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Video and Image Data AccessA visual collection with science content appropriate for K-6 standards-based science |
| About VIDA | Donate Images | K-6 Science | Copyright Policy | Contact VIDA |
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Video and Image Data AccessA visual collection with science content appropriate for K-6 standards-based science |
| About VIDA | Donate Images | K-6 Science | Copyright Policy | Contact VIDA |
Good elementary school science teachers are likely to use one of three curricular programs that were carefully researched and designed to provide an inquiry-based, collaborative learning program at the K-6 level. Full Option Science System (FOSS) was developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science, University of California Berkeley and is distributed by Delta Education. The National Science Resource Center in collaboration with both the Smithsonian Institution and the National Academy of Sciences developed the STC kits distributed through Carolina Biological. The Insights kits were developed by Education Development Center, Inc. and are available through Kendall-Hunt Publishing Company. The following table provides a brief summary showing how some of these units for teaching life science content meet National Science Education Standards and California Science Content Standards. Each link provides more detailed information from the original source. This information can be used to help college students who will become K6 teachers adequately prepare to use inquiry-based instruction when they teach children.
| Curriculum | National Science Education Standards | California Science Content Standards |
| STC Ecosystems | K-4.A.2; 5-8.A.2 Science as Inquiry: Understandings about scientific inquiry. | G3.5.; G4.6.; G5.6.; G6.7. Investigation and experimentation. Develop a testable question. |
| FOSS Animals two by two | K-4.A.1; 5-8.A.1 Science as Inquiry: Tools extend abilities. | G2.4.f.; G6.7.b.Use magnifiers or microscopes to observe small objects or features. |
| STC Plant growth and development | K-4.C.1 Life Science: The characteristics of organisms, basic needs - air and light. | G1.2.b. Plants use carbon dioxide and energy from sunlight. G1.2.e. Role of roots. G5.2.f. Carbon dioxide and energy from sunlight to build food molecules. G.5.2.g Respiration. |
| FOSS Animals two by two | K-4.C.1 Life Science: The characteristics of organisms, basic needs - food. | K2. c. Major structures. Know organs of the digestive system. G1.2.c. Know animals eat plants or other animals. G1.2.d. Inferences from shape of animal teeth. G5.2.c. Digestive organ function. |
| STC Organisms | K-4.C.1 Life Science: The characteristics of organisms, basic needs - shelter. | K2.a. Similarities and differences in the appearance and behavior of plants and animals. G1.2.c. Know animals use plants for shelter. |
| Insights The senses | K-4.C.1; 5-8.C.1 Life Science: The characteristics of organisms - senses and behavior. | K2. c. Major structures of plants and animals. Observe using the five senses. G3.3.b. ; G5.2.a. Specialized structures. |
| Insights Human body systems | K-4.C.1; 5-8.C.1 Life Science: The characteristics of organisms - transport structures and functions. | K2. c. Major structures of plants and animals. Recognize structures to support the transport of materials. G3.3.b.; G5.2.a. Specialized structures. G5.2.b. Blood circulation. |
| STC Life Cycle of Butterflies | K-4.C.2 Life Science: Life cycle of organisms - stages. | G2.2.b. Know the sequential stages are different for different organisms. |
| STC Plant growth and development | K-4.C.2; 5-8.C.2 Life Science: Life cycle of organisms - reproductive structures. | G2.2.a. Predictable life cycles. G2.2.f. Know flowers and fruits are associated with reproduction in plants. G3.3.a. Reproductive structures. |
| STC Life Cycle of Butterflies | K-4.C.2; 5-8.C.2 Life Science: Life cycles - organisms resemble their parents. | G2.2.c. Know organisms reproduce offspring of their own kind. |
| Insights Bones and skeletons | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.3 Life Science: Breeding populations adapt to their environments. | G3.3.e. Adaptation or extinction. G6.5.e. Organism survival, growth and change of populations. |
| STC Plant growth and development | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.3 Life Science: Organisms respond to their environment. | G1.2.a. Know organisms depend on their environments. G2.2.e. Environmental factors effect plant development. G3.3.d.; G4.3.b. Survival responses. |
| STC Organisms | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.4 Life Science: Diversity of organisms - producers and consumers. | G1.2.c.; G6.5.d Organism roles. G1.2.a.; G3.3.d.; G6.5.e. Organism survival. G4.2.b.; G6.5.c. Populations categorized by the function - producer or consumer. |
| STC Ecosystems | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.4 Life Science: Organism interdependence - food chains and webs. | G6.5.a. Ecosystem exchanges. G6.5.b. Identify food chains and food webs. G6.5.d. Organism similarities. |
| FOSS New plants | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.4 Life Science: Organism interdependence - photosynthesis. | G1.2.b.; G4.2.a. Know plants are the primary source of matter and energy. G4.3.a. Ecosystems. |
| STC Microworlds | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.4 Life Science: Organism interdependence - decomposers. | G4.3.d. Beneficial microorganisms. Know decomposers recycle matter. |
| FOSS New plants | K-4.C.3 Life Science: Organism interdependence - pollination and dispersal. | G4.3.c. Know plants depend on animals for pollination and seed dispersal. |
| Insights Human body systems | K-4.C.3 Life Science: Organisms change environments. | G3.3.c. Organisms change environments. G4.2.d.Kidneys remove wastes and produce urine. G5.2.d. Kidney functions. |
| Insights Habitats | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.5 Life Science: Diversity of organisms - environments. | G3.3.b. Diverse life forms. Organisms depend on their environments. |
| FOSS Animals two by two | K-4.C.3; 5-8.C.5 Life Science: Diversity of organisms - variation. | K2. Different kinds of plants and animals. G2.2.d. Variation among individuals of one kind within a population. |
Content is defined according to the November, 1998, National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) Standards for Science Teacher Preparation (Standard 1, p. 10) as
The National Science Education Standards recognize five unifying concepts and processes in addition to the discipline-based standards.
Service Learning: Cal State University Fullerton college students who are prospective K-6 teachers are available to help a local K-6 teacher implement one of the following kits:
Examples: K-6 science teachers who use these kits are supported by partnerships among school systems, scientists, businesses, universities, and corporations. Many of these partnership projects were developed with the help of the National Science Resources Center (NSRC) nationwide initiative called LASER--Leadership and Assistance for Science Education Reform--a collaborative model for promoting and sustaining science education reform.
Comments or questions can be submitted using the VIDA feedback form.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. 0127164. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
Nancy Pelaez, Ph.D.
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Debra Winters, M.L.I.S.
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