Science
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Research shows that young students work well in a cooperative learning environment by actively exploring phenomena in the natural world, posing questions and seeking answers as they arise. They develop simple observation, measurement, and number sense skills as they actively participate in simple investigations. During investigations, students must have the opportunity to use tools such as magnifiers, thermometers, rulers, or balances to gather data and extend their senses. They must have ample time to talk about their observations and compare them with others. They should be encouraged to employ oral language, drawings and models to communicate results and explanations of investigations and experiments. In a cooperative learning environment, students learn that when people give different descriptions of the same thing, it is better to make new observations instead of debating who is correct. When conducting simple investigations, they must always use appropriate safety procedures, including listening skills.
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As students progress through the grade levels, their strategies for finding solutions to questions improve as they gain experience conducting simple investigations and working in small groups. They are capable of asking questions and making predictions that can be tested. Students must be encouraged to make more careful observations and measure things with increasing accuracy. During investigations, students must have the opportunity to use more advanced tools such as calculators, computers, graduated cylinders, scales, and meter sticks to gather data and extend their senses. They must keep accurate records and run enough trials to test a prediction to be confident of their results. They must have experiences that allow them to recognize patterns in data and use data to create reasonable explanations of an experiment or investigation results. They should be encouraged to employ more sophisticated language, drawings, models, charts and graphs to communicate results and explanations. Students must always use appropriate safety procedures when conducting simple investigations, including listening skills.
CMS Science Units [PDF]
Elementary teachers within the district developed the CMS Science Units to ensure students access standards-aligned instruction.
