I use the district FOSS Science Program for my curriculum. Each FOSS module used contains inquiry based investigations that provide students with opportunities to observe objects and to think and ask questions about what they know, what they want to learn, and what is causing them to inquire, test their ideas in logical ways, and generate explanations that integrate the new information into deeper learning. Students love the inquiry based units because it provides students a "hands-on" approach to science in the classroom with some pretty complex concepts such as biology and earth science.
In May third graders participate in a school wide science fair, by investigating a concept on their own, producing a bulletin board, and showcasing the materials using the scientific process to show their learning.
Students also go on many field trips and have real world experiences of going to the zoo, studying within the district's classroom based living forest, and going to lthe Oxmoor Farm to learn about growing plants in a Kentucky environment.
In May third graders participate in a school wide science fair, by investigating a concept on their own, producing a bulletin board, and showcasing the materials using the scientific process to show their learning.
Students also go on many field trips and have real world experiences of going to the zoo, studying within the district's classroom based living forest, and going to lthe Oxmoor Farm to learn about growing plants in a Kentucky environment.