Upper Elementary Curriculum (Ages 9-12)



Montessori Upper Elementary Curriculum (Fourth–Sixth Grade)
The goal of Montessori education is to cultivate the child’s own desire to learn. Maria Montessori believed that no human being is educated by another person. Rather, the child experiences intense periods of learning based on the prepared environment and the child’s interest combined with a capacity to learn. “The hand is the chief teacher of the child,” and so learning is driven by hands-on, conceptual activity. Further, concepts are presented from the “whole to part” perspective, working with natural order.
In the upper elementary classroom (fourth through sixth grade, or ages nine to 12), content is not presented in “course subject” form; instead, ideas and concepts are explored across the breadth and to the depth demanded by the child. For example, flowers are not just observed in books or through the window. The flower (possibly cultivated by the child) is brought into the environment, touched, named, identified by parts, compared and contrasted with other plants (temporally and historically), reviewed within its life cycle, located in the world, etc. Thus, education is more about experiencing and relationships than dissemination of isolated facts from a pre-selected course of study. The senses are engaged whenever possible, aiding in the child’s natural capacity to learn.
In the natural order of development, the child is now more capable of understanding the abstract and visionary elements of life. Thus, in the upper elementary, the child is further transitioning from concrete to abstract appreciation of life. The educational process continues to follow the child through its inherent flexibility and adaptability. The teacher remains the facilitator or guide, assessing and then challenging the child’s natural curiosity.
Social development takes on a more prominent development at this age. Individual morals and values are further established, particularly within the framework of peers. The sense of self is expanded beyond personal experience. Abstract experiencing through literature, arts, etc. further develops and can modify the child’s sense of self. Decision-making skills and problem-solving skills are self-tested, and success is qualified as learning from both the positive and negative experiences of life.
Specific Objectives for Upper Elementary
Our upper elementary (fourth through sixth grade) curriculum includes language arts, math, science and history objectives. Extra-curricular offerings including P.E., Spanish, art, computer technology and music are also incorporated for all students.
- 1.00 Landforms
- 1.10 Advanced definition, identification, formation
- 1.20 Stresses to landforms: erosion, water, wind, earthquakes, man
- 1.30 Comparison of continents
- 1.30.1 Biomes: grasslands, tundra, desert, rainforest
- 1.30.2 Geographic comparisons
- 2.00 Water forms
- 2.10 Advanced definition, identification, formation
- 2.20 Stresses to water forms: erosion, pollution, land development
- 2.30 Review of oceans and major seas
- 3.00 Map skills
- 3.10 Topography
- 3.20 Cartography
- 3.30 Global positioning
- 3.40 Interpreting maps, charts, and graphs
- 1.00 Fundamental concepts: defines and identifies point, surface, solid, line
- 2.00 Plane geometry
- 2.10 Lines: define, identify, and construct
- 2.10.1 Straight, curved, horizontal, vertical, oblique, perpendicular
- 2.10.2 Line, ray, and line segment
- 2.10.3 Parallel, convergent, and divergent
- 2.20 Angles: Define, identify, and construct
- 2.20.1 Right, straight, acute, obtuse, reflex, whole
- 2.20.2 Adjacent, vertical, complementary and supplementary
- 2.20.3 Vertical angles that are equal
- 2.20.4 Sizes of angles
- 2.20.5 Convex and reflex angles
- 2.30 Exploration of three straight lines
- 2.30.1 Alternate exterior, alternate interior, interior angles on
- the same transversal and corresponding angles
- 2.30.2 Parallel lines cut by a transversal
- 2.30.2a Alternate lines are equal
- 2.30.2b Corresponding angles are equal
- 2.30.2c Exterior or interior angles on the same side as the transversal are supplementary
- 2.40 Correctly measures using ruler, protractor
- 2.10 Lines: define, identify, and construct
- 3.00 Geometric Solids
- 3.10 Defines and identifies: ellipsoid, ovoid, sphere, cylinder, pyramid,
- rectangular prism, triangular prism
- 3.20 Measures volume of simple solids
- 3.10 Defines and identifies: ellipsoid, ovoid, sphere, cylinder, pyramid,
- 4.00 Defines and identifies congruent, similar, and equivalent figures
- 5.00 Properties of circles
- 5.10 Defines and identifies: center, radius, diameter, circumference
- 5.20 Defines and identifies: are, chord, segment, sector, annulus
- 5.30 Understands relationship to a straight line: exterior/tangent/secant
- 5.40 Understands intersecting circles, sets, etc.
