SCIENCE
CURRICULUM
FRAMEWORK
Developed 2005-06
Implemented 2006-07
Mountain Brook Schools
#3 Church Street
Mountain Brook, AL 35213
SCIENCE
CURRICULUM
FRAMEWORK
Mountain Brook Schools
Board of Education
Gary London, Chairman
Lynn Lloyd, Vice Chairman
Eli Capilouto
Mike Thompson
Jane Menendez
Dr. Charles Mason
Superintendent
Jackie Simons
Director of Instruction
Table of Contents
Vision, Mission, Goals........................................................................................................................ i
Curriculum Development and Materials Adoption Process .............................................................. ii
Curriculum Committee ..................................................................................................................... iv
Philosophy.......................................................................................................................................... v
Goals ................................................................................................................................................. vi
Scope and Sequence
Process and Application Skills.................................................................................................2
Kindergarten ............................................................................................................................3
First Grade ...............................................................................................................................5
Second Grade ...........................................................................................................................7
Third Grade ..............................................................................................................................9
Fourth Grade ............................................................................................................................11
Fifth Grade ...............................................................................................................................14
Sixth Grade ..............................................................................................................................16
Seventh Grade ..........................................................................................................................19
Eighth Grade ............................................................................................................................21
Biology.....................................................................................................................................24
Advanced Biology ...................................................................................................................28
Chemistry .................................................................................................................................32
Advanced Chemistry................................................................................................................35
Chemistry II .............................................................................................................................39
AP Chemistry ...........................................................................................................................41
Physics .....................................................................................................................................44
AP Physics – B.........................................................................................................................46
AP Physics – C.........................................................................................................................52
Human Anatomy and Physiology ............................................................................................58
Advanced Human Anatomy and Physiology ...........................................................................61
AP Biology...............................................................................................................................64
Environmental Science ............................................................................................................69
AP Environmental Science ......................................................................................................72
Physical Science.......................................................................................................................77
Earth and Space Science ..........................................................................................................80
Forensic Science ......................................................................................................................82
Marine Science.........................................................................................................................84
Appendix
Instructional Strategies.............................................................................................................87
Engaging Instruction ................................................................................................................88
Higher Level Thinking Skills...................................................................................................92
Five E Instructional Model ......................................................................................................99
Scientific Reading ....................................................................................................................100
Special Needs Students ............................................................................................................113
Technology ..............................................................................................................................114
Health Objectives .....................................................................................................................115
Science Curriculum Flowchart ................................................................................................116
Stanford Objectives ..................................................................................................................117
Professional Organizations ......................................................................................................121
Mountain Brook Schools
Vision
Our vision is to be a world class school system, recognized as a model for quality education.
Mission
The mission of the Mountain Brook City Schools is to provide an educational environment
which enables each individual to reach his or her full potential.
Curriculum Goals
Goal #1: Develop and implement an effective, challenging, and engaging curriculum which
promotes the highest level of academic excellence and personal growth for each student.
Goal #2: Ensure that each individual is prepared to become an independent lifelong learner.
Science Philosophy
The purpose of the Mountain Brook science program is to provide a challenging,
engaging, and effective curriculum that provides opportunities for every student to become
scientifically literate. Scientific literacy enables students to use scientific principles and
processes in everyday life to make informed decisions and to solve problems.
Specifically we believe
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An effective curriculum incorporates a variety of scientific disciplines, materials and
methods, integrates appropriate technology and makes real-world connections.
All students will benefit from a hands-on, inquiry-based approach, which motivates them
to explore scientific processes in a cooperative learning environment.
The scientifically literate person is more likely to face confidently and deal effectively
with the challenges of an ever-changing global society.
The Mountain Brook Curriculum Framework is focused on providing experiences,
knowledge and skills that allow students to build understanding of both the content and the
investigative nature of science.
Science Program Goals
It is the goal of the Mountain Brook Science Curriculum to achieve scientific literacy for
all students.
Scientifically literate students
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Develop a sound basis in scientific knowledge
Make informed decisions based on scientific principles and processes in everyday life
Solve problems analytically by using the scientific process
Think creatively
Work cooperatively
Practice stewardship of natural resources
Use technology to solve problems and evaluate data
Apply science safety skills
Evaluate the validity of information
Communicate effectively using appropriate scientific terminology
Value life-long learning in science
Explore careers in the area of science
Scientific Process and Application Skills
The following skills are to be taught in all grade levels and in all courses. The depth of
instruction is determined by the age of the students and the level of the course.
Basic Skills
1. Observing – Using one or more of the senses to gather information about one’s environment.
2. Communicating – Conveying oral or written information verbally as well as visually through
models, tables, charts, and graphs.
3. Classifying – Utilizing simple groupings of objects or events based on common properties.
4. Measuring – Using appropriate metric units for measuring length, volume, and mass.
5. Predicting – Proposing possible results or outcomes of future events based on observations
and inferences drawn from previous events.
6. Inferring – Constructing an interpretation or explanation based on information gathered.
Advanced Skills
7. Controlling Variables – Recognizing the many factors that affect the outcome of events and
understanding their relationships to each other whereby one factor (variable) can be
manipulated while others are controlled.
8. Defining Operationally – Stating definitions of objects or events based on observable
characteristics.
9. Formulating Hypotheses – Making predictions of future events based on manipulation of
variables.
10. Experimenting (Controlled) – Conducting scientific investigations systematically,
including identifying and framing the question carefully, forming a hypothesis, managing
variables effectively, developing a logical experimental procedure, recording and analyzing
data, and presenting conclusions based on investigation and previous research.
11. Analyzing Data – Using collected data to accept or reject hypotheses.