K-6 Science

Children are naturally curious and wonder endlessly about how things work and why things are the way they are. They use scientific skills each and every day – observing, identifying, classifying, and predicting. You don’t have to learn the ins and outs of all scientific principles to support your child’s scientific development; you only have to share their enthusiasm for discovery! You can encourage their exploration of the unknown by listening to their wonders, asking them questions, and providing them opportunities to discover. At right are a few ideas on how families can help at home.

In each grade students demonstrate the scientific inquiry methods of observing, questioning, hypothesizing, researching, analyzing, and drawing conclusions as they take part in different units of study.

In the fifth grade Food Chemistry unit, for example, students investigate basic nutrients found in the foods we eat. Through a series of physical and chemical tests, students discover which nutrients—starches, glucose, fats, and proteins—are found in common foods. Through reading selections they also learn more about the role these nutrients play in human health and how these nutrients are related to the growth and development of their bodies.

HOW FAMILIES CAN HELP AT HOME

	Conduct sink or float experiments to explore density, volume, and cause and effect.
	Make different sounds and have your child guess what they area – ask your child what clues led to their guesses.
	Have your child assist you in the kitchen. Cooking involves science as foods transform right before your eyes. Talk about the changes that are taking place.
	Always encourage your child to wonder!

RESOURCES

	Curriculum Night
	Parent Conferences
	Child’s teachers
	Local Public library
	School library

Internet:

	MBSD Homepage and our individual school websites have many links to science projects that are taking place in our schools - www.mtbaker.wednet.ed
	http://school.discovery.com/schrockguide/sci-tech/scigs.html