Science Curriculum
These are highlights of our curriculum. For detailed curriculum by topic see the California State Board of Education K-12 Content Standards.
Kindergarten
Asking meaningful questions in three strands: Physical Science, Earth Science and Life Sciences.
1st Grade
Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions. Physical Science - Matter and Energy: Observations of solids, liquids and gases. Properties of heat and light. Life Science: Needs and interdependence of plants and animals. Plants and animals inhabit different kinds of environments and have external features that help them thrive in different kinds of places. Earth Science - Weather and the Seasons: Measurement of weather. Elements of the four seasons.
2nd Grade
Physical Science: The motion of objects can be observed and measured. Life Science: Sequential stages of life cycles are different for different animals, such as butterflies, frogs, and mice. Earth Science: Physical properties of different kinds of rocks.
3rd Grade
Physical Science: Energy and matter have multiple forms and can be changed from one form to another. Energy comes from the Sun to Earth in the form of light. Life Science: Plants and animals have structures that serve different functions in growth, survival, and reproduction. Earth Science: Patterns of stars, the Moon's appearance changes during the four-week lunar cycle.
4th Grade
Physical Science: Electricity and magnetism. Life Science: Producers and consumers (herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, and decomposers) are related in food chains and food webs and may compete with each other for resources in an ecosystem. Earth Science: How to differentiate among igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks by referring to their properties and methods of formation.
5th Grade
Physical Science: All matter is made of atoms, which may combine to form molecules. Metals have properties in common, such as high electrical and thermal conductivity. During chemical reactions the atoms in the reactants rearrange to form products with different properties. Life Science: Plants and animals have structures for respiration, digestion, waste disposal, and transport of materials. Students learn body systems, like how blood circulates through the heart chambers, lungs, and body. Earth Science: Water moves between the oceans and land through the processes of evaporation and condensation. The Sun heats the earth unevenly, causing air movements that result in changing weather patterns. Investigation and Experimentation: Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.
6th Grade: Focus on Earth Science
Plate Techtonics and Shaping the Earth's Surface: Plate techtonics indicate the continents fit together; they determine the location of earthquakes, volcanoes, and midocean ridges; and the distribution of fossils. Earth is composed of layers: lithosphere, mantle, and core. Topography is reshaped by the weathering of rock and soil. Thermal Energy: Energy can be carried from one place to another by heat flow or by waves, including water, light and sound waves, or by moving objects. Many phenomena on Earth's surface are affected by the transfer of energy through radiation and convection currents. Investigation and Experimentation: Construct appropriate graphs from data and develop qualitative statements about the relationships between variables.
7th Grade: Focus on Life Science
Cell Biology, Genetics and Evolution: Characteristics that distinguish plant cells from animal cells, the nucleus is the repository for genetic information, cells divide to increase their numbers through a process of mitosis, an inherited trait can be determined by one or more genes, DNA is the genetic material of living organisms and is located in the chromosomes of each cell. Earth Sciences: Geologic processes have large cumulative effects over long periods of time, such as major volcanic eruptions or the impacts of asteroids. Investigation and Experimentation: Select and use appropriate tools and technology (calculators, computers, balances, etc.) to perform tests, collect data, and display data.
8th Grade : Focus on Physical Science
Physics: Velocity of an object; graphs of speed versus time for motion in a single direction; unbalanced forces cause changes in velocity. Objects experience a buoyant force when immersed in a fluid. Earth Science: Structure and composition of the universe; stars and galaxies and their evolution. Chemistry: Structure of Matter (protons, neutrons, and electrons). Periodic Table of Elements. Chemical Reactions: Solutions are acidic, basic, or neutral. Chemistry of Living Systems: Living organisms are made of molecules consisting largely of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, and sulfur; carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and DNA. Investigation and Experimentation: Plan and conduct a scientific investigation to test a hypothesis.