Science at GICS
 

The science room is a busy place, with students observing, experimenting, and drawing very thoughtful conclusions.  We have a strong Environmental Studies program, and are proud to say that we were named an official Maryland Green School in 2006.  Our year is full of activities that take advantage of our unique setting and that offer our students an opportunity to study and help our environment.

Be sure to read our Monthly Highlights following the Curriculum Overview.

Curriculum Overview

Pre-Kindergarten

     The science program for Pre-Kindergarten takes place both in the homeroom and in the weekly science class.  In science class, taught once a week, students explore their world through hands-on activities that nurture their curiosity and lead to student derived questioning.  In the science classroom, we let discovery and observations guide us on our journey of learning life, earth and physical sciences.

     We compare living things to non-living things using grouping skills, and learn to differentiate animals from plants.  We explore the Earth’s surface and investigate the day and nighttime skies.  Seasonal changes are examined as we realize how people, animals, and plants are affected by the weather.  Our unit on matter introduces children to liquids, solids, and gases.  Health and hygiene habits are reinforced in the science class along with identification of external parts of the body.

     The Pre-Kindergarten study fish of the Chesapeake Bay during our annual Bay Week.  Children learn to identify adaptations that enable the fish to thrive in our estuary.  The class goes fishing on the pier to observe some live specimens.  Their Environmental Studies project teaches them about the importance of energy and water conservation.  Field trips have included nature trail hikes, activities on the pier, and the Baltimore Aquarium.

Kindergarten

     The science program for the Kindergarten takes place both in the homeroom and in the weekly science class.  In science class, taught twice a week, students explore their world through hands-on activities that nurture their curiosity and lead to student derived questioning.  In the science classroom, we let discovery and observations guide us on our journey of learning life, earth and physical sciences.

      We learn how grouping skills are used in taxonomy.  Students are introduced to the five kingdoms and practice classifying skills.  Plant growth is observed as we learn parts and life requirements of plants.  Life cycles are explored through observing butterfly metamorphosis.  The Kindergarten compares different land and water formations on the Earth’s surface and identifies the various plants and animals that inhabit each one.  A unit on the solar system teaches the students to identify the sun and planets that orbit this star.  Cause and effect relationships are identified as a result of seasonal changes.  Concepts of density and mass are investigated as they practice measurement using a scale.  Reinforcement of health and hygiene occurs in the science class, as the study of germs will shed light on how and why people get sick.  Internal body parts are introduced and function of each is explored.

     The Kindergarten study Butterfly Gardens and the importance of native plants during our annual Bay Week.  Students will plant milkweed plants from seed and document growth during the year.  We will obtain butterfly larvae and watch metamorphosis in the science classroom.  Students will plant their milkweed and disperse mature butterflies in a garden on the school property.  Field trips have included nature trial hikes, activities on the pier, and the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center.

First Grade

     The science program for First grade takes place bi-weekly in the science room.  A hands-on approach is used to explore life, earth, and physical sciences.  Students are encouraged to expand their perspective on observations and begin to learn how to make predictions and explanations.

     During the year we will study the diverse groups of invertebrates as we continue to hone our classification skills.  Habitats and food chains of these spineless creatures will be examined.  Experiments with various sediment types are conducted to determine rock, soil, and water interactions.  Students will learn to identify constellations in the nighttime sky as they practice using a compass and other orientation skills.  We will identify cause and effect relationships among temperature, rainfall, wind, and clouds.  Activities with magnets will create an understanding of magnetic fields.  Health and hygiene habits are reinforced in science class along with the identification of internal body systems.

     The First grade studies the Diamondback Terrapin turtle during our annual Bay Week.  Children learn about the life history of this reptile and understand its role in the estuary ecosystem.  Their Environmental Studies project involves raising two Terrapin turtles to measure growth changes and graph results.  The turtles are released during a field trip to Poplar Island in the spring. Other field trips taken in the past have included nature trail hikes, activities on the pier, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, and Maryland Science Center.