- 6.00 Area and properties of polygons
- 6.10 Triangles: equilateral, right, isosceles
- 6.20 Squares, rectangles, parallelograms, rhombus, trapezoid
- 6.30 Regular polygon
- 6.40 Recognizes symmetry, mirror, flip, rotation, etc.
- 7.00 Defines and understands Pythagorean Theory
- 7.10 Euclid on Pythagorean
Specific Objectives for Upper Elementary History
Fundamental Needs of Man
- 1.00 Review of the material needs of man
- 2.00 Review of the spiritual needs of man
Natural History
- 1.00 Review Timeline of Life
- 1.10 Paleozoic
- 1.20 Mesozoic
- 1.30 Cenozoic
- 1.40 Neozoic
Cultural History: Prehistory
- 1.00 Lower Paleolithic Period
- 1.10 First Interglacial Period
- 1.10.1 Most of earth covered with ice
- 1.10.2 Man is relative weak animal: no claws, tusks, or horns
- 1.10.3 Man possessed intelligence, imagination, and reflection
- 1.10.4 Man found fire, couldn’t make it
- 1.20 Second Interglacial Period
- 1.20.1 Man hunted and fished
- 1.20.2 Simple tool: flint stone
- 1.20.3 Mammals: rhino, elephants, hippopotamus, and saber tooth tiger
- 2.00 Middle Paleolithic Period
- 2.10 Nomadic existence as hunters
- 2.20 Preference for living: open or caves
- 2.30 Hunted big animals
- 2.40 No evidence of paintings or drawings
- 2.50 Neanderthal appears
- 2.60 Animal skins scraped
- 2.70 Lived by hunting and fishing
- 2.80 Wooly mammoths and cave bears
- 2.90 Burned the dead: rituals
- 3.00 Upper Paleolithic Period
- 3.10 Homo Sapiens arrive
- 3.20 Similar in appearance to us today
- 3.30 Lived in caves; rock shelters
- 3.40 Cave art found in Spain and France
- 3.50 Fine stone tools; hand axes, stone knives, needles from bone
- 3.60 Women adorned themselves with art objects
- 3.70 Cultivated grains; lived in huts
- 3.80 Reindeer most prevalent animal
- 4.00 Mesolithic Period
- 4.10 Period between Paleolithic hunters and farmers of the Neolithic Age
- 5.00 Neolithic Period
- 5.10 Man changed from hunting to agriculture
- 5.20 Women dedicated to domestic chores and care of children
- 5.30 Cultivated grain, fruits, and vegetables
- 5.40 First villages appear
- 5.50 Domesticated animals
- 5.60 Division of labor became more specialized
- 6.00 Aneolithic Period
- 6.10 Age of metals
- 6.20 Age of great civilizations
Cultural History: Written
- 1.00 Study of Civilizations
- 1.10 Aztec, Mayan, Incan, Indian, Chinese, Roman, Egyptian, Sumerian, Babylonian, Hebrew, Crete, Phoenician, Assyrian
- 2.00 Migration
- 2.10 Growth of cultures
- 3.00 American and U.S. History *
- 3.10 American Aborigines
- 3.10.1 Bering Strait and migration of people into South America
- 3.10.2 Basic information on stone-age people
- 3.20 Native American Life
- 3.20.1 Display a map.
