The Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for Science reinforce a different way of thinking about science education.  There is a shift from covering the material to mastering the concepts.  Big Ideas interlace between grade levels, gradually increasing in complexity and depth. 

The Nature of Science

(Throughout the School Year)

​The Practice of Science

- define a specific problem, interpret data, and defend conclusions from explorations/investigations

- recognize and describe differences between observations and interpretations

The characteristics of Scientific Knowledge

- recognize and explain that science is grounded in empirical observations of the natural world

Life Science

(September - November)

Organization & Development of Living Things

- identify organs in the human body

- compare and contrast the functions of parts of plants and animals

Diversity & Evolution of Living Organisms

- describe how environmental changes affect plants and animals

Interdependence

- compare and contrast adaptations of animals and plants for things like seasonal changes

Earth & Space Science

(November - January)

Earth in Space & Time

- focus is on the composition of galaxies, especially our Solar System in the Milky Way Galaxy

Earth Systems & Patterns

- recognize factors that impact weather in a particular place

- model the water cycle and distinguish between different forms of precipitation

5th Grade Science