Social Studies and Science

This year we will be focusing on a mix of 2nd & 3rd grade social studies & science standards. Due to time constraints, we typically alternate between science and social studies units. See below if you are interested in seeing some of the topics that we are going to be learning about.


Please note that this is not the exact sequence of our units, merely an overview.

Science

We use STEMscopes for our Science curriculum. It is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and is built around the 5E inquiry model; engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate.


PS2: Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

  • Forces and Motion

    • Objects and Motion

  • Types of Interactions

    • Electric and Magnetic Forces

LS1: From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

  • Growth and Development of Organisms

    • Life Cycles

LS2: Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics

  • Social Interactions and Group Behavior

LS3: Heredity: Inheritance and Variation of Traits

  • Inheritance and Variation of Traits

  • Environmental Traits

LS4: Biological Evolution: Unity and Diversity

  • Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity

    • Plant and Animal Extinction

    • Fossils

  • Natural Selection

    • Survival of the Fittest

  • Adaptations

  • Biodiversity and Humans

    • Environmental Changes and Effects

ESS2: Earth's Systems

  • Weather and Climate

ESS3: Earth and Human Activity

  • Natural Hazards

    • Processes and Impacts of Natural Hazards

Social Studies

We use Teacher Created Materials for our Social Studies curriculum. It uses a combination of content-area student readers, primary sources, and reader's theater to engage students promote inquiry-based learning.


  • Launch Unit: Communities

    • Student Readers:

      • Doing Your Part

  • Unit: Geography

    • Student Readers:

      • Mapping Our Nation (2)

      • Geographic Features (3)

      • Our Natural Resources (3)

      • America’s Man-Made Landmarks (3)

      • America’s Natural Landmarks (3)

  • Unit: Civics and Government (2nd)

    • Student Readers:

      • You and the US Government (2)

      • You and the Law (2)

      • Diplomacy Makes a Difference (2)

      • Camping Constitution - Readers’ Theater (2)

      • Our Government (3)

      • Our Nation’s Capital (3)

      • Declaring Our Independence - Reader’s Theater(3)

      • The US Constitution and You (3)

  • Unit: American Indians of California (3rd)

    • Student Readers:

      • California Indians (3)

  • Unit: Sunol History