- 3.20.2 Illustrate lifestyles of native Americans of the Northwest,
- plains, desert, and woodlands
- 3.20.2a Natural environment
- 3.20.2b Different Native American cultures
- 3.30 Exploration: European explorations
- 3.30.1 Portugal: Dias, V. de Gama, Vespucci, Cabral
- 3.30.2 Spain: Columbus, de Balboa, P. de Leon, Cortez, Magellan, Pizarro, De Soto, Coronado
- 3.30.3 France: Verrazano, Cartier, S. de Champlain, Joliet, Marquette, La Salle
- 3.30.4 Holland: Hudson
- 3.30.5 Impact of European explorers on Native Americans
- 3.40 Colonial
- 3.40.1 European impact and influences, trade routes
- 3.40.2 Types of government organization in various regions
- 3.40.3 Famous figures
- 3.40.4 Significance of Jamestown as first permanent settlement: economics, government, society, leadership, slavery
- 3.40.5 Cause and effect of French and Indian War
- 3.50 New Nation
- 3.50.1 Revolutionary War: Causes, pivotal events, pivotal groups, famous leaders, famous writings & documents
- 3.50.1a Contributions of individuals in the establishment of USA: Washington, Jefferson, Hamilton, Franklin, etc.
- 3.50.1b Major aspects of the Constitutional Convention
- 3.50.1c Major concepts of the US Constitution
- 3.50.1d Bill of Rights: significance then and today
- 3.50.2 War of 1812
- 3.50.2a Monroe Doctrine
- 3.50.3 Lewis and Clark expedition; Daniel Boone; Zebulon Pike
- 3.50.4 Northwest Territory: Trails and gold rush
- 3.50.5 Louisiana Purchase: Expanding boundaries
- 3.50.6 Slavery
- 3.50.7 Technological changes in 1800’s
- 3.50.1 Revolutionary War: Causes, pivotal events, pivotal groups, famous leaders, famous writings & documents
- 3.60 Reform and Reconstruction
- 3.60.1 Civil War 1861: Causes, significance, battles, famous figures
- 3.60.2 Lincoln: candidacy, presidency, Gettysburg Address, Emancipation Proclamation
- 3.60.3 Discuss major inventions / Industrial Age
- 3.60.4 Famous figures (Homer, Dickerson, Ford, etc.)
- 3.60.5 Nation development: 48 states by 1904
- 3.60.5a Economic changes, political changes, geographical changes, social & cultural changes: famous figures
- 3.60.6 Spanish – American War
- 3.70 World Power
- 3.70.1 WWI: 1914: Causes, impact of war on US, famous events, famous figures, advances in warfare technology
- 3.70.2 Montessori to U.S. 1912, San Francisco
- 3.70.3 Major technological innovations and effect on society: transportation, communication, innovations
- 3.70.4 Effect of 16th-19th Amendments
- 3.70.5 Continued US growth: population shifts, cities, industries, immigration
- 3.70.6 Great Depression: cause and effects, New Deal
- 3.70.7 WWII: 1941: Causes, key political leaders, military strategies and campaigns, impact on US culture
- 3.70.8 United Nations & Post WWII: cultural impact, famous events, famous figures
- 3.70.9 Vietnam: Social/cultural implications on US, famous figures, famous events
- 3.70.10 Cold War: Famous figures, social & cultural changes, space race, Civil Rights Movement
- 3.80 Global society
- 3.10 American Aborigines
- 4.00 History of mathematics
- 5.00 History of language
- 6.00 History of geometry
- 7.00 Representing time
- 7.10 Classroom diary/ schedules
- 7.20 Home schedules
- 7.30 Arrangement of days of year
- 7.40 Subdivisions of the year
- 7.50 Personal timelines
- 7.60 BC/AD
- 7.70 Clock/time
*Note: These are highlighted events in American History. True to Montessori, students are encouraged to branch from these events for research and reporting, always keeping in focus the impact of history on self, our state, our nation, and the world. Alabama history is addressed within the scope and sequence of US History, with an ongoing awareness of what was happening in Alabama relative to national and world history.
