trimester 1
Disciplinary
Core Ideas 
  • Weather & Climate
  • Land, Water, and Human Interactions
  • Astronomy
  • Evidence of Evolution
  • Principles of Evolution
  • Technology and Evolution
Trimester 2
Disciplinary
Core Ideas 
  • Geological Processes
  • Chemistry
  • Genetics and Heredity
  • Thermal Energy
  • Waves
Trimester 3
Disciplinary
Core Ideas 
  • Ecology
  • Forces, Motion, and Energy
  • Cells-Biochemistry
  • Foreces and FIelds
  • Earth's Resources