Curriculum Guide in Science free essay sample

It integrates science and technology in the civic, personal, social, economic, and the values and ethical aspects of life. The science curriculum promotes a strong link between science and technology, including indigenous technology, keeping our country’s cultural uniqueness and peculiarities intact. Whether or not students pursue careers that involve science and technology, the K to 12 science curriculum will provide students with a repertoire of competencies important in the world of work and in a knowledge-based society. The K to 12 science curriculum envisions the development of scientifically, technologically, and environmentally literate and productive members of society who manifest skills as a critical problem solvers, responsible stewards of nature, innovative and creative citizens, informed decision makers, and effective communicators. This curriculum is designed around the three domains of learning science: understanding and applying scientific knowledge in local setting as well as global, context whenever possible, performing scientific processes and skills, and developing and demonstrating scientific attitudes and values. The acquisition of these domains is facilitated using the following approaches: multi/interdisciplinary approach, science–technology society approach, contextual learning, problem/issue-based learning, and inquiry-based approach. The approaches are based on sound educational pedagogy namely: constructivism, social cognition learning model, learning style theory, and Gestalt psychology. Science content and science processes are intertwined in the K to 12 curriculum. Without the content, learners will have difficulty utilizing science process skills since these processes are best learned in context. Organizing the curriculum around situations and problems that challenge and arouse students’ curiosity motivates them to learn and appreciate science as relevant and useful. Rather than relying solely on textbooks, varied hands-on, minds-on, and hearts-on activities will be used to develop students’ interest and let them become active learners. As a whole, the K to 12 science curriculum is learner-centered and inquiry-based, emphasizing the use of evidence in constructing explanations. Concepts and skills in Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Sciences are presented with increasing levels of complexity from one grade level to another (spiral progression), thus paving the way to deeper understanding of a few concepts. These concepts and skills are integrated rather than disciplinebased, stressing the connections across science topics and other disciplines as well as applications of concepts and thinking skills to real life. K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science – version as of January 31, 2012 2 K TO 12 SCIENCE Developing and Demonstrating Scientific Attitudes and Values The Conceptual Framework of Science Education K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science – version as of January 31, 2012 3 K TO 12 SCIENCE CORE LEARNING AREA STANDARD: (SCIENCE FOR THE ENTIRE K TO 12) The learner demonstrates understanding of basic science concepts, applies science process skills, and exhibits scientific attitudes and values to solve problems critically, innovate beneficial products, protect the environment and conserve resources, enhance the integrity and wellness of people, and make informed and unbiased decisions about social issues that involve science and technology. This understanding will lead to learner’s manifestation of respect for life and the environment, bearing in mind that Earth is our ONLY HOME. KEY STAGE STANDARDS: (STANDARD FOR SCIENCE LEARNING AREA FOR K-3, 4-6, 7-10 AND 11-12) K–3 At the end of Grade 3, the learners should have acquired healthful habits and developed curiosity about self and their environment using basic process skills of observing, communicating, comparing, classifying, measuring, inferring and predicting. This curiosity will help learners value science as an important tool in helping them continue to explore their natural and physical environment. –6 At the end of Grade 6, the learners should have developed the essential skills of scientific inquiry – designing simple investigations, using appropriate procedure, materials and tools to gather evidence, observing patterns, determining relationships,drawing conclusions based on evidence, and communicating ideas in varied ways to make mean ing of the observations and/or changes that occur in the environment. The content and skills learned will be applied to maintain good health, ensure the protection and improvement of the environment, and practice safety measures. – 10 At the end of Grade 10, the learner should have developed scientific, technological and environmental literacy so that they will not be isolated from the society where they live, will not be overwhelmed by change, and can make rational choices on issues confronting them. Having been exposed to scientific investigations related to real-life, they should recognize that the central feature of an investigation is that if one variable is changed (while controlling all others), the effect of the change on another variable is measured. The context of the investigation can be problems at the local or national level to allow them to communicate with students in other parts of the Philippines or even from other countries using appropriate technology. 