Science

Bacich follows the standards outlined in the California Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). We have adopted Amplify Science as our core curriculum (link to their Distance Learning resources) and the units of study are:

  • Energy Conversions
  • Vision and Light
  • Earth's Features
  • Waves, Energy, and Information

The performance expectations for all content standards help students formulate answers to questions such as: “What are waves and what are some things they can do? How can water, ice, wind and vegetation change the land? What patterns of Earth’s features can be determined with the use of maps? How do internal and external structures support the survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction of plants and animals? What is energy and how is it related to motion? How is energy transferred? How can energy be used to solve a problem?”

The crosscutting concepts of patterns; cause and effect; energy and matter; systems and system models; interdependence of science, engineering, and technology; and influence of engineering, technology, and science on society and the natural world are called out as organizing concepts for these disciplinary core ideas.

"In the fourth grade performance expectations, students are expected to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. Students are expected to use these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas." -excerpt from the NGSS DCI Arrangement of Standards document