Science4Us was developed especially for K-2 students and teachers as a complete science curriculum, but the program doesn’t have to stop when second grade ends. Science4U benefits students in upper elementary grade levels, too. Interactive science materials are helpful tools for upper elementary students who do not have a solid K-2 science foundation and for content review and expansion. Even though Science4Us is a curriculum designed to teach the K-2nd grade standards, the program offers 3rd-5th grade offline activities created to align with grade-level science standards. While it doesn’t cover all the standards students are expected to learn in 3rd through 5th grade, there are plenty of advantages to using it with upper elementary students.
Bridging foundations: Science4Us for upper elementary science review
Science goals for grades 3-5 assume that students received foundational introductions to science concepts in the early grades. Unfortunately, that’s not always true! It’s never too early to teach science, but finding time in early elementary grades for science instruction can be tricky. Using Science4Us in grades 3-5 allows teachers to weave in those fundamentals quickly without students falling too far behind. Science4Us can be implemented in upper grades as a review, a gap-filler for missed instruction, or a supplement to the current curriculum.
What does Science4Us provide for 3rd-5th graders?
Science4Us follows the 5E Instructional Model. The 5E Model encourages students to question, observe, analyze, and draw conclusions. This constructivist model uses prior knowledge as a bridge to comprehend and integrate new concepts, making it perfect for reviewing and even introducing science concepts to students in grades 3-5.
With Science4Us, students collaborate to solve problems and investigate new concepts with the 5E Model, which uses activities to Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. Engage activities are effectively used before jumping into a topic found in textbooks. Add the Explore activity to generate new ideas and develop questions. Explain offline lessons can be used to check for understanding. Elaborate tasks in the 3-5 review incorporate literacy, math, and STEM, as well as a hands-on investigation, allowing students opportunities to fine-tune science skills with in-depth learning experiences. Finally, Evaluate work is a great way to check for understanding as students work towards learning objectives.
How to incorporate Science4Us into 3rd-5th grade science curriculum
Science4Us provides materials developed for educators in grades 3-5. While the online activities are K-2 content, the hands-on and offline materials are explicitly designed to incorporate science, math, and literacy skills appropriate to 3rd to 5th-grade students. Teachers can quickly review major concepts with students and use the offline 3-5 review resources as a starting point for the current curriculum.
Science4Us could also be used in whole-group, 1:1, or small-group settings, such as intervention and special education. The overall design and ease of the program allow students with all ability levels additional support and exposure to science in a differentiated media format.
What do 3rd to 5th graders learn in science?
Building solid scientific foundations in the early years is critical for success throughout the entire academic journey. There’s a lot of content to explore as students advance through the grade levels.Students in upper elementary grades study a variety of science concepts, including:
- Earth and Space Science
- Life Science
- Physical Science
- Science and Measurement Skills
- Technology and Engineering
Science4Us welcomes K-2 students into science blended with cross-curricular interactive lessons, setting the stage for success and a deeper understanding of science concepts with Gizmos virtual labs in grades 3-12. Both Science4Us and Gizmos incorporate the 5E Model of Instruction, making them powerful tools for the seamless implementation of effective STEM instruction. With a library of over 500 simulations, Gizmos take students to the next level with an interactive design that supports manipulating variables and “what-if” experimentation. Every Gizmo has extensive teaching resources that help make planning and teaching easy. Gizmos have you covered whole group, small group, or 1:1 lessons. Science4Us and Gizmos together deliver real results from kindergarten all the way to graduation!
Set elementary students up for science success with Science4Us
Science4Us is an excellent review program to supplement your current curriculum and ensure continuous exposure to science content. Students investigate foundations and principles of science while practicing essential skills such as:
- Inferencing
- Making predictions
- Comparing and contrasting
- Speaking
- Listening
- Sequencing
- Summarizing
With Science4Us 3rd-5th grade offline extension activities, students develop and broaden their understanding of science concepts. Will your students be ready for high expectations in the middle school science curriculum? Feel more secure about readiness with a boost from Science4Us and Gizmos.
