should not be a verbatim reflection of the information presented in the Curriculum Framework. Students are expected to continue to apply knowledge and skills from Standards of Learning presented in previous grades as they build scientific expertise. The Board of Education recognizes that school divisions will adopt a K–12 instructional sequence that best serves their students. The design of the Standards of Learning assessment program, however, requires that all Virginia school divisions prepare students to demonstrate achievement of the standards for elementary and middle school by the time they complete the grade levels tested. The high school end-of-course Standards of Learning tests, for which students may earn verified units of credit, are administered in a locally determined sequence. Each topic in the Curriculum Framework is developed around the Standards of Learning. The format of Science Standards of Learning the Curriculum Framework facilitates teacher planning by identifying the key concepts, knowledge and skills that should be the focus of instruction for each standard. The Curriculum Framework is divided into two columns: Understanding the Standard (K-5); Essential Understandings (middle and high school); and Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes. The purpose of each column is explained below. Understanding the Standard (K-5) This section includes background information for the teacher. It contains content that may extend the teachers’ knowledge of the standard beyond the current grade level. This section may also contain suggestions and resources that will help teachers plan instruction focusing on the standard. Essential Understandings (middle and high school) This section delineates the key concepts, ideas and scientific relationships that all students should grasp to demonstrate an understanding of the Standards of Learning. Essential Knowledge, Skills and Processes (K-12) Each standard is expanded in the Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes column. What each student should know and be able to do in each standard is outlined. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list nor a list that limits what is taught in the classroom. It is meant to be the key knowledge and skills that define the standard. Strand: Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic This strand represents a set of systematic inquiry skills that defines what a student will be able to do when conducting activities and investigations, and represents the student understanding of the nature of science. The various skill categories are described in the
should not be a verbatim reflection of the information presented in the Curriculum Framework. Students are expected to continue to apply knowledge and skills from Standards of Learning presented in previous grades as they build scientific expertise. The Board of Education recognizes that school divisions will adopt a K–12 instructional sequence that best serves their students. The design of the Standards of Learning assessment program, however, requires that all Virginia school divisions prepare students to demonstrate achievement of the standards for elementary and middle school by the time they complete the grade levels tested. The high school end-of-course Standards of Learning tests, for which students may earn verified units of credit, are administered in a locally determined sequence. Each topic in the Science Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework is developed around the Standards of Learning. The format of the Curriculum Framework facilitates teacher planning by identifying the key concepts, knowledge and skills that should be the focus of instruction for each standard. The Curriculum Framework is divided into two columns: Understanding the Standard (K-5); Essential Understandings (middle and high school); and Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes. The purpose of each column is explained below. Understanding the Standard (K-5) This section includes background information for the teacher. It contains content that may extend the teachers’ knowledge of the standard beyond the current grade level. This section may also contain suggestions and resources that will help teachers plan instruction focusing on the standard. Essential Understandings (middle and high school) This section delineates the key concepts, ideas and scientific relationships that all students should grasp to demonstrate an understanding of the Standards of Learning. Essential Knowledge, Skills and Processes (K-12) Each standard is expanded in the Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Processes column. What each student should know and be able to do in each standard is outlined. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list nor a list that limits what is taught in the classroom. It is meant to be the key knowledge and skills that define the standard. Strand: Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic This strand represents a set of systematic inquiry skills that defines what a student will be able to do when conducting activities and investigations, and represents the student understanding of the nature of science. The various skill categories are described in the
science-2010-curriculum-framework-5-ada.docx