Elementary Science in OUSD

Wonder. Talk. Make Sense.

In Oakland Unified, elementary science is more than a subject—it’s a space for wonder, discovery, and belonging. Grounded in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and taught through the FOSS curriculum, our approach engages students as sense-makers who explore real-world phenomena, ask questions, and build understanding through hands-on investigation and meaningful discussion.

We believe that every child brings curiosity, insight, and unique experiences to the science classroom. That’s why our instruction centers on inclusive routines, purposeful discourse, and developmentally appropriate tasks that allow students to investigate deeply and explain their thinking. Lessons are intentionally sequenced to build knowledge across units and grade levels—ensuring that students not only learn science, but learn how to think like scientists.

Elementary science in OUSD reflects our broader commitment to coherence, rigor, and student identity. Through structured talk, observation, and modeling, students construct explanations, revise ideas, and connect learning to their lives and communities. Teachers support this work through collaborative planning, language-rich scaffolds, and a shared belief in students’ capacity to do challenging, meaningful science.

In every grade and classroom, science is an opportunity to see the world differently—and to see oneself as a capable, curious learner within it.