Graduate Research Papers
Standards Based Recommendations for K-8 Science Curriculum at Independence Community School District
Availability
Open Access Graduate Research Paper
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the gaps, redundancies, and conceptual inconsistencies present in the Independence Community School District K-8 science curriculum. The study was divided into four chapters with the first chapter providing an introduction, followed with a chapter laying out the background and framework. Chapter three consists of the method to create the product and the product itself which include the National Science Education Standards in one section and spreadsheet matrices in the traditional science content areas of life, earth/space, and physical science, science as inquiry, and science and technology for grades K-4 and grades 5-8 in another section.
The results of the study showed that in the Independence Community School District K-8 science curriculum, life science is taught in all but grade 8. Exposure to several organisms occurs in grades K-4, but the curriculum needs to include more than just basic needs and structural observations. In grades 5-8, concepts in the life science standards and benchmarks are mostly taught. Students have disconnected experiences in earth science with grades 2, 3, and 8 doing a majority of the teaching in this area. This allows for very little spiraling of concepts. Physical science is nonexistent in grades K-3 with a few concepts taught in grades 4-8. Teachers in grade K-8 indicate inclusion of the first standard of Science as Inquiry, but it is unclear if these are activities or student-led investigations. The second standard is not taught in any grades. Science and Technology does not appear to be taught in any grades. Many recommendations are made for the inclusion of science benchmarks.
Year of Submission
2004
Degree Name
Master of Arts
Department
Science Education Program
Date Original
6-2004
Object Description
1 PDF (78 pages)
Copyright
©2004 Jan Reed
Language
en
File Format
application/pdf
Recommended Citation
Reed, Jan, "Standards Based Recommendations for K-8 Science Curriculum at Independence Community School District" (2004). Graduate Research Papers. 4598.
https://scholarworks.uni.edu/grp/4598
Comments
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