Science

Philosophy

The Lower School Science program seeks to create an awareness of the importance of science in all aspects of life through hands-on exploration. The enjoyment of science is stressed throughout the curriculum. The curriculum correlates with the developmental stages of young children. Pre-Primary and Grade One follow the first part of the curriculum over two years, while Grades Two and Three follow the second part of the curriculum over two years. This two-year curriculum allows time for students to explore topics in depth. Science concepts, skills, and approaches are taught to students through active involvement and guided discovery. An exciting process of inquiry is also used to promote independent thinking and problem solving. Basic primary scientific skills are introduced: observing, communicating, comparing and contrasting, classifying, measuring, and predicting. Basic primary scientific skills are introduced: observing, communicating, comparing and contrasting, classifying, measuring, and predicting. The scientific process of conducting an experiment is introduced to older students. Students develop a question, set up tests, record results, and draw conclusions. Students are encouraged to think critically and creatively. They learn the important roles note-taking, drawing, and labeling diagrams play in science by keeping journals throughout the year. Field trips to Black Rock Forest, science museums, and Central Park bring the experiences of the classroom to life. There is a Lower School Science Exhibition for grades two and three.

Pre-Primary and Grade One

Students learn about the five senses and the importance of the senses in learning about the world. They learn about the human body, health, and nutrition. They also study living things by observing and comparing variations in animals and animal behavior. Students observe, describe, and record the growth of plants. Other areas studied are the seasons, color and light, and floating and sinking.

Grade Two and Grade Three

Students learn about measurement and the use of the metric system in scientific investigation. They learn about taxonomy, the categorizing of animals and plants. Various ecosystems are explored and the importance of biodiversity and preservation is discussed. They compare the three states of matter and experiment with changing one state of matter to another. Students also investigate how static electricity and electrical currents can be produced. Other subjects include magnetism, the solar system, and earth science.

Grade Four

Students make a comprehensive study of the theory of plate tectonics, earthquakes and volcanoes. This topic is extended to a study of rocks and minerals. Much of the second half of the year is spent in the study of living things, and more specifically, plants. Emphasis is placed on what constitutes living matter, the Linnaean classification system and plant growth.