- Columbus City Schools
- Science
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Helping Young Learners Explore the World Around Them
In Columbus City Schools, elementary science refers to the science education students receive from kindergarten through 5th grade. During these early years, students begin to explore the world around them through hands-on activities, observations, and questions. The focus is on curiosity, discovery, and building a strong foundation in science. Teachers encourage students to ask questions, investigate real-world phenomena, and develop critical thinking skills through engaging lessons and classroom science kits.
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Kindergarten
Kindergarten Science Overview
In Columbus City Schools, kindergarten science helps students explore the world through hands-on activities and observation. Aligned with Ohio’s Learning Standards, students learn about:
- Physical Science: How objects move and what they’re made of
- Earth & Space Science: Weather, seasons, and natural materials
- Life Science: Living things, their needs, and environments
Learning is playful and engaging, encouraging curiosity and early scientific thinking.
Year at a Glance
Link to Full Curriculum Document
Science Curriculum Resource
Columbus City Schools currently uses Science Weekly as the core curriculum resource for elementary science instruction. This engaging, standards-aligned program supports hands-on learning, literacy integration, and exploration of key science concepts across grades K–5. To learn more about the resource, please visit their website.
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First Grade
First Grade Science Overview
In Grade 1, students explore patterns in nature through hands-on learning and observation. They study:
- Earth & Space Science: Weather, seasons, and sunlight
- Life Science: Basic needs and growth of plants and animals
- Physical Science: Properties of materials and how objects move
Learning is active and encourages curiosity, helping students build early science skills through real-world connections.
Year at a Glance
Link to Full Curriculum Document
Science Curriculum Resource
Columbus City Schools currently uses Science Weekly as the core curriculum resource for elementary science instruction. This engaging, standards-aligned program supports hands-on learning, literacy integration, and exploration of key science concepts across grades K–5. To learn more about the resource, please visit their website.
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Second Grade
Second Grade Science Overview
In Grade 2, students explore how things change and interact in the natural world. They study:
- Earth & Space Science: Weathering, erosion, and seasonal changes
- Life Science: Life cycles of plants and animals
- Physical Science: Properties of matter and how materials change
Learning is active and encourages curiosity, helping students build early science skills through real-world connections.
Year at a Glance
Link to Full Curriculum Document
Science Curriculum Resource
Columbus City Schools currently uses Science Weekly as the core curriculum resource for elementary science instruction. This engaging, standards-aligned program supports hands-on learning, literacy integration, and exploration of key science concepts across grades K–5. To learn more about the resource, please visit their website.
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Third Grade
Grade 4 Science Overview
In Grade 3, students explore how things work and change in the natural world. They study:
- Earth & Space Science: Natural resources like soil, rocks, and water
- Life Science: Life cycles and adaptations of plants and animals
- Physical Science: Forces and motion—how objects move and interact
Learning is active and encourages curiosity, helping students build early science skills through real-world connections.
Year at a Glance
Link to Full Curriculum Document
Science Curriculum Resource
Columbus City Schools currently uses Science Weekly as the core curriculum resource for elementary science instruction. This engaging, standards-aligned program supports hands-on learning, literacy integration, and exploration of key science concepts across grades K–5. To learn more about the resource, please visit their website.
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Fourth Grade
Grade 4 Science Overview
In Grade 4, students explore how Earth changes over time, how energy works, and how living things interact. They study:
- Earth & Space Science: Weathering, erosion, deposition, and fossils
- Life Science: Ecosystems, food chains, and adaptations
- Physical Science: Forms of energy and how energy moves and changes
Learning is active and encourages curiosity, helping students build early science skills through real-world connections.
Year at a Glance
Link to Full Curriculum Document
Science Curriculum Resource
Columbus City Schools currently uses Science Weekly as the core curriculum resource for elementary science instruction. This engaging, standards-aligned program supports hands-on learning, literacy integration, and exploration of key science concepts across grades K–5. To learn more about the resource, please visit their website.
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Fifth Grade
Fifth Grade Science Overview
In Grade 5, students explore deeper science concepts and prepare for their first Ohio State Science Test. They study:
- Earth & Space Science: The sun, stars, and patterns in the solar system
- Life Science: Ecosystems and how energy flows through living things
- Physical Science: Motion, force, light, and sound as forms of energy
Learning is active and encourages curiosity, helping students build early science skills through real-world connections.
Year at a Glance
Link to Full Curriculum Document
Science Curriculum Resource
Columbus City Schools currently uses Science Weekly as the core curriculum resource for elementary science instruction. This engaging, standards-aligned program supports hands-on learning, literacy integration, and exploration of key science concepts across grades K–5. To learn more about the resource, please visit their website.
