DEPARTMENT OF CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICES Wilmette Public Schools

INFORMATION ITEM Date: June 20, 2011 To: Raymond E. Lechner, Ph.D. From: Toni Shinners Subject: Science Committee Update BACKGROUND Our vision for science education, supported by the research on student learning, has informed our decision to develop a revised science curriculum that provides students the opportunity to experience the dynamic nature of science. Our goal is to present science as an imaginative endeavor that creates opportunities for students to ask questions, engage in systematic planning, and to collect data that can be shared in an electronic fashion. The ability to understand how to investigate questions, to share collaboratively, to present findings, and to synthesize information will help prepare students for the 21st Century. Ultimately, we want students to not simply report the ordinary, but see the extraordinary. To that end, for the past two years the science committee has spent a great deal of time reviewing and revising the K-8 science scope and sequence, reviewing current research on best practices for teaching science, reviewing test scores, and looking at the District 39 science curriculum and how it relates to the Illinois Learning Standards, as well as the Common Core State Standards for science. The science committee consists of the following people: Dave Palzet – Principal, WJHS Sue Kick – Principal, Harper Toni Shinners – Assistant Superintendent, MEC Samantha Tabas – Kdg., McKenzie Jennifer Fall – 1st Grade, Harper Emily Moore – 2nd Grade, Romona Karen Pampush – 3rd Grade, Romona Traci Meziere – 4th Grade/DST, Central Margaret Belconis – 5th Grade, HMS Joanna Flintz – 6th Grade, HMS Steve Galligan – 7th Grade, WJHS, Science Chair Debbie Clark – 8th Grade, WJHS Katie Roberts – LBS, McKenzie Cathy Flemming – Curriculum Coordinator, MEC Kelly Hansen – Curriculum Coordinator, MEC REVISED K-8 SCOPE & SEQUENCE As a result of the committee’s work, here is the revised K-8 scope and sequence:

Science Curriculum Scope and Sequence 2011

Grade Unifying Concept Life Science Physical Science Earth/ Space Science

K Systems of Sorting

Characteristics of Living Things Physical Properties Properties of

Earth Materials

1 Change Over Time Habitats Changes in Matter Weather & Air

2 Patterns of Change

Comparative Life Cycles: Complete/Incomplete Sound/Light Sun, Moon, Earth

3 Systems & Relationships Plant Life Cycle: Prairies Force & Motion with

Simple Machines Astronomy

4 Change & Constancy Ecosystems Electricity & Magnetism Land & Water

Interaction

5 Systems & Interactions Human Body Systems Force & Motion:

Newton’s Laws Impact Earth:

Environmental Issues

6 Scale Properties of Matter & Energy: Light The Universe

7 Structure & Function

Structure & Function of Living Systems: Biological Evolution/ From Micro to Macro/

Water Studies Microscopic Level

Earth’s Systems, Structures & Processes:

Dynamic Changing Earth/Dynamic Weather Systems/The Role of Convection

8 Evidence & Explanation

Genetics: Genetic Diseases, DNA

Testing, Medical Claims & Evidence

Energy Transfer: Energy alternatives - wind

power, solar energy, geothermal energy, Green

Design and energy consumption

Watershed & Invasive Species:

Macro invertebrate studies, chemical testing of water, data

input, representation and analysis

Please Note: Unifying Concepts continue to build and are reinforced from one grade to the next.

