Scope and Sequence

Use the link below to access the 

Scope and Sequence planners for  

Building Blocks of Science

 (BBS) 3rd grade Science kits.  These interactive planners have links to support documents, career connection, vocabulary cards, and phenomena that align with each unit.  In addition, these planners provide overviews for each lesson, from the amount of time needed, to the lessons objectives, and grading resources that have been created to support the collection of data for grading the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPS).  

  

Scope and Sequence-Link

All-Things Science!

 

 All- Things Science! 

Interactive Slide-Deck 

A comprehensive slide deck has been created for teachers.  This slide deck provides amazing resources around ordering/ purchasing science materials, science integration, grading science, STEM field studies, research on Why Science, and more.  Consider bookmarking this resource for future reference.

Shopping list: this list is intended to guide OPs in making purchases that are requested by teachers. Your building should come up with an internal process and timeline for teachers to request purchases.  More information on science materials, please see pages 11-13 of the Elementary Science update slide deck linked below.  

Elementary Science Update - Link 

Shopping list- Link 

 

Integration of Subject Matter: Including Science is Key!

 How does leading with Science build strong subject bases in other content areas? Check out STEM Teaching Tool #62; What does subject matter integration look like in elementary instruction? Including science is KEY!   Interesting information: "a typical elementary school class spends about 20 minutes a day on science instruction, compared to 60 minutes on mathematics and almost 90 minutes on language arts. Integration can ensure that all students have opportunities to learn science, as they are likely to experience regular learning in math or language arts." Consider this:  Is this equitable for ALL students?

If this is your first experience with the STEM teaching tools, there are a few things that you might want to know.

1) STEM teaching tools are developed by teachers and researchers and topics have been identified based on what is of interest to teachers.

2) Within each tool you will find links to additional resources, research materials, and current practices.

In addition, a link to additional STEM tools that pertain to the topic you selected is provided within each tool.   

Looking for more information on time for science and Social Studies?  Check out this video "Speaking up for Science and Social Studies" with Nell Duke. Professor at the University of Michigan.  This 29:08 min. video provides many key points for integrating ELA (and math) into Science and Social Studies.  Nell Duke: Nell K. Duke, Ed.D., is a professor in literacy, language, and culture and the combined program in education and psychology at the University of Michigan and a member of the International Literacy Association Literacy Research Panel.

STEM Teaching Tool #62- Link 

Speaking up for Science and Social Studies- Link 

Communicating in Scientific Ways

 Looking for great sentences starters for encouraging students to engaging in argument from evidence (SEP7) AND obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information (SEP8)?   This two page document is a great resource for helping students communicate and ways to figure things out.  

Suggestions for use:

1) Print out a set for groups, while students are evaluating peers, encourage them to use the sentence starters in "How we communicate" as questions, notices, and wonders.

2) As students move through a scope or kit, encourage them to use the symbol as a note taking strategy.  Is there something they have a questions about, or do they need to remember to give evidence and do not want to forget?  

3) As the instructor, use the sentence starters as a way to model good questions, or wonders.  "Are you saying _________"  or "That idea makes sense to me because....."  

Do you have a suggestion for ways that this resource can be used, feel free to leave a comment below.  

Communication in Science- Link 

BBS Curriculum Assessment Points

NTPS SEP Grading Matrix

Grading SEPs Matrix

With the move to the updated 3D version of Building Blocks of Science (BBS), the grading points have changed.  As I continue to update this document, I will add priority, additional and optional grading points.  At this time, all SEPs (even ones that are "not best fits") have been listed.  Watch for more updates to come.

3rd Grade BBS Curriculum Assessment Points -  Link 

2021 and beyond Grading Matrix

 

Third grade Grading resources: 

The Grading Matrix is a quick, one page document that has all of your grading resources in one place.  On this document you will find:

•  Third grade scope and sequence
• Grading Curriculum alignment
• SEP Rubric
  
• Link to the data collection documents and the gradebook
• Report card inserts  

Grading Matrix- Link

Scientific Discourse

 

What is Scientific Discourse?  How can you promote science discourse and why is it important?  

One of the main goals of science learning is to help students make sense of scientific phenomena and ideas.  Rich discourse offers students ways to express their ideas, reasoning and thinking, but what does that look like in an elementary classroom?   For more information on scientific discourse check out the:

STEMscopes Scientific Discourse poster- Link 
and the Building Blocks of Science white paper: Promoting Discourse in Science Class- Link