11-12 At the end of Grade 12, the learner should have gained skills in obtaining scientific and technological information from varied sources about global issues that have impact on the country. They should have acquired attitudes that will allow them to innovate and/or create products useful to the community or country. They should be able to process information to get relevant data for a problem at hand. In addition, learners should have made plans related to their interests and expertise, considering the needs of their community and the country — to pursue either employment, entrepreneurship, or higher education. K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science – version as of January 31, 2012 4 K TO 12 SCIENCE Grade/Level K Grade Level Standards Concepts and skills in the kindergarten curriculum are taught thematically so that it is difficult to identify specific science ideas. At the end of Grade 1, learners will use their senses to locate and describe the parts of their body and tell the shape, color, texture, taste, and size of things around them. They will differentiate sounds produced by animals, vehicles cars, and musical instruments. They will illustrate how things move. They will describe similarities and differences, given two things. They will use appropriate terms or vocabulary to describe these features. They will collect, sort, count, draw, take things apart, or make something out of the things. They will practice health habits (e. . , washing hands properly, choosing nutritious food) and help clean or pack away their toys. They will ask questions. They will give simple answer/ descriptions to probing questions. At the end of Grade 2, learners will use their senses to describe more than two objects and using more than two properties. They can sort things in different ways and give a reason for doing so. They will describe the kind of weather or certain events in the home or school and express how these are affecting them. They will tell why some things around them are important. They will decide if what they do is safe or dangerous. They will give suggestions on how to prevent accidents at home (not playing with matches or sharp objects). They will switch off light when not in use or conserve water when taking a bath or brushing teeth. They will help take care of pets or of plants. They will tell short stories about what they do, what they have seen, or what they feel. At the end of Grade 3, learners will describe the functions of the different parts of the body and things that make up their surroundings rocks and soil, plants and animals, the Sun, Moon and stars. They will also learn that things may be solid, liquid or gas while others may give off light, heat and sound. They will also observe changes in the conditions of their surroundings. These will lead learners to become more curious about their surroundings, appreciate nature, and practice health and safety measures. After investigating, learners will identify materials that do not decay and use this knowledge to help minimize waste at home, school, and in the community. They will also investigate changes in the properties of materials when these are subjected to different conditions. The learners will describe the internal parts of the body and their functions in order to practice ways to maintain good health. They will classify plants and animals according to where they live and observe interactions among living things and their environment. They will infer that plants and animals have traits that help them survive in their environment. Learners will investigate which type of soil is best for certain plants and infer the importance of water in daily activities. They will learn about what makes up weather and apply their knowledge of weather conditions in making decisions for the day. Learners will also infer the importance of the Sun to life on Earth. Learners will investigate the effects of push or pull on the size, shape, and movement of an object Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science – version as of January 31, 2012 5 K TO 12 SCIENCE Grade/Level Grade Level Standards After investigating, learners will decide whether materials are safe and useful based on their properties. They will also infer that new materials may form when there are changes in properties. Learners will develop healthful and hygienic practices related to the reproductive system after describing changes that accompany puberty. They will compare different modes of reproduction among plant and animal groups and conduct an investigation on pollination. They will also make decisions about the preservation of estuaries and intertidal zones. Grade 5 Learners will recognize that different materials react differently with heat, light, and sound. They will relate these abilities of materials to their specific uses. Learners will describe the changes that earth materials undergo. They will learn about the effects of typhoons and make emergency plans with their families in preparation for typhoons. They will also observe patterns in the natural events by observing the appearance of the Moon Learners will understand how the different organ systems work together. They will classify plants based on reproductive structures and animals based on the presence or lack of backbone. They will design and conduct an investigation on plant propagation. They will also learn about larger ecosystems such as rainforests, coral reefs, and mangrove swamps. Learners will recognize that when mixed together, materials do not form new ones thus these materials may be recovered using different separation techniques. Learners will also prepare useful mixtures such as food, drinks and herbal medicines. Grade 6 Learners will describe what happens during earthquakes and volcanic eruptions and demonstrate what to do when they occur. They will infer that the weather follows a pattern in the course of a year. They will learn about the solar system, with emphasis on the motions of the Earth as prerequisite to the study of seasons in another grade level. Learners will infer that friction and gravity affect how people and objects move. They will also discover that heat, light, sound, electricity, and motion studied earlier are forms of energy and these undergo transformation. Learners will recognize the system of classification of matter through semi-guided investigations but emphasizing fair testing. Grade 7 Learners will describe what makes up the Philippines as a whole and the resources