Specific Objectives for Upper Elementary Language Arts
Listening and Speaking Skills
- 1.00 Receptive skills
- 1.10 Listens to others with eye contact and positive body language demonstrating respect for others
- 1.20 Follows verbal directions
- 1.30 Blocks out extraneous noise/conversations and maintains work focus
- 1.40 Can synthesize material and record important facts or concepts in note-taking form
- 2.00 Speaking skills
- 2.10 Speaks publicly before a small group, communicating ideas effectively
- 2.10.1 Informative presentation
- 2.10.2 Persuasive presentation
- 2.10.3 Distinguishes between feelings, emotional, and rational information
- 2.30.4 Participates in reports, oral presentations, drama, debates, etc.
- 2.10 Speaks publicly before a small group, communicating ideas effectively
Comprehension
- 1.00 Comprehension
- 1.10 Sequences events in a story by beginning, middle, an end
- 1.20 Reads and answers comprehension questions on grade level with > 80% accuracy
- 1.30 Determines fact or opinion in statements
- 1.40 Determines cause and effect
- 1.50 Makes predictions, draws inferences, and conclusions from what is read
- 2.00 Combined tasks
- 2.10 Works independently to complete a task by following written directions
- 2.20 Reads for pleasure *
- 2.20.1 Defines and identifies: legends; myths; fairy tales; biographies; autobiographies, fiction; non-fiction
- 2.30 Participates in Jr. Great Books reading and Literature Discussion Circles
Vocabulary
- 1.00 Word Study
- 1.10 Defines and creates compound words, contractions
- 1.20 Defines and identifies: root word, suffixes, and prefixes
- 1.30 Defines and applies examples: Antonyms, anonyms, synonyms, homonyms, similes, metaphors
- 1.40 Uses reference texts appropriately
- 1.40.1 Dictionary: locates words, parts of speech, definitions using guide words; identifies etymology of words
- 1.40.2 Thesaurus: locates synonyms
- 1.40.3 Encyclopedia: locates information an a topic
- 1.40.4 Atlas
- 1.40.5 Almanac
- 1.40.6 Telephone book
- 1.40.7 Uses computer card catalog or Dewey decimal system in library
- 1.50 Classifies vocabulary terms and creates a chart
Spelling Skills
- 1.00 Uses spelling strategies to accurately spell words
- 2.00 Spells words at grade level using knowledge of spelling rules and patterns
- 3.00 Studies for spelling tests and demonstrates practical life test-taking skills
Grammar
- 1.00 Defines parts of speech and identifies each part within a sentence:
- 1.10 Noun
- 1.10.1 Proper and common
- 1.10.2 Concrete, abstract, collective, predicate nouns, masculine and feminine, possessive, compound, plural
- 1.10.3 Article/noun agreement
- 1.20 Verb
- 1.20.1 Action verbs: Visible and mental actions, transitive and intransitive
- 1.20.2 Linking verbs
- 1.20.3 Helping verbs and verb phrases
- 1.20.4 Verbals: Participles, gerunds, and infinitives
- 1.30 Adjectives
- 1.30.1 Articles as adjectives
- 1.30.2 Nouns as adjectives
- 1.30.3 Proper adjectives
- 1.30.4 Degrees of comparison
- 1.30.5 Predicate adjectives
- 1.40 Adverbs
- 1.40.1 Modifying adverbs
- 1.40.2 Adverbs with adjectives
- 1.40.3 Adverbs with adverbs
- 1.50 Pronouns
- 1.50.1 Personal, antecedents, agreement, nominative, objective, possessive, reflexive intensive, demonstrative, interrogative, indefinite
- 1.50.2 Who/whoever; whom/whomever
- 1.60 Conjunctions: coordinating, correlative, subordinating
- 1.70 Others: interjections, prepositions, and prepositional phrases
- 1.10 Noun
- 2.00 Locates within a sentence: subject; predicate; direct object
- 2.10 Complete, simple, compound, hidden subjects
- 2.20 Verb tenses and conjugation: simple, principle parts, compound, perfect, progressive tenses
