Crystal Lake District 47 Announces New K-5 Science Curriculum

CRYSTAL LAKE, IL—At the board meeting on Feb. 18, the District 47 board of education approved a joint recommendation by the department of student learning and the elementary science committee to adopt a new elementary science curriculum called National Geographic Exploring Science.

According to district officials, the new curriculum aligns to the Illinois Learning Standards for Science and Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), which allows for broader and deeper science exploration and a seamless transition to science modeling instruction in middle school. The curriculum also includes embedded disciplinary literacy instruction.

In April and May of this school year, K-5 teachers and students will begin exploring the new science program together. Program resources include print materials and digital access and will be provided in both English (for monolingual classrooms) and Spanish (for dual language classrooms).

District officials say students will create authentic science notebooks (just like the practicing scientists and explorers they will follow through the program) and will experience a worldwide, multicultural view of science phenomena.

"Children are naturally curious and inquisitive," said Carolyn Stadlman, director of math, science and STEM. "We want to foster that spirit of exploration and wonder as it leads students to eagerly seek to understand and creatively problem-solve. We are confident that our new elementary science curriculum will engage our students and teachers in inquiry-based learning experiences that will broaden their horizons, today and in the future."