Course Outline

Learners in the early elementary years have a natural curiosity about the world around them. They explore the world with their senses. The primary- grade 3 science program is an inquiry-based, hands-on program that encourages learners to discover the world around them by manipulating materials, gathering evidence by making direct observations, and talking and writing about what they are learning.  Learners will conduct investigations by asking questions, making plans and predictions, gathering evidence and evaluating their own thinking and the thinking of others.

The focus of the primary - grade 3 science curriculum is to support the development of scientific inquiry. Learners in P-3 will develop proficiency in the concepts of scientific processes, allowing them to become increasingly independent as the level of investigation becomes more sophisticated. 

Learners will investigate sand and water through the senses

Sand and water provide a physical experience that is accessible and familiar from which learners ask big questions and begin to gather observational evidence. Learners will learn to differentiate among their senses and explore the types of information that they gather with each sense. Learners will be able to express their observations using descriptive vocabulary specific to each sense. Through the investigation of sand and water, learners will gain an understanding of cause and effect and begin to explore the control of variables. Learners will be challenged to make predictions and explain their thinking. Learners will begin to gain an understanding of how tools enhance their observations of the world around them.

Learners will compare living things through the senses

The detailed investigation of various living things provides learners with an opportunity to ask questions and explore the natural world around them using their senses. Learners will build their descriptive vocabulary and practice their skill of observation. Learners will observe living things to note their appearance, behaviours, similarities and differences. Learners will use these observations to classify living things. The investigation of living things also provides an introduction to data collection and the representation of data for others to interpret. Learners will observe various living things as they change over time in the environment. This is the foundation of environmental education and begins to build the understanding of the importance of biodiversity.

Learners will investigate materials through the senses

Through an investigation of various materials, learners will make observations to note appearance, characteristics, similarities and differences. Learners will use these observations to classify materials. Learners will also explore how properties of materials may change. Learners will be challenged to make predictions based on evidence gathered through observations made using the senses. Learners will be asked to use descriptive vocabulary to explain their observations and their thinking. Learners will also build on their understanding of cause and effect and continue the exploration of control of variables.

Learners will test movement of objects

With this outcome, learners will observe, describe, and discuss a variety of moving things, including themselves. Learners will ask big questions about how things move and the different types of movement. Using ramps, learners will explore ideas of cause and effect and experiment with the various ways they are able to affect the movement of objects. Learners will be challenged to make and test predictions of how objects will move based on observational evidence of properties of objects. Learners will also explore the sense of balance within themselves and explore ways to balance objects in their environment.

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