- 3.00 Clauses, phrases, and sentences
- 3.10 Prepositional, appositive, and verbal phrases
- 3.20 Independent, subordinate, adjective, adverb, and noun clauses
- 3.30 Simple, compound, complex, compound/complex
- 3.40 Declarative, interrogative, imperative, and exclamatory sentences
- 4.00 Punctuation
- 4.10 Correctly utilizes hyphen, colon, semi-colon, and quotation marks
Writing Skills
- 1.00 Written words
- 1.10 Writes legibly in cursive (slant, spacing, letter formation)
- 1.20 Types using both hands; approximates proper finger placement
- 1.30 Understands function and correct use of underline and italics
- 1.40 Utilizes formatting including font and justification
- 1.50 Writes for self (journal) as well as for others
- 2.00 Writing process
- 2.10 Prewrite (making notes, generating a web, creating an outline)
- 2.20 Draft (handwritten process writing on lined paper, skipping lines)
- 2.30 Revising (intended audience, clarity, word choice, peer conferencing)
- 2.40 Editing (correcting grammar, spelling, punctuation; use of common
- editing marks)
- 2.50 Publishing (typing and formatting work for publication)
- 2.50.1 Self-published class anthologies
- 2.50.2 Submitting work for publication
- 3.00 Modes and forms of writing
- 3.10 Narrative (first and third person narratives)
- 3.20 Descriptive (in isolation and as a component of other writing)
- 3.30 Persuasive
- 3.40 Expository (research reports)
- 3.50 Essays (three and five paragraph formats)
- 3.60 Book reports
- 3.70 Poetry (acrostic, haiku, cinquain, sonnet, etc.)
- 3.80 Letter format (friendly and business letters)
- 4.00 Conventions of formal writing
- 4.10 Capitalizes correctly
- 4.20 Utilizes punctuation correctly: end marks; commas; quotation marks;
- colons; semicolons; hyphens; abbreviations; apostrophes
- 4.30 Applies grammar skills to writing
- 4.40 Applies spelling skills to writing
* Reading instruction is accomplished through read-aloud, self-selection, and by assignment for group discussion work. Reading spans the gamut from short prose, poetry, media, SRA, Barnell-Loft, chapter books, Junior Great Books, Newberry Books, and classics.
Numeration
- 1.00 Counts sequentially to any value, given any pattern or sequence
- 2.00 Knows place value concepts through billions
- 2.10 Writes number in expanded notation
- 2.20 Writes number through billions using commas correctly
- 2.30 Writes number in words
- 2.40 Identifies place value in various numbers
- 2.50 Compares numbers using >, <, =
- 3.00 Classification
- 3.10 Identifies ordinal numbers (first – “n”thieth)
- 3.20 Identifies Roman numerals to 1000
- 4.00 Order and sequencing
- 4.10 Understands positive and negative numbers and number line
- 4.20 Sequences from least to greatest, numbers to one billion
- 4.30 Sequences decimals from least to greatest
- 4.40 Sequences fractions from least to greatest
- 4.50 Finds missing numbers using multiples or knowledge of number relationships
- 4.60 Recognizes and identifies patterns and sequences
- 4.60.1 Can fill in an unidentified number when given a sequence
- 5.00 Understands and applies operations (+, – ) on a numberline
- 6.00 Rounds numbers to any identified place value
Addition
- 1.00 Memorizes addition facts through 18
- 2.00 Adds numbers in columns
- 2.10 With and without regrouping (static and dynamic)
- 2.20 Understands concept of regrouping in addition
- 2.30 Maintains correct place value for money and decimals
- 3.00 Adds numbers in order presented horizontally
- 3.10 Converts to a vertical orientation, maintaining place value
- 4.00 Adds fractions
- 4.10 Equivalent
- 4.20 Proper and improper
- 4.30 Converted to decimals
