Science

In the earlier grades, students begin by recognizing patterns and formulating answers to questions about the world around them. 

The program emphasizes science as inquiry and technological design concepts. It builds personal knowledge from the students’ own experience and thought. Teachers engage students in active participation through the use of discovery kits developed by the teaching staff and a professional science consultant. South is fortunate to have two gardens to integrate within the units of study. 

Kindergarten Disciplinary Core Ideas

• Pushes and Pulls
• Animals, Plants, and their Environment
• Weather and Climate
• Engineering and Design

• Light and Sound
• Structure, Function, and Information Processing
• Space Systems: Patterns and Cycles
• Engineering and Design

• Structure and Properties of Matter
• Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
• Processes that Shape the Earth
• Engineering and Design

Students begin by recognizing patterns and formulating answers to questions about the world around them. At West School, the outdoor garden is an integral resource to the units of study.

3rd Grade Disciplinary Core Ideas

• Forces and Interactions
• Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
• Life Cycles and Traits
• Weather and Climate
• Engineering and Design

• Energy
• Waves and Information
• Structure, Function, and Information Processing
• Processes that Shape the Earth
• Engineering and Design

Continuing with the Next Generation Science Standards, by the end of 8th grade, students are able to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, using mathematics and computational thinking, engaging in arguments from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information; and to use these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas in of Physical Science, Life Sciences, Earth and Space Sciences, and Engineering and Design.

Our Central School 6^th grade classrooms have worked closely with the school garden and the Glencoe Community Garden to integrate the study of climate and human impact into their learning.

• Structures and Properties of Matter
• Matter & Energy in Organisms and Ecosystems
• Earth's Systems
• Space Systems: Stars & the Solar System
• Engineering and Design
• Human Impact

• Natural Selection & Adaptations
• Space systems
• Waves & Electromagnetic Radiation
• Engineering & Design
• Human Impacts

• Matter & Energy in Organisms & Ecosystems
• Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
• Natural Selection & Adaptations
• History of Earth & Earth Systems
• Structure, Function, & Information Processing
• Growth, Development, and Reproduction of Organisms
• Engineering & Design
• Human Impacts

• Structure & Properties of Matter
• Chemical Reactions
• Energy
• Forces & Interactions
• Engineering & Designs
• Human Impacts