Elementary Science at NNPS
K-5 Science Instruction
The NNPS Elementary Science curriculum utilizes science instructional practices aligned to the Virginia Science Standards of Learning. Instruction focuses on developing the scientific mind through investigating through a hands-on approach.
Click the icons below to learn more about our curriculum, instruction, and assessments.
Curriculum
The NNPS Elementary Science Curriculum is designed for students to have multiple hands-on experiences with inquiry and experimentation. Science instruction is essential in kindergarten through 5th grade as students learn formative skills, new concepts, and vocabulary, interact within their environment, and conserve and live with the natural world. With each new addition of standards, our curriculum is updated, revised, and adjusted to meet the new standards and expectations of rigor and experiences for students. The science curriculum has a thematic progression for learning about our natural world:
- Kindergarten - Using my senses to understand my world
- 1st Grade - How I interact with my world
- 2nd Grade - Change occurs all around us
- 3rd Grade - Interactions in our world
- 4th Grade - Our place in the solar system
- 5th Grade - Transforming matter and energy
Instruction
High-Quality Instructional Materials
The Virginia Literacy Act requires each school division to provide evidence-based literacy instruction aligned with science-based reading research using approved high-quality instructional materials. NNPS has adopted the following core and supplemental instructional materials to meet this requirement:
Core Instruction
Virginia Department of Education
Daily lessons and investigations support students towards mastery of the grade level Science Standards of Learning (SOL) outlined by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE).
Supplemental Instruction
Discovery Education
In kindergarten through fifth grade, teachers have access to the Discovery Education Network of educational resources aligned with the Virginia Standards of Learning.
Mystery Science
In kindergarten through fifth grade, teachers can use supplemental lessons designed in Mystery Science to reinforce concepts and skills taught throughout a unit of study. The lessons are aligned with the Virgina Standards of Learning and require students to use the science and engineering practices in real world experiences.
Assessment
NNPS utilizes a balanced assessment model in order to collect data to set student goals and determine specific and targeted next steps to accelerate learning. Each grade-level model includes state approved diagnostic and summative assessments.
- End of Unit Assessments
- Problem Based Assessments
- Formative Assessments throughout the unit of study
- End of Unit Assessments
- End of Quarter Assessments
- Formative Assessments throughout the unit of study
