Welcome to the Grade K-5 Science Hub. Here you will find resources to support you with lessons, access state resources, provide access to past presentations, and be a go-to place for all things K-5 Science.
Embedded Files
Did you know? New ELA standards have been adopted and will be implemented in the 27-28 SY! View the FAQ and installation timeline to learn more
Curriculum Resources
General Resources
General Resources
Formative Assessment Probes
Formative Assessment Probes
Formative assessment probes are a great way to assess student knowledge when it comes to science topics. Each school has a copy of the books referenced in the guides linked below.
Academic Discourse Playbook
Academic Discourse Playbook
NCDPI ELA Team is excited to announce the release of a new resource to support student discourse in the K-12 classroom and across content areas. Inside, find three recommendations to support student discussion and writing in response to text, content topics, etc., and enrich learning and comprehension. Embedded throughout are resources, including sample anchor charts, note-catchers, and graphic organizers. All resources are provided in an editable template format so that educators can adapt and modify them as needed to suit the needs of their students.
K-5 Science Terms
K-5 Science Terms
The North Carolina K-5 Science Standards emphasize a three-dimensional learning approach, incorporating Disciplinary Core Ideas, Science and Engineering Practices, and Crosscutting Concepts. This vocabulary list is compiled from common terms found within the unpacked content and related resources for these standards and was created using AI. It's important to note that specific vocabulary will vary slightly by grade level and individual curriculum implementation. Vocabulary lists can be edited by grade-level teachers as needed.
Parent/Caregiver Guide
Parent/Caregiver Guide
Parents, extended family, caretakers, teachers, and principals are all part of a community working together to connect science learning between home and school, expanding the view of where children learn science. The guides below are intended to support the school-home-community connections that are so important to student success. To support families, communities, and teachers in realizing the goals of the 2023 North Carolina K-12 Science Standards, these guides provide an overview of the learning expectations for students studying K-12 science.
Professional Development
Professional Development
The NCDPI K-12 Science Team has provided and continues to provide support related to Science standards, curriculum, and instruction. You can register for upcoming professional development opportunities and view past recordings, slide sets, and resources provided by the NCDPI K-12 Science team using the link below.
READY for CHECKOUT! - Science Kits
READY for CHECKOUT! - Science Kits
Instructions for Kit Use
Instructions for Kit Use
DCS has both Smithsonian (Carolina) and FOSS science kits available for checkout through the C&I Office. The kits are stocked with materials to provide hands-on inquiry-based standards-aligned lessons for students. Kits also include teacher guides, reading materials, and online options.
To Check out a kit...
Check the standards alignment and the kit availability below. Please note that there are 3 of each kit available for checkout. Make sure to request the correct kit for the standards being taught and that the time for checkout matches with pacing. To start, one 5th-grade kit will be available for checkout per school but this may change as the checkout process is adjusted.
Complete the Science Kit Checkout Form. A response will be sent. Make sure to read the response email.
Once approved for checkout, kits may be picked up in the C&I Office at MEC or delivered to the school. There is a week lead time to allow for delivery and restocking kits as they are returned.
A reminder email response will be sent as the end date for checkout approaches. Kits may be checked out for 5 weeks. This length of time may change as feedback is collected. If the kit is needed for a longer time, please contact Cherri White (whitec@davie.k12.nc, ext 300014).
Science Kit Standards Alignment
Science Kit Standards Alignment
Resources
Resources
These free K-8 content resources are developed by cohorts of educators and focus on blended learning and student-centered learning experiences.
The Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund is available to K-12 public schools in the state, with priority given to schools with a higher percentage of lower-income students. The fund will offer reimbursements to public schools that visit sites managed by DNCR, including state parks, historic sites, museums, aquariums, and the zoo.
FREE Resources Available
FREE Resources Available
Links below are to various national and state departments, agencies, and companies that provide free resources to teachers. Resources include educational videos, lessons (need to vet for alignment), data sets, mobile buses and vans for outreach, virtual programs, and opportunities for guest speakers to visit classrooms.
Nature and Science Education - NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
Soil & Water - Education Programs - NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Environmental Education - Project Learning Tree
Materials and Resources - NC Forestry Association
Outreach and Education / NC Geological Survey / NC Division of Water Resources- NC Department of Environmental Quality
Topics and Resources - US Department of Agriculture
Education and Outreach - Appalachian State University Geological and Environmental Sciences
Teacher Resources - National Energy Education Development
NC State Extension - NC State University
Advancing STEM (Strategies that Engage the Mind) - NC Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education Center
Teacher Center - Vulcan Materials
Learn - NC Museum of Natural Science
Educational State Forests - NC Forest Service
Fuel Up - National Dairy Council
Ag in the Classroom - NC Farm Bureau
Citizen Science
Citizen Science
Citizen science allows students to engage in real-world science by participating in the actual scientific research process. Citizen science promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, fosters environmental and social responsibility, helps students develop collaboration and communication skills, and provides an authentic hands-on learning experience. Projects can span multiple contents and incorporate multiple SEPs (Science and Engineering Practices). Using established projects and platforms can save teachers time and money.
TL4CS - National Science Foundation
CitizenScience.gov - U.S. General Services Administration
Citizen Science - NASA
STEM / Building K-5 Engineers
STEM / Building K-5 Engineers
Davie County Schools is part of the current cohort of districts participating in Building K-5 Engineers. An introduction to STEM and the Engineering Design Process was offered at Davie Experience.
NC Standards Aligned Activities - Educators from across the state attended summer workshops to create new engineering activities tied directly to the new NC Science Standards. The matrix houses these activities as well as all the past activities available on Go Open NC. In the coming months, activities will be converted to a more user-friendly Google Slides format
Self-Paced Course: Getting Started with Engineering Design Process for K-5: There is a micro-credential course, created BY teachers FOR teachers. The teachers who completed it last year had nothing but rave reviews, so take it yourself or share it with colleagues! Self-paced and practical- More info available at k5engineers.org/pd.
Grants
Grants
Approximately 600 grants are awarded annually by our state’s electric cooperatives for projects that improve classroom instruction and utilize innovative teaching methods. Applications are accepted from teachers in a variety of disciplines, including music, art, history, reading, science, technology, math, and engineering, just to name a few, and educators may apply as individuals or as a team.
Search a list of funding opportunities for school and community environmental education projects.
North Carolina Farm Bureau is happy to provide agricultural outreach grants to North Carolina teachers through our Ag in the Classroom . . . Going Local program. These grants are valued up to $500. Going Local Grants help educators provide Pre-K through collegiate-level students with valuable, real-world education and experiences directly related to the agricultural industry and the NC Standard Course of Study. Teachers practicing in private and public North Carolina schools, colleges, and universities are encouraged to apply.
The Promoting Innovation in Science and Mathematics (PRISM) awards enhance the excitement for STEM in the classroom by providing funds for materials, equipment, and supplies related to the implementation of high-quality curriculum and activities in the classroom.
This award provides up to $3,000 for one year to cover the cost of equipment, materials, and supplies. An additional $1,500 may be requested for professional development related to the implementation of new equipment or the use of materials in the classroom. Awards are made to teaching professionals who hold a professional educator's license to teach in a North Carolina K-12 public school. The deadline to apply is September 30 at 3 p.m.
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