Orientation to theOrientation to theScience K to 7 IRP

 2005

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

How was Science K to 7 developed?

How has Science K to 7 changed since the 1995 IRP?

What content does Science K to 7 address?

How was Science K to 7 developed? • based on recommendations from the Science

Curriculum Review Report, 2001(www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/reports/scireview.pdf)

• incorporation of the Pan Canadian Common Framework of Science Learning Outcomes, 1997(http://www.cmec.ca/science/framework/)

• written by a team of educators

• preliminary draft piloted in the 2002-03 school year

• reviewed by partners in education, including parents, students, and stakeholder groups

• full implementation begins September 2005

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

How has Science K to 7 changed since the 1995 IRP?

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

• fewer topics and fewer prescribed learning outcomes

• separate outcomes for each Primary grade (Kindergarten to Grade 3)

• aligns with the Pan Canadian Common Framework of Science Learning Outcomes (1997)

• improved support for assessment with the addition of key elements and suggested achievement indicators

• integration of Aboriginal content in the learning outcomes

• integration of information and communications technology content in the outcomes

Goals for Scientific Literacy

• understanding connections among science, technology, society, and the environment (STSE)

• developing science-related skills

• acquiring knowledge and understanding of concepts in life science, physical science, and Earth and space science

• developing attitudes conducive to the responsible acquisition and application of scientific and technological knowledge

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

What content does Science K to 7 address?

Science K to 7Curriculum Organizers

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

• Processes of Science

• Life Science

• Physical Science

• Earth and Space Science

Curriculum Organizer:Processes of Science

• observing• communicating• classifying• interpreting• making inferences• questioning

• measuring

the study of processes and skills that enable

students to develop their understanding of science:

• predicting

• designing experiments

• fair testing

• controlling variables

• problem solving

• hypothesizing

• developing modelsPart 1: What Is Science K to 7?

Curriculum Organizer: Life Science

• characteristics of living things

• needs of living things

• animal growth and changes

the study of the diversity, continuity, interactions, and balance among organisms and their environments to extend students’ understanding of

the living world and their place in it:

• plant growth and changes

• habitats and communities

• human body• diversity of life• ecosystems

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

Curriculum Organizer: Physical Science

• properties of objects and materials

• force and motion

• properties of matter

• materials and structures

the study of matter and energy, and their

interactions: • light and sound

• forces and simple machines

• electricity

• chemistry

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

Curriculum Organizer: Earth and Space Science

• surroundings

• daily and seasonal changes

• air, water, and soil

• stars and planets

the study of the universe and the structure of the Earth to develop students’ understanding of the forces, processes, and dynamic life-supporting

qualities of the Earth: • weather

• renewable and non-renewable resources

• exploration of extreme environments

• earth’s crust

Part 1: What Is Science K to 7?

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

What is an IRP?

What are the components of the Science K to 7 IRP?

What Is an IRP?

• are provincial curriculum documents

• set provincial standards for what students are expected to know and be able to do

• are written by educators

• are produced by the Ministry of Education

IRP stands for Integrated Resource Package. IRPs:

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

What are the components of the Science K to 7 IRP?

• Introduction

• Classroom Assessment Model

• Learning Resources (Grade Collections)

• Glossary• Prescribed Learning Outcomes

– Rationale– Goals– Curriculum

Organizers– Suggested Timeframe– Considerations for

Program Delivery

– Key Elements– Suggested

Achievement Indicators

• Student Achievement

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Introduction

• Curriculum Overview

• Considerations for Program Delivery

provides general information about the IRP, including:

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Curriculum Overview

• rationale for the subject

• goals

• descriptions of curriculum organizers

• suggested timeframe for each curriculum organizer

provides specific information about Science K to 7, including:

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Considerations for Program Delivery

• working with the school and community

• working with the Aboriginal community

• information and communications technology

• copyright

• addressing local needs

• involving parents/guardians

• establishing a positive classroom climate

• safety

• confidentiality

• inclusion, equity, and accessibility

information to help schools plan for program delivery, including:

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Prescribed Learning Outcomes

• legally mandated content standards

• required attitudes, skills, and knowledge

• what students are expected to know and be able to do

• expectations for all students

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Prescribed Learning Outcomes

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

two formats: by curriculum organizer and by grade

Key Elements

• descriptions of content

• help determine the intended depth and breadth of prescribed learning outcomes

• by curriculum organizer

• can be used as a subject overview or outline Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

(new feature for this IRP)

Achievement Indicators

• identify specific level of attitudes, skills, or knowledge in relation to a corresponding prescribed learning outcome

• one learning outcome can have several achievement indicators

• help guide classroom assessment

• suggested, not prescribed Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

(new feature for this IRP)

Classroom Assessment Model

• a series of units for each grade provided to help teachers plan classroom assessment

• presented by grade and curriculum organizer

• addresses all of the prescribed learning outcomes for each grade

• suggestions only

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Classroom Assessment Model

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

• includes teacher assessment, peer assessment, and self-assessment strategies

• promotes assessment of learning, assessment for learning, and assessment as learning

• presents a variety of assessment approaches to address a range of learning styles and to help students advance their own achievement, such as:– labs and experiments– charts, graphs, mind

maps– projects– models and dioramas

– written and oral tests– portfolios– individual and group

presentations– learning logs and

journals

Assessment Overview Table suggestions and guidelines for classroom-based assessment and grading

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Classroom Assessment Model

• arranged by curriculum organizer

• each unit addresses one learning outcome and its corresponding achievement indicators

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Classroom Assessment Model

• Planning for Assessment provides information to set up the assessment task

• each Suggested Assessment Activity directly corresponds the strategy in the Planning for Assessment column

• Suggested Assessment Activities list specific criteria for teacher, peer, or self-assessment

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Classroom Assessment Model

• recommended learning resources relate to the specific learning outcomes for that unit but not necessarily to the assessment activities

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Classroom Assessment Model

• sample assessment instruments are provided at the end of each grade

• contain criteria specific to one or more of the suggested assessment activities for that grade

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Learning Resources

• Grade Collections (recommended learning resources) for each grade of Science K to 7

• include some newly recommended resources and some resources previously recommended for earlier editions of the curriculum

• current as of March 2005; for latest updates go tohttp://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp_

resources/lr/resource/gradcoll.htm

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

Glossary

• defines selected terms used in the IRP

Part 2: What’s in the Science K to 7 IRP?

For more information

Full text of all current Science IRPs

(including the K to 7 IRP in single

grade segments) and other

curriculum information is available at

http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/irp_

sci.htm