Elementary School Science

Students enrolled in a Minneapolis Public School learn science with through an inquiry-based approach. This approach uses science kits that are provided to all elementary classrooms on a rotational basis. These kits are hands-on and interactive for the students. Living materials and science supplies are provided in the kits. 

High Five: Your child will learn about the practice of science and engineering, properties of materials, introduction to physical science, similarities and differences in human characteristics, and explore their senses.

• Core Science Module Descriptors (PDF)

Kindergarten: Your child will learn about the practice of science and engineering, matter and their physical properties, weather, natural systems, and non-living and living organisms including the different parts of a plant and of an animal.

• Science Year-at-a-glance (YAG) (PDF)
• Core Science Module Descriptors (PDF)

Grade 1: Your child will learn about the practice of science, system interactions (natural and man-made), earth materials such as rocks and soil, observable characteristics of living things and their behaviors, and life cycles of plants
and animals.

• Science Year-at-a-glance (YAG) (PDF)
• Core Science Module Descriptors (PDF)

Grade 2: Your child will learn about the practice of science and engineering, matter and their physical properties, motion of objects, weather, observable characteristics of living things and their behaviors, natural systems, and life cycles of plants and animals. 

• Science Year-at-a-glance (YAG) (PDF)
• General kit information (PDF)

Grade 3: Your child will learn about the practice of science and engineering, history of men and women in science, energy (sound and light), the patterns of motion of the sun, moon and earth, observable characteristics of living things and the inheritable and acquired traits from parents to their offspring.

• Science Year-at-a-glance (YAG) (PDF)
• Core Science Module Descriptors (PDF)

Grade 4: Your child will learn about the practice of science and engineering, properties of matter (solids, liquids, gases), energy (heat and electromagnetism), earth materials such as rocks and minerals, water cycle, germs and diseases, and human influences on Earth.

• Science Year-at-a-glance (YAG) (PDF)
• Core Science Module Descriptors (PDF)

Grade 5: Your child will learn about the practice of science and engineering, history of men and women in science, machines and motion, earth processes (ex. landslides and volcanic eruptions), human influences on Earth, and natural systems in Minnesota.

• Science Year-at-a-glance (YAG) (PDF)
• Core Science Module Descriptors (PDF)