- 4.40 Converted to percentages
- 5.00 Adds positive and negative numbers
Subtraction
- 1.00 Memorizes subtraction facts through 18
- 2.00 Subtracts numbers in columns
- 2.10 With and without regrouping (static and dynamic)
- 2.20 Understands concept of regrouping in subtraction
- 2.30 Maintains correct place value for money and decimals
- 3.00 Subtracts fractions
- 3.10 Equivalent
- 3.20 Proper and improper
- 3.30 Converted to decimals
- 3.40 Converted to percentages
- 4.00 Subtracts positive and negative numbers
Multiplication
- 1.00 Memorizes multiplication facts through 12
- 2.00 Multiplies with two and three digit multipliers
- 3.00 Moves decimal point appropriately to maintain correct place value
- 4.00 Multiplies fractions
- 4.10 Calculates least common multiple
- 4.20 Equivalent fractions
- 4.30 Converts proper and improper fractions
- 4.40 Converts fractions to decimals and percentages
- 5.00 Multiplies positive and negative numbers
- 6.00 Factors numbers
- 6.10 Understands prime numbers
- 6.20 Understands prime factorization
- 6.30 Understands composite numbers
- 6.40 Calculates greatest common factor
Division
- 1.00 Memorizes division facts through 12
- 2.00 Performs long division without materials
- 3.00 Identifies remainders as integer and in decimal notation
- 4.00 Divides fractions
- 4.10 Equivalent
- 4.20 Proper and improper
- 4.30 Converted to decimal
Elements Across Operations
- 1.00 Understands properties of zero for +, -, x, and
- 2.00 Understands properties of one for +, -, x, and
- 3.00 Conserves numbers
- 4.00 Averages numbers
- 5.00 Solves > and < equations with numbers to one billion 6.00 Solves > and < equations with fractions and percentages
- 7.00 Understands and illustrates concepts of commutative, associative,
- and distributive properties
- 8.00 Follows orders of operations with parentheses
Measurement
- 1.00 Understands and applies English and metric measurements
- 2.00 Finds the perimeter of rectangles and other figures
- 3.00 Finds the area of rectangles and other figures
- 4.00 Finds the volume of a rectangle with a formula
- 5.00 Measures in capacity: teaspoon, tablespoon, cup, pint, quart, gallon
- 6.00 Solves simple conversion problems with weight, capacity, and length
- 7.00 Estimates
- 7.10 Length, width, height, and weight
- 7.20 Quantity and amounts
Word Problems
- 1.00 Solves multi-step word problems
- 2.00 Solves word problems with all four operations, fractions, time, and money
- 3.00 Makes up word problems with all four operations
Squaring
- 1.00 Squares a number
- 2.00 Cubes a number
- 3.00 Finds the square root of a number with and without materials
Fractions and Decimals
- 1.00 Reads, writes, and compares fractions and decimals
- 2.00 Coverts between fractions, decimals, and percentages for all operations
Ratios
- 1.00 Defines and identifies ratios
- 2.00 Introduction to analogies through ratio
Exponents
- 1.00 Defines exponents
- 2.00 Begins operations with “n” and the powers of 10
Charts and Graphs
- 1.00 Reads and understands a chart, bar or circle graph
- 2.00 Creates charts and graphs from nominal data
- 3.00 Works with “x” and “y” coordinate graphs
- 4.00 Reads and interprets tables
Higher Level Skills
- 1.00 Determines probability through dice or spinner games
- 2.00 Pre-Algebra skills
- 2.10 Understands order of operations
- 2.20 Solves problems with parentheses
- 3.00 Algebra skills
- 3.10 Solves for “x”
Zoology
- 1.00 Five Kingdoms of Living Things: monera, protista, fungi, plant, animal
- 1.10 Review of description by size, appearance, characteristics
- 1.20 Comparison and contrast across kingdoms and over time
- 1.20.1 Cell organization, mode of nutrition, movement, number of cells
