Changes to the Revised British Columbia SCIENCE Curriculum: Kindergarten to Grade 7 Overall Shifts in the New BC Science Curriculum The new BC curriculum represents a fundamental shift in approach from previous curricula. The redesigned curriculum features the following new elements: The introduction of Core Competencies (communication, creative thinking, critical thinking, positive personal and cultural identity, personal awareness and responsibility, and social responsibility) are foundational to all subject areas from Kindergarten to Grade 12. They are not lesson specific, grade specific, or subject specific. Big Ideas represent what students will understand at the completion of the curriculum for their grade. They consist of generalizations and principles and the key concepts important in an area of learning are intended to endure beyond a single grade and contribute to future understanding. An increased emphasis on Curricular Competencies; Kindergarten to Grade 7 Science learning outcomes focused on skills and processes of scientific inquiry o in 2005 curriculum: 23% of the learning standards were about skills and processes o in 2016 curriculum: 71% of the learning standards are about skills and processes o increase in emphasis: 308% An increased focus on students doing hands-on scientific inquiry. First Peoples Knowledge and Perspectives are woven into every curriculum topic and skills and processes. The new expectation in Science to acquire place-based knowledge about the natural world in the area in which students live.
Content Changes in the New BC Science Curriculum The content learning standards represent a significant shift in the new Science curriculum: 80% of curriculum topics from the 2005 curriculum have been moved, modified, or removed. 84% of curriculum topics in the 2016 curriculum are new to the grade or have been modified. 82% change in the overall scope of the curriculum. KINDERGARTEN Surroundings (Earth/Space Science) [Modified] The motion of objects depends on their properties (Physics) [Was Grade 1] Daily and seasonal changes affect all living things [Was Grade 1] GRADE 1 Force and Motion (Physics) [Now Kindergarten] Daily and Seasonal Changes [Now Kindergarten] Matter is useful because of its properties (Chemistry) [Was Kindergarten and Grade 3] Light and sound can be produced and their properties can be changed (Physics) [Was Grade 4] Observable patterns and cycles occur in the local sky and landscape (Earth/Space Science) [Was Grade 3] 2
GRADE 2 Properties of Matter (Chemistry) [Now Grades 2 and 4] Living things have life cycles adapted to their environment (Biology) [Now includes plants] Materials can be changed through physical and chemical processes (Chemistry) [Emphasis on physical and chemical changes] Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment (Earth/Space Science) [Air and soil removed] Forces influence the motion of an object (Physics) [Was Grade 1] GRADE 3 Plant Growth and Changes (Biology) [Now Grade 3 and 4] Materials and Structures (Physics) [Now Grade 1] Stars and Planets [Now Grades 4 and 6] Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems (Biology) [Modified from Grades 3, 4 and 7] All matter is made of particles (Chemistry) [Was Grade 7] Thermal energy can be produced and transferred Wind, water, and ice change the shape of the land [Was Grade 5] 3
GRADE 4 Habitats and Communities (Biology) [Now Grades 3 and 4] Light and Sound (Physics) [Now Grade 1] Weather [Now Grade 1] All living things sense and respond to their environment (Biology) [Modified from Grades 3 and 4] Matter has mass, takes up space, and can change phase (Chemistry) [Was Grade 2] Energy can be transformed The motion of Earth and the moon cause observable patterns that affect living and non-living systems [Was Grades 3 and 7] GRADE 5 Earth materials change as they move through the rock cycle and can be used as natural resources [Now focused on interconnectedness] Solutions are homogeneous (Chemistry) Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment. (Biology) [Nervous system removed] 4
GRADE 6 Electricity (Physics) [Now Grade 7] Exploration of Extreme Environments (Earth/Space Science) [Modified] Multicellular organisms have organ systems that enable them to survive and interact within their environment. (Biology) [Was Grades 5 and 8] Everyday materials are often mixtures (Chemistry) [Was Grade 7] Newton s three laws of motion describe the relationship between force and motion The solar system is part of the Milky Way, which is one of billions of galaxies (Earth/Space Science) [Was Grade 9] GRADE 7 Ecosystems (Biology) [Now Grades 3 and 4] Chemistry (Chemistry) [Now Grades 3 and 7] Earth s Crust (Earth/Space Science) [Now Grade 8] Evolution by natural selection provides an explanation for the diversity and survival of living things (Biology) [Was Grade 11] The electromagnetic force produces both electricity and magnetism (Physics) [Was Grade 6] Earth and its climate have changed over geological time [Was Grade 10] 5