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Ringwood Science: Preparing Students for a Complex World
Our Mission and Vision
Our Mission and Vision
In alignment with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Science (NJSLS-S), we believe that scientific and technological advances now permeate every aspect of 21st-century life. Our mission is to ensure all students possess the scientific understanding required for personal decision-making, civic participation, and future STEM careers.
We strive to prepare scientifically literate individuals who can:
Apply scientific thinking to real-world phenomena.
Engage in systems thinking and modeling to solve problems.
Conduct investigations and participate in evidence-based discussions.
Evaluate multiple sources of information to develop well-reasoned claims
How We Teach: The "Three Dimensions" of Science
Science and Engineering Practices
Science and Engineering Practices
Students do science by asking questions, developing models, and designing solutions.
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Disciplinary Core Ideas
Students learn the fundamental content in Physical, Life, and Earth/Space Sciences.
Crosscutting Concepts
Crosscutting Concepts
Students find connections across all science disciplines, such as "Patterns," "Cause and Effect," and "Structure and Function"
Curriculum Roadmap (K-8)
Curriculum Roadmap (K-8)
Elementary School: Building Foundations
Elementary School: Building Foundations
Kindergarten: Weather, Pushes/Pulls, Effects of the Sun, and the Basic Needs of Living Things.
Grade 1: Light and Sound, Space Systems (Patterns/Cycles), and Structure and Function.
Grade 2: Material Magic (Matter), Work of Water (Earth Systems), and Animal/Plant Adventures.
Grade 3: Animals Through Time (Fossils), Power of Flowers, Stormy Skies (Weather), and Invisible Forces (Magnetism).
Intermediate School: Deepening Investigation
Intermediate School: Deepening Investigation
Grade 4: Weathering/Erosion, Earth’s Processes, Structures/Functions, Information Processing, Transfer of Energy, and Waves/Information.
Grade 5: Space Systems, Earth's Systems, Energy/Matter in Ecosystems, and Properties of Matter.
Note: 4th and 5th grades include dedicated Engineering Design projects.
Middle School: Modeling and Complexity
Middle School: Modeling and Complexity
Grade 6 (Earth & Space): Tools of the Scientist, Earth Processes, Atmosphere, Earth’s Place in the Universe, and Human Activity.
Grade 7 (Life Science): Cell Structure/Function, Body Systems, Inheritance, Natural Selection/Evolution, and Ecosystems.
Grade 8 (Physical Science): Matter and its Interactions, Atoms/Elements, Chemical Reactions, Motion/Stability, and Waves.
Our Multi-Program Resource Approach
To provide the best possible experience, we do not rely on a single textbook. Instead, we curate high-quality materials from multiple sources to enhance the NJ standards:
Mystery Science: Our primary anchor for K-5, providing hands-on, phenomena-based lessons.
STEMScopes: A digital and hands-on resource that helps students dive deeper into inquiry.
Discovery Education: Provides virtual labs and interactive digital content.
Literacy Integration: We emphasize scientific reading through Reading A-Z, ReadWorks, and specialized online non-fiction platforms.
Families ask your child this:
Families ask your child this:
To connect with what happened during those 40 minutes today, try asking:
"What phenomenon did you look at in science today?"
"What evidence did you find during your investigation?"
"What problem did you try to solve?"
Example of a Lesson in Ringwood Schools
Example of a Lesson in Ringwood Schools
Science 40-Minute Period Guide.pdfPage updated
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