found in the archipelago. They will explain the occurrence of breezes, monsoons, and ITCZ and how these weather systems affect people. Using concepts in the previous grade, learners will demonstrate why the seasons change and how eclipses occur. Learners will describe the motion of objects in terms of distance and speed and represent this in tables, graphs, charts, and equations. K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science – version as of January 31, 2012 6 K TO 12 SCIENCE Grade/Level Grade Level Standards They will also investigate how various forms of energy travel through different media. After studying how organ systems work together in plants and animals in the lower grades, learners will now observe very small organisms and structures using a microscope. They will understand that living things are organized into different levels: cells, tissues, organs, organ systems, and organisms. These organisms comprise populations and communities which interact with nonliving things in ecosystems. Learners will now recognize reproduction as a process of cell division resulting in growth of organisms. They will also deal deeper into the process of digestion studied in the lower grades giving emphasis on proper nutrition for overall wellness. This will lead them to participate in activities that will protect and conserve economically important species used for food. Learners will explain the behavior of matter in terms of the particles it is made of. They will also recognize that ingredients in food and medical products are made up of these particles and are absorbed by the body in the form of ions. Grade 8 Learners will explain how active faults generate earthquakes and how tropical cyclones originate from warm ocean waters. They will also learn about the other members of the solar system. Learners will investigate the effects of some factors on the motion of an object based on the Laws of Motion. They will also differentiate the concept of work as used in science and in layman’s language. They will also learn about factors that affect the transfer of energy such as the molecular structure of the medium and temperature difference. After learning about the digestive system, learners will now expand their knowledge to a deeper understanding of the respiratory and circulatory systems to promote overall health. They will also learn about some technologies that will introduce desired traits in economically important plants and animals. Learners will explain how new materials are formed when atoms are rearranged. They will also recognize that a wide variety of useful compounds may arise from such rearrangements. Learners will identify volcanoes in the community or region and distinguish between active and inactive ones. They will also explain how energy from volcanoes may be tapped for human use. Learners will also learn about climatic phenomena that occur on a global scale. They will also explain why certain constellations can be seen only at certain times of the year. Learners will predict the outcomes of interactions among objects in real life applying the laws of conservation of energy and momentum. Grade 9 K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science – version as of January 31, 2012 7 K TO 12 SCIENCE Grade/Level Grade Level Standards Learners will now complete the study of the entire organism with their deeper study of the excretory and reproductive systems. They will also explain in greater detail how genetic information is passed from parents to offspring and how diversity of species increases the probability of adaptation and survival in changing environments. Learners will recognize the importance of controlling the conditions under which a phenomenon or reaction occurs. They will also recognize that cells and tissues of the human body are made up of water, a few kinds of ions, and biomolecules. These biomolecules may also be found in the food they eat. Learners will show that volcanoes and earthquakes occur in the same places in the world and that these are related to plate boundaries. Learners will also demonstrate ways to ensure safety and reduce damage during earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Learners will investigate factors that affect the balance and stability of an object to enable them to practice appropriate positions and movements to achieve efficiency and safety such as in sports and dancing. They will also analyze situations where energy is harnessed for human use whereby heat is released affecting the physical and biological components of the environment. Grade 11 Grade 12 To be completed after the meeting with G11-12 TWG To be completed after the meeting with G11-12 TWG Grade 10 K to 12 Curriculum Guide Science – version as of January 31, 2012 8 K TO 12 SCIENCE Content Characteristics of Living Things GRADE 3 Living Things and Their Environment FIRST QUARTER/FIRST GRADING PERIOD Content Standards Performance Standards The learner†¦ ? demonstrates understanding that living things breathe, eat, grow, move, reproduce, and react to light, touch, and temperature. These characteristics distinguish them from nonliving thing The learner†¦ ? tell whether a thing is living or nonliving given different samples. Learning Competencies The learner†¦ ? compares characteristics of a living and a nonliving thing Parts and Functions of Living Things ? Humans ? emonstrates understanding of the external parts of the body, their functions, and healthful practices to take care of the human body ? ? practices healthful habits and proper care of the sense organs and other external parts of the body ? ? ? ? labels the external parts of the human body describes the parts of the human body and their functions identifies the sense organs: parts and fun ctions describes how the sense organs work communicates proper ways and healthful practices to protect the sense organs and other external parts of the body makes a chart on proper ways of protecting these external parts.