- 1.20.2 Review of life cycle per living thing
- 1.20.3 Discuss issues of extinction
- 1.30 Zoological classification including Chinese Box
- 2.00 Cell
- 2.10 Characteristics of life: nutrition, respiration, absorption, excretion
- 2.20 Comparison of plant and animal cells
- 2.30 Cell structure and function: membrane, cytoplasm, nucleus, nucleolus, endoplasmic reticulum, nuclear membrane, ribosome, Golgi apparatus, chromatin, lysosomes, mitochondria, vacuole, chloroplasts, centriole, cytoskeleton, microtubule
- 3.00 Vital Functions of Animals
- 3.10 Classification and differentiation of chordate and non-chordate animals
- 3.20 Identification, comparison, and differentiation
- 3.20.1 Nutrition
- 3.20.2 Respiration
- 3.20.3 Circulation
- 3.20.4 Sensitivity
- 3.20.5 Support
- 3.20.6 Reproduction
- 3.30 Dissection to reinforce appropriate vital functions for amphibian, reptile, bird, and mammal
- 4.00 Systems of the Human Body
- 4.10 Comparison of human body to Great River, government
- 4.20 Identification, structure, components, purpose, and function
- 4.20.1 Musculoskeletal
- 4.20.2 Nervous
- 4.20.3 Circulatory
- 4.20.4 Respiratory
- 4.20.5 Digestive and excretory
- 4.20.6 Endocrine
- 4.20.7 Reproductive
- 4.20.8 Immune/defense
Botany
- 1.00 Plant Classification
- 1.10 Tradition vs vascular and non-vascular
- 1.20 Differentiation by biomes
- 2.00 Plant Life
- 2.10 Life cycles
- 2.20 Review of parts of plant
- 3.00 Vital Functions of plants
- 3.10 Nutrition
- 3.20 Respiration
- 3.30 Circulation
- 3.40 Sensitivity
- 3.50 Support
- 3.60 Reproduction
- 4.00 Conservation of species
- 4.10 Protective functions
Environmental Science
- 1.00 Water conservation
- 1.10 Grey water
- 1.20 Cisterns
- 2.00 Energy conservation
- 2.10 Solar energy
- 2.20 Geothermal energy
- 2.30 Hydroelectric energy
- 2.40 Wind
- 2.50 Fuel cells
- 2.60 Biomass
- 3.00 Waste conservation
- 3.10 Recycling
- 3.20 Composting
- 3.30 Biodegradation
Astronomy and Earth Science
- 1.00 Astronomy
- 1.10 Review of universe, whole to part
- 1.20 Review of solar system: planet order, characteristics
- 1.30 Introduction to stars
- 1.30.1 Constellations
- 1.30.2 Mythology: Greek and Roman
- 1.40 Astronomical Relationships
- 1.40.1 Earth to sun (years, seasons)
- 1.40.2 Earth to moon (months, phases of the moon, lunar calendars)
- 2.00 Planet Earth
- 2.10 Timeline of life
- 2.10.1 Fossil evidence
- 2.10.2 Rock cycle: sedimentary, ignateous, metamorphic
- 2.20 Origin of earth
- 2.20.1 Theories
- 2.20.2 Plate tectonics
- 2.10 Timeline of life
- 3.00 Weather and Meteorology
- 3.10 Measurements and instruments
- 3.10.1 Temperature, humidity
- 3.10.2 Barometer, aerometer, thermometer, hydrometer
- 3.20 Work of Air
- 3.20.1 Layers of the atmosphere
- 3.30 Work of Water
- 3.30.1 Water cycle
- 2.30.2 Effects of water on landscape (erosion, freeze and thaw)
- 3.30.3 Water conservation
- 3.40 Classification and identification of major cloud formations
- 3.50 Types, causes, and safety measures for weather conditions
- 3.50.1 Thunderstorms
- 3.50.2 Hurricanes
- 3.50.3 Tornadoes
- 3.10 Measurements and instruments
Chemistry
- 1.00 Three states of matter
- 1.10 Definition and identification of solid ,liquid, gas
- 1.20 Forces and how they act on matter: gravity, inertia
- 1.30 Vocabulary and experiments for chemical and physical changes in matter
- 1.30.1 Properties and changes observed through senses
- 1.40 Creation of solutions
- 1.50 Effect of heat on matter
- 2.00 Definition and experiments for acid and base
- 2.10 Testing of liquids
- 2.20 Testing of soil
- 3.00 Periodic table of elements
- 3.10 Presentation of chart
- 3.20 Periodic organization of chart