Second Grade

     The science program for Second grade takes place bi-weekly in the science room.  A hands-on approach is used to explore life, earth, and physical sciences.  Students are encouraged to use their observation skills to develop questions that require research or experimentation to answer.  Second graders will begin to write scientifically as they learn to document observations, and data to develop written conclusions.

     A study of the Plant kingdom will reinforce classification skills and taxonomy.  We will investigate changes over time that occur on earth through examining dinosaurs and fossils.  Students will learn how the rotation and revolution of the Earth affect seasonal changes.  Research on various types of storms such as thunderstorms, blizzards, tornadoes, and hurricanes will be conducted to determine causes and effects.  We will take a closer look at changes of matter and understand the properties of solids, liquids and gases.  Experiments on light and sound will enhance students understanding of the five senses, structures of, and how they function.

     The Second Grade studies birds of the Chesapeake Bay during our annual Bay Week.  Their Environmental Studies Project focuses on enhancing the interpretive Nature Trail.  In the past the Second Grade has designed educational signs, built habitat structures, and conducted bird surveys.  Field trips have included nature trail hikes, activities on the pier, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Maryland Science Center, Bluebird Box Monitoring on Gibson Island, and Osprey Platform Monitoring on Gibson Island.

Third Grade

     The science program for the Third grade takes place in the science room three times a week.  Third-graders are introduced to the scientific method and are involved in a variety of hands-on activities and experiments as they explore the life, earth, and physical sciences.  Skills addressed are: observing patterns, forming hypotheses, problem solving, interpreting data, and developing conclusions. Students use previous knowledge and experience in developing inquiry-based questions. They build upon these authentic questions using the appropriate steps of the scientific method.

     Using techniques of classification students will learn to identify various types of Protists.  Third Grade will conduct research on these organisms and use microscopes to observe physical characteristics.  We will gain an understanding of our nations natural resources and learn ways to incorporate conservation in our day-to-day lives.  A comparison of the Sun and Moon will help to understand far away celestial objects.  Movements of the moon and earth will be investigated to understand eclipses.  Students will use meteorological instruments to understand properties of temperature, humidity, air pressure, and precipitation.  Cloud formations will be studied and used to forecast weather patterns.  Experiments with energy will help to explain the movement of objects, how it changes matter, and how it is measured. Examining preserved specimens will aid our exploration of the muscular and skeletal systems.

     The Third Grade studies bridges and tunnels of the Chesapeake Bay during our annual Bay Week.  The Environmental Studies project focuses on the oyster population problem.  Third Grade participates in a Chesapeake Bay Foundation project called Oyster Gardening.  The students raise oyster spat on our pier as they monitor water quality and growth of spat. Data is taken monthly and graphs are produced for analysis.  During a field trip at the end of the year the oyster spat are placed on a sanctioned oyster reef in the Magothy River.  Other field trips taken in the past include nature trail hikes, activities on the pier, Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center, Maryland Science Center, and University of Maryland’s Biotechnology Education Center.

Fourth Grade

     The science program for the Fourth Grade takes place in the science room three times a week.  Fourth-graders are introduced to the scientific method and are involved in a variety of hands-on activities and experiments as they explore the life, earth, and physical sciences.  Skills addressed are: observing patterns, forming hypotheses, problem solving, interpreting data, and developing conclusions.  Students use previous knowledge and experience in developing inquiry-based questions.  They build upon these authentic questions using the appropriate steps of the scientific method.

     Using techniques of classification students will learn to identify various types of Fungi.  The Fourth Grade will investigate the life cycle of fungi and explore the uses and dangers that are characteristic of this kingdom.  Students will perform experiments that help to explain how the land on Earth got its shape.  We will investigate forces of water, wind, and ice on various land formations.  Students will create models of planetary distance and size to understand the scope of our solar system.  They will compare asteroids and comets and observe the smallest of meteorites that have landed on Earth.  The Fourth Grade will understand the differences between weather and climate.  Students will do research on various climates such as taiga, tundra, desert, rainforest, and savanna.  Properties of electricity will be examined as they learn what causes electricity, and how the energy is used.  During a unit on the human body students will understand the function of the Respiratory and Circulatory systems.  Structures of these systems will be observed from preserved specimens.  Human development and hygiene concerns are discussed as the students approach the pre-teen years.

