Elementary Science & Social Studies

Why do we teach Science and Social Studies?

Learning practices related to science and social studies help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills as well as knowledgeable citizenry. Through authentic, hands-on, inquiry based experiences, students learn to connect concepts to their world.

Science investigations are a way to capture the interest of students. Our science programs, such as FOSS¹, PLTW² and EiE³, provide children with hands-on and minds-on lessons. Our students begin to learn coding in the primary grades using Scratch, and Scratch Jr., and Vex Robotics in the upper grades. High quality and engaging elementary science education is essential for establishing a sound foundation of learning across grade levels. Instilling a wonder of and enthusiasm for science lasts a lifetime, and is one way of supporting the critical need for well-informed citizenry.

Social Studies provides the foundation that enables students to understand, participate in and make informed decisions about their world. Utilizing resources, such as C3 Inquiries and EngageNY Social Studies Toolkit, helps to provide them with skills for productive problem solving and decision making, as well as for assessing issues and making thoughtful value judgments necessary to contribute to society as a good citizen.

¹ FOSS - Full Option Science Systems

² PLTW - Project Lead the Way

³ EiE - Engineering is Elementary

SCSD Curriculum is aligned with current New York State Standards:

New York State K-12 Social Studies Framework

New York State P-12 Science Standards