MATERIAL SELECTION In making a materials recommendation, the committee considered the following items:

1. How textbooks, kits, and tradebooks matched our curriculum framework 2. How problem-solving and active inquiry are developed within the content of science lessons 3. How science concepts are applied to the real world 4. What extent is technology integrated into the program 5. Whether materials are student and teacher friendly

In District 39, science instruction is divided into three areas: physical, earth, and life. This division of subject matter allows grade levels to select materials that best meet their needs. As a result, each grade level selected materials from companies that best matched their curriculum. The results are as follows:

Kindergarten – Grade 4 Kindergarten National Geographic Science, FOSS, Lake Shore Learning Grade 1 National Geographic Science, The STC Program, FOSS Grade 2 FOSS, The STC Program, National Geographic Science and Content Literacy Grade 3 The STC Program, Delta Science Modules, National Geographic Science and Content

Literacy, GEMS, Acorn Naturalists, Capstone Publishers, Disney Educational Productions (DVDs), National Geographic Store (DVDs)

Grade 4 The STC Program, National Geographic Content Literacy Grades 5 & 6 Grade 5 LabAids/SEPUP, National Geographic Content Literacy, The Scope Shoppe, Dawn

Publications, Delta Grade 6 The STC Program, GEMS Grades 7 & 8 Grade 7 The STC Program Grade 8 LabAids/SEPUP, NSTA Press The recommendations are based on the following factors:

1. Well-balanced instructional program emphasizing conceptual understanding, reasoning, problem solving, inquiry, and application to real-life situations

2. Well-defined resources and opportunities for meaningful differentiated instruction 3. Emphasis on high-level thinking skills 4. Appropriate technology component based on grade level needs 5. Close alignment to District 39’s science curriculum

COSTS The original plan for the new science adoption was as follows: Grades Anticipated Costs Implementation Year K-4 $252,000 2011-12 5-6 $390,000 2012-13 7-8 $90,000 2013-14

K-8 Total Anticipated Costs: $732,000 Now that the material selection has been made, we have a more accurate picture of the costs. These costs are based on the current number of sections and one set of materials to be housed at the MEC for training purposes. CURRENT ANTICIPATED COSTS

Kindergarten through Fourth Grade Purchase for 2011-12 National Geographic Science/Content Literacy $100,562.18

Delta/ Foss $44,645.60 STC/GEMS $130,037.10

Lakeshore Learning $899.00 Acorn Naturalists $1,620.00

Capstone Publishers $2,446.56 Disney Educational Productions (DVDs) $119.96

National Geographic Store (DVDs) $139.80 Additional Shipping $500.00

TOTAL $280,970.20

The following are projected costs for grades 5-8. The cost of subscriptions to ebooks and other online services will need to be added when the publisher makes those costs available.

Grades 5 & 6 Purchase for 2012-13 National Geographic Content Literacy $7296.00

Delta $1262.40

STC/GEMS $100,876.89

LabAids/SEPUP $78,003.50

The Scope Shoppe $24,424.00

Other Publishers $1355.68

Estimated Shipping $20,000.00

TOTAL $233,218.47

Grades 7 & 8 Purchase for 2013-14 STC $53,301.03

LabAids/SEPUP $44,002.40 Other Publishers $5,511.78

Estimated Shipping $8600.00 TOTAL $111,415.21

New K-8 Total Anticipated Costs: $625,603.88 Presently, we have negotiated costs for the K-4 implementation and there should be little change with the exception of adding new sections. However, the costs for 5-8 could change before the actual implementation. CONCLUDING POINTS The revised science curriculum will prepare children for life in a globally interconnected age where information rests at our fingertips. As we know, the skills required for success in the 21st Century shift our vision to less importance on recall of facts, prescriptive scientific investigations, and the notion that science is a set body of knowledge. Instead, the revised curriculum helps students engage in experiences that replicate the work of scientists. The efforts of the science committee are fully aligned with District 39’s CONNECTED 21st Century learning strategic plan. Adding to the well-defined, comprehensive K-8 science curriculum is the inclusion of both formative and summative assessments. This allows the district to measure science knowledge and skills in a consistent and appropriate manner. The results of these assessments will be used to inform instruction. This will also help to ascertain if students are acquiring a solid understanding of the science concepts taught at each grade level. During the summer of 2011, committee members will be putting the finishing touches on the curriculum maps and completing the common assessments for each grade level. Attached to this document are draft samples of units from various grade levels. The final maps will be completed by June 30 and posted on the District 39 website prior to the opening of school.