- 3.30 Location and identification of common elements
- 4.00 Atomic Structure
- 4.10 Vocabulary and identification of molecules and atoms
- 4.10.1 Protons, electrons, neutrons
- 4.10.2 Atomic diagram
- 4.20 Chemical bonds
- 4.20.1 Ionic and covalent
- 4.20.2 Electron dot diagrams
- 4.10 Vocabulary and identification of molecules and atoms
Physics
- 1.00 Electricity
- 1.10 Where electricity is used
- 1.20 Observation of whole to part: lamp to bulb to filament
- 1.30 Existence of circuit for electricity to flow
- 1.40 Definition, observation and experiments: conductors, circuits, electron and flow, static electricity, electrical charges and generators
- 2.00 Observation of and experiments for magnets
- 2.10 Magnetic north
- 2.20 Magnetic field and force
- 2.30 Relationship of magnetism and electricity
- 3.00 Theory and purpose of gravity
- 3.10 Center of gravity
- 3.20 How size, weight, size, and mass affect gravity
- 3.30 Falling objects
- 4.00 Definition and experiments for buoyancy and changes in buoyancy
- 5.00 Balance
- 5.10 Scientific scale, gram scale
- 5.20 Making predictions and estimations
- 5.30 Balancing point and center of gravity
- 6.00 Definition of and manipulation of seven simple machines
- 7.00 Flight
- 7.10 Principles and forces acting upon flight
- 7.20Air foil, lift, wind
- 7.30 Effect of air speed, air pressure
- 8.00 Light (spectrum, ultraviolet, transparent, and opaque)
- 8.10 How light moves/travels
- 8.20 Effect and use of light filters
- 8.30 Mirror effect
- 9.00 Sound
- 9.10 Propagation of wave: speed (frequency), pitch (amplitude)
- 9.20 Experiments with sound through different states of matter
- 9.30 How sound can be affected or changed
- 10.00 Heat
- 10.10 Conduction of heat energy
- 10.20 How gas pressure affects heat
- 10.30 Energy changes
- 11.00 Motion
- 11.10 Causes of movement
- 11.20 Mass and kinetic energy
- 11.30 Influences on motion: weight, texture, inertia, friction
- 11.40 Newton’s Law of Action & Reaction
- 11.50 Movement of air
Scientific Process and Principles
- 1.00 Observation
- 1.10 Whole/part relationships reinforced and highlighted
- 1.20 Experiences within prepared classroom environment
- 1.30 Experiences in natural environment: nature walks, field trips
- 1.40 Experiences involving all five senses
- 2.00 Classification
- 2.10 Grouping ideas, concepts, options, etc.
- 2.20 Research process
- 2.30 Synthesis
- 3.00 Measurement and quantification
- 3.10 Identify, calibrate, and utilize scientific instruments for data collection
- 3.20 Analyze data for reliability
- 3.30 Quantify experimental
- 4.00 Inference and prediction
- 4.10 Identify possible outcomes
- 4.20 Identify probable outcomes, with educated prediction
- 4.30 Infer future outcomes, possible sequelae
- 4.40 Utilize deductive and inductive reasoning
- 5.00 Experimentation
- 5.10 Self-directed trials through prepared classroom environment
- 5.20 Group trials on random environmental topics
- 5.30 Annual participation in science fair project
- 5.40 Hypothesis generation
- 5.50 Create research process to prove or disprove hypothesis
- 5.60 Complete research/experiment protocol/procedures
- 6.00 Questioning, evaluation, and presentation
- 6.10 Analyze results/data for compatibility with premise
- 6.20 Evaluate entire research process for reliability, errors in judgment, etc.
- 6.30 Individual interests encouraged for presentation during share time
- 6.40 Oral and written presentation for science fair project
* Chemistry and Physics are two areas that readily lend themselves to experiments and to the Scientific Process. Students are encouraged to consider/test any idea they identify throughout the entire curriculum.