Science instruction in Chicago Public Schools (CPS) elementary grades is designed to spark curiosity, develop real‑world problem‑solving skills, and build a foundation for future scientific learning. From kindergarten through fifth grade, students engage in hands‑on exploration, observation, and inquiry that connects classroom learning to everyday life.
“Elementary science is more than memorizing facts,” explains Dr. Emilia Carter, curriculum specialist with experience in urban school districts. “It is about nurturing curiosity, asking questions about the world, and developing skills to investigate answers.”
CPS has shifted its science teaching toward student inquiry, where learners actively participate in experiments and discussions, rather than only listening to lectures. This approach helps children understand not just what we know, but how we know it.
CPS Elementary Science Curriculum: Overview
| Grade Level | Key Topics | Skills Developed | Learning Approach |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten | Weather, plants, animals, senses, basic materials | Observation, inquiry, comparing and describing | Hands-on exploration, guided observation, class discussions |
| Grade 1 | Weather, seasons, life cycles, human body basics | Observation, classification, questioning | Inquiry-based learning, experiments, interactive activities |
| Grade 2 | Materials, simple machines, habitats, measurement | Investigation, data recording, cause-effect relationships | Hands-on experiments, group projects, modeling |
| Grade 3 | States of matter, energy, ecosystems, Earth’s resources | Hypothesis formation, testing, analysis | Project-based learning, experiments, observation logs |
| Grade 4 | Energy transfer, plant & animal adaptations, Earth & space | Critical thinking, experimentation, evidence-based reasoning | Labs, simulations, collaborative projects |
| Grade 5 | Force & motion, matter & chemical reactions, environment | Scientific reasoning, problem-solving, modeling | Experiments, engineering challenges, inquiry investigations |
Why Elementary Science Instruction Matters?
Science education in the early grades has far‑reaching benefits. It fosters critical thinking, supports literacy and math skills through data interpretation, and encourages students to engage with the world around them.
Elementary science also plays an important role in long‑term academic success.
“When students begin scientific inquiry early, they carry analytical habits into middle school and beyond,” says Dr. Geneva Ortiz, an education researcher. “They question ideas, consider evidence, and communicate observations clearly, skills valuable in every subject.”
Also Read
How CPS Curriculum Aligns With Illinois Learning Standards
CPS aligns its science curriculum with state and national science standards but allows schools flexibility in how instruction is delivered, ensuring that learning experiences are both rigorous and relevant to students’ lives.
How Science Is Taught by Grade Band?
Kindergarten–Grade 2: Exploring the World
In early elementary years, science learning centers on observation and exploration:
- Life Science: Students learn about living things plants, animals, and their needs for survival.
- Earth and Space: Children observe weather patterns, seasons, and daily changes in the sky.
- Physical Science: Students explore materials, motion, and simple properties like color, texture, and temperature.
Activities are highly hands‑on. For example, students may grow seeds to learn plant life cycles, sort objects by physical properties, or chart daily weather changes.
Teachers use inquiry prompts such as:
- “What do you notice?”
- “Why do you think that happened?”
- “How can we test it?”
These questions help students begin scientific thinking without needing complex vocabulary.
Grades 3–5: Building Inquiry and Conceptual Understanding
As students progress, science instruction becomes more structured and conceptually rich:
Life Science
- Ecosystems and Habitats: Students study how organisms interact with each other and their environments.
- Adaptations: Learners explore how plants and animals change over time to survive.
Classroom projects may include building food web diagrams, comparing habitats, or observing local wildlife.
Earth and Space Science
- Earth Systems: Lessons focus on weather, climate, water cycles, and earth materials like rocks and soil.
- Solar System: Students investigate planets, stars, and patterns of day and night.
Hands‑on labs might include creating water cycle models or simulating soil erosion.
Physical Science
- Forces and Motion: Students explore pushes, pulls, speed, and simple machines.
- Energy: Learners investigate light, sound, heat, and electrical phenomena through experiments.
Teachers often use everyday materials, ramps, springs, magnets, and scales, so students can test hypotheses and collect data themselves.
Instructional Strategies in CPS Science Classrooms
CPS emphasizes three core practices across grade levels:
1. Phenomena‑Based Learning
Students start with real, observable phenomena, such as why shadows change length, and develop explanations collaboratively. This approach roots abstract concepts in real experience, making science relevant and engaging.
2. Hands‑On Experiments
Teachers design labs where students predict outcomes, collect data, and reflect on results. For example, they might investigate how different materials affect sound or track plant growth under varying conditions.
3. Collaborative Discussion
Students share ideas, compare data, and justify conclusions with evidence. These conversations build both science understanding and communication skills.
Dr. Carter explains, “Students are not passive recipients of information. They become investigators and communicators.”
Integrating Cross‑Curriculum Skills
Science in CPS is not isolated from other subjects. Instruction intentionally integrates:
- Reading and Writing: Students read informational texts, write explanations of their findings, and compare evidence from different sources.
- Math: Data collection, graphing, measurement, and pattern recognition are natural parts of science investigations.
- Social Studies: Lessons about landforms or ecosystems connect to local history and community issues.
This interdisciplinary model reinforces learning across subjects and makes science purposeful.
How CPS Measures Science Understanding?
CPS uses a mix of formative and performance‑based assessments:
- Classroom Observations and Checklists: Teachers monitor student engagement, procedural understanding, and ability to make claims based on evidence.
- Performance Tasks: Students might conduct an investigation and present results in written or oral form.
- Portfolios: Collections of student work, drawings, lab reflections, graphs, document growth over time.
Standardized tests are less emphasized in early elementary grades; instead, assessment focuses on students’ application of science practices and conceptual reasoning.
Dr. Emilia Carter says, “Elementary science in CPS is designed to help students think like scientists. It’s not just what they learn, but how they learn it that matters.”
What does this mean for Students and Families?
Teaching science through inquiry helps students develop:
- Critical thinking and reasoning skills
- Ability to collect, interpret, and communicate data
- Confidence in problem‑solving
- Curiosity about the natural world
For families, understanding how science is taught can make home conversations more productive. Parents can support learning by:
- Encouraging questions like “What do you wonder about…?”
- Exploring nature with children and talking about observations
- Reading science books together that explain concepts in age‑appropriate ways
- Helping students document simple experiments or collections (like rock or leaf collections)
Science becomes more meaningful when students connect classroom learning to real world experience.
Ms. Lauren Mitchell, an elementary science coach, shares, “When students get to design their own experiments and talk about their ideas, they take ownership of learning. That’s when real understanding happens.”
Final Thoughts
Science instruction in CPS elementary schools is inquiry‑rich, hands‑on, and integrated with literacy and math skills. Beginning with exploration in early grades and progressing to structured investigations in upper elementary, students learn not just scientific facts but how to think like scientists.
Parents who understand this approach can better support their children’s curiosity and engagement. As CPS continues refining science instruction, the emphasis remains on developing confident, thoughtful learners prepared to tackle complex questions in school and life.
FAQs
How often do CPS elementary students have science class?
Science instruction varies by school but typically occurs several times a week and is woven into reading, writing, and math activities.
Do students need special materials for science at home?
No. Everyday objects water, leaves, magnets, measuring cups, can support meaningful science exploration.
How does CPS help teachers teach science?
Many schools use science coaches, collaborative planning time, and professional development to strengthen instructional practice.
Are standardized science tests given in elementary grades?
Formal standardized science testing is limited in early grades, assessment focuses more on performance tasks and classroom learning.
How can parents support inquiry learning at home?
Ask questions, encourage exploration, read informational texts together, and help children describe what they observe and conclude.
