North Hills Christian School Curriculum Overview: Science, Kindergarten through Grade 2
Kindergarten
First Grade
Second Grade
Primary Textbook(s) Publisher /
materials
NHCS produced materials
Science 1, Association of Christian Schools
International / Purposeful Design
Science 2, Association of Christian Schools
International / Purposeful Design
Major Goal
The students will discover that God is the
Creator of all things as they observe and
explore His creation. Emphasis upon
biblical worldview integration is found
throughout the science curriculum (K-12) at
NHCS.
This year, we seek to engage students in
investigating, observing, and thinking about
the created world. Students relate the
creative work of God to the wonders of
Creation through a Biblical world view.
Students continue investigating, observing,
and thinking about God’s creation.
Particular emphasis is given to expanding
each child's God-given curiosity as they
explore the wonders of our world.
Major themes / topics covered
Living and non-living things
Animals
Introduction to the human body
Food and nutrition
The solar system
Weather and seasons
Plants
Animal & classifications
Movement and machines
Teeth, bones, and muscles
Heart, lungs, and stomach
Seasons
Space and the solar system
Plants
Vertebrates and invertebrates
Habitats
Energy
Light
Heat
Five senses of the human body
Weather
Ocean and marine biology
Message to our parents
The students will be introduced to
discovery learning as they explore the world
around them. This year, we want to
cultivate the natural curiosity students have
for learning about the world in which God
has placed them. Students are taught to
view God as Creator, and we strive to
cultivate a sense of awe and wonder at what
He has made.
We hope to open each child’s eyes to the
wonders of God’s world. Find special ways
that your child can see science in their own
world. As your child begins to ask
questions about "the way things work," take
time for those teachable moments! Science
is something we should teach both inside
and outside of the classroom, so try to think
about the world through the lens of a seven
or eight year old. Explain the "why" and
"how" whenever possible.
As we explore God’s creation, we introduce
basic research and fact finding. Students
typically enjoy lab experiments that help
solidify concepts. This is also a good time
to begin talking with your child about
perspectives that differ from a biblical
worldview. We do not want to foster a
learning environment that protects students
to the point that we fail to prepare them.
So, we will be talking with your children
about how non-believers often deny
intelligent design because, as Romans 1 tells
us, they "suppress the knowledge of God."
Likewise, while you are at home, we urge
you to seize teachable moments that help
your child understand and defend a biblical
worldview.
North Hills Christian School Curriculum Overview: Science, Grades 3-5
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Primary Textbook(s) Publisher /
materials
Science 3, Association of Christian Schools
International / Purposeful Design
Science 4, Association of Christian Schools
International / Purposeful Design
Science 5, Association of Christian Schools
International / Purposeful Design
Major Goal
Students continue to develop an
understanding of and an appreciation for
God’s creative power as they study His
creation. Like the curriculum in prior years,
the third grade science class provides a
broad scope of knowledge designed to
expose students to a breadth of topics that
they may find engaging and interesting.
Our goal is to weave together the wonders
of the created world and a biblical
worldview. We will capitalize on engaging
students in investigating, observing and
thinking about the world around them.
Students continue to study God’s creation,
becoming increasingly familiar with the gifts
God has given mankind within the created
order, as well as how the structure, design,
and consistency of the world reflects His
attributes.
Major themes / topics covered
Plants
Matter
Simple machines
Electricity
Magnets
Human body
Rocks
Solar System
Research and the Scientific method
Design & order in creation
Energy
Heat
Motion
Force
Acquiring new information
Proficiency in Research
Measurement
Problem solving
The Scientific method
Human growth and development
Design and order
Chemical Elements
Pollution
Bacteria
Life cycles
Cell structure/functions
Disease succession
Physical/Chemical/Nuclear change
Wind and weather
Message to our parents
The NHCS science curriculum covers many
challenging topic, particularly starting in
third grade. We often hear parents and
teachers say, "I didn't learn that until high
school!" Yet, most students also find it
engaging and fun. While much of the
science learning that occurs this year will
happen at school, we urge parents to keep
watch to ensure that their children are
grasping the needed skills and concepts
since third grade science begins building a
foundation for future learning.
This year, students engage in a variety of
activities, graphic organizers, projects,
interactive demonstrations, focused
assignments, and hands-on projects with
practical application. As your child's critical
reasoning skills continue to develop, the
curriculum increasingly focuses upon use of
scientific tools, research, collaboration,
problem solving, and learning to evaluate
results. If your child struggles with higher
order thinking this year, do not panic.
Often, this developmental milestone takes
time to develop, and these skills will likely
develop throughout the year. However,
please don't hesitate to talk with the teacher
to seek additional help or to discuss
whether or not your child is on target.
Science 5 includes engaging activities,
graphic organizer, challenging projects,
interactive demonstrations, focused
assignments, hand-on involvement and
practical applications. Students will not
only see the science behind things, but we
also see how God is in control of our world,
helping your students continue to see the
world of science through the lens of
Scripture. As your child's reasoning skills
develop, he or she is likely to have questions
about intelligent design and evolution. As
questions emerge, continue to present your
children with non-Christian worldviews as
well as Christian worldviews so that they are
fully prepared to defend their faith as they
grow older.