SCIENCE INSTRUCTION

Use consistent terminology and content in vertical alignment of the standards

Update standards to include references to additional energy sources

Move examples and details to the Curriculum Framework

The .1 stem for the majority of the K-12 SOL changed to include the “nature of science.”

Real world applications added to .1 SOL

Summary of Changes to Science SOL

What is The Nature of

Science?

UNDERSTANDABLETHE NATURAL WORLD IS

EVIDENCE

SCIENCE DEMANDS

LOGIC AND IMAGINATION

SCIENCE IS A BLEND OF

DURABLESCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

SUBJECT TO CHANGE

SCIENTIFIC KNOWLEDGE IS

BIASSCIENTISTS ATTEMPT TO AVOID

SOCIAL ACTIVITYSCIENCE IS A COMPLEX

Revisions to the Science SOL:

Kindergarten• K.1h (added) Observations are recorded

• K.6 (added): Living and nonlivingThe student will investigate and understand the

differences between living organisms and nonliving objects. Key concepts include

a) all things can be classified as living or nonliving; and

b)living organisms have certain characteristics that distinguish them from nonliving objects including growth, movement, response to the environment, having offspring, and the need for food, air, and water.

 • K.7b (added) plants need nutrients, water, air,

light and a place to grow to survive

• 1.1c (observations are made from multiple positions to achieve a variety of perspectives and are repeated to assure accuracy).

• 1.1e: nonstandard measurement only, measurement of temperature added.

• 1.6c: relative position of the sun (the sun relative position in the morning is east and in the

late afternoon is west).

Grade one

Spring 2012 Division Summary of Science SOL

796 Students Tested86.93 % Passing

Mean Scale Score (out of 50)

Scientific Investigation 40.0Force, Motion, Energy & Matter 38.3Life Processes and Living Systems 38.6Earth/Space Systems and Cycles 37.3

Grade 3 Science SOL

Areas of Strength: Yeah! 93-95% correct in division

Analyzing a table for data Interpreting bar graphs Properties of objects changing as size changes Recognizing simple machines within a complex

machine Survival adaptations of animals Recycling of natural resources Seasonal variation in plants Measuring time to the minute The process of evaporation

From the Spring 2012 3rd G. Science SOL “Student Performance by Question Report”

Areas of Growth (Can you help?) 50-70% correct in division

Purpose of simple machinesMagnetism in a magnetic compassWhat mixes with waterThe interdependency of plants and animalsProducers and consumers in our environmentUnlimited energy resourcesMethods of data collection to understand weather

patterns

From the Spring 2012 3rd G. Science SOL “Student Performance by Question Report”

Let’s talk about the position of the sun in the sky.