     The Fourth Grade studies the culture and history of the rivers of the Chesapeake Bay during our annual Bay Week.  Their Environmental Studies project involves submerged aquatic vegetation.  The students participate in a Chesapeake Bay Foundation project called Bay Grasses in the Classes.  We will grow Redhead grass in the classroom and experiment with physical parameters that may affect the growth rate.  In June, the students will go on a field trip to plant the grasses in a local tributary.  Field trips taken in the past have included nature trail hikes, activities on the pier, Echo Hill Outdoor School, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Baltimore Harbor Boat Program, and the Maryland Science Center.

Fifth Grade

     The science program for the Fifth Grade takes place in the science room three times a week.  Fifth-graders are introduced to the scientific method and are involved in a variety of hands-on activities and experiments as they explore the life, earth, and physical sciences.  Skills addressed are: observing patterns, forming hypotheses, problem solving, interpreting data, and developing conclusions.  Students use previous knowledge and experience in developing inquiry-based questions.  They build upon these authentic questions using the appropriate steps of the scientific method.

     Using techniques of classification students will learn to identify various types of bacteria.  Students hone their skills on the compound light microscope to examine the diverse world of bacteria.  Research is done to learn uses and dangers of this kingdom.  Experiments with plants help us to understand the process of photosynthesis and cellular respiration.  The Fifth Grade takes on roles of a geologist as they learn to identify unknown minerals using a dichotomous key.  The rock cycle is also examined.  Theories on the formation of the universe are discussed and contemplated as we learn how astronomers measure distance and composition of stars.  We will learn various types of simple machines and experiment to find out how they reduce work.  An investigation on the Nervous System will help to discover how toxins can affect the human body’s performance.  Human development and hygiene concerns are discussed as the students approach the pre-teen years.

     The Fifth Grade studies sources of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay watershed during our annual Bay Week.  Their Environmental Studies project determines the effect of Reef Balls under the GICS pier.  The Fifth Grade uses the scientific method to conduct a fishing survey on the pier.  The process is documented in a scientific paper at the end of the year.  Field trips have included nature trail hikes, activities on the pier, Echo Hill Outdoor School, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Skipjack Program, Maryland Science Center, and University of Maryland’s Biotechnology Education Center.
              

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Science Highlights

  May & June 2008 

To All Parents:  Since we are a Green School, I believe it is necessary for our children to learn how to lessen our impact on the planet. I have been giving weekly presentations during morning meetings on recycling. More importantly, we have also been talking about reducing and reusing, but I need your help on this one. If it is at all possible, please send your child with food that has fewer wrappers or food that is in reusable containers. Remember that the little plastic cups that jello, pudding, yogurt, and fruit come in are NOT recyclable. Thank you for your help.
 

Pre-K:  We have just started to look at the life cycle of birds. The students will spend time outside looking for birds and birds’ nests. We have also been keeping a close eye on the finch’s nest just outside the science room.
 

Kindergarten:  The kindergarteners will begin to study mass and density. We will have several labs where the students will investigate how to find the mass of an object and why that matters. Later this month we will investigate the animals of the Chesapeake Bay.
 

1^st Grade:  We have started a unit on rocks and minerals. The students will discover the different types of rocks and how they are formed. Later this month we will look at the geology of the Chesapeake Bay area.
 

2^nd Grade:  We are finishing a unit on the birds of this area. The students will discover how the adaptations of a bird help it survive just by using its feet and beak. We will later look at adaptations of other plants and animals.
 

3^rd Grade:  We have just started a unit on energy. The students will investigate the many forms of energy and how they affect the planet. We will then study motion, Newton’s Laws, and the physical properties of matter.
 

4^th Grade:  We are finishing a long unit on animals by studying the vertebrate phylum. After their presentations, we will start to look at the geographic features of the Chesapeake Bay.
 

5^th Grade:  The students have just finished their projects for Bay Week. We will spend the rest of the school year building holding tanks for the dock. These tanks will allow us to view some of the plants and animals that we find in the Magothy River.

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