Science
Welcome to Science
Mrs. Olsen
Saint Joseph’s science program is based on scientific inquiry; visualizing science concepts; and reading science content that is engaging, clear, and current.
What is scientific inquiry?
Scientific inquiry has been linked to hands-on learning and active based instruction. It has also been associated with a discovery approach or development of process skills connected to the scientific method. Children who learn by using the scientific inquiry approach view themselves as scientists that plan and carry out investigations.
It has also been found that students are able to communicate using a variety of methods. Evidence has been reported that shows scientific inquiry in the classroom has improved scientific literacy, understanding scientific processes, critical thinking and higher achievement on tests.
FOURTH GRADE
The fourth grade will be exploring several areas of science this year, stemming from Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. We will be integrating our FOSS kits in with our science text books. There are many exciting things that the children will be experiencing and learning, such as different ecosystems, the way our bodies work, animal behaviors and survival, electricity & magnets (to name only a few). In the beginning of the year, we will be focusing on measurement and understanding the metric system so that their experiments, as well as lab reports are accurate and understandable.
FIFTH GRADE
The fifth grade science program is one which engages students in active investigations of scientific concepts. Through the exploration of concepts in the areas of Life Science, Physical Science, and Earth Science, students make meaningful connections between science and other areas of the curriculum. Students develop process skills as they actively investigate concepts, as well as, developing critical thinking and scientific reasoning skills.
SIXTH GRADE
The emphasis of the sixth grade science program is on those topics classified as the earth sciences. Students will explore soil, rock, sea, atmosphere and the universe. This process will involve the use of hands on activities to reinforce classroom concepts. Every attempt is made to utilize the background of each student in the real world as a way of discovering the overlying concepts presented in the sixth grade earth science curriculum.
SEVENTH GRADE
Seventh grade science emphasizes biological science. Students use a scientific inquiry approach in studying cells, simple organisms, the animal kingdom, genetics, evolution and ecology. A great deal of study is placed on acquisition of biological principles and vocabulary, laboratory skills and critical thinking. This curriculum will encourage active thinking, recognition of cause and effect as it pertains to living organisms and recognition of evolutionary patterns.
EIGHTH GRADE
Eighth grade physical science provides students with an introduction to fundamental concepts in chemistry and physics. This is to prepare the students for high school science courses and to give them basic knowledge necessary to understand the world around them. Through frequent laboratory activities, students have a chance to improve their laboratory skills and to develop their critical thinking and scientific reasoning.