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Science IDEAS: K-5 Requirements

Related References

K-5 Schoolwide Requirements

K-5 schools implementing the Science IDEAS model agree to a number of requirements. The requirements were developed over a number of years in order to optimize the conditions that would result in the highest fidelity of implementation, the development of the school-level capacity necessary for insuring the eventual sustainability of the model.

Distinguishing Between Science IDEAS in Grades K-2 vs. 3-5

Specific requirements for grades 3-5 include daily instructional time of 1.5 - 2 hours allocated to Science IDEAS as a replacement for a school basal (or literature-oriented) reading program. Across the daily instructional time, teachers implement multi-day lessons that incorporate multiple activities consisting of the six different Science IDEAS elements. In Science IDEAS, at least 25% of instructional time is allocated to reading about science. In addition, schools also must agree to allocate an additional 30 minutes per day to literature.

In comparision to grades 3-5, the K-2 Science IDEAS model is an age-appropriate adaptation of the grade 3-5 model. The major differences are that the daily Science IDEAS instructional block in K-2 is 45 minutes rather than 1.5 - 2 hours and, in K-2, Science IDEAS does not replace the regular reading/language arts program. In addition, although all six Science IDEAS instructional elements are used in K-2, they are adapted to be age-appropriate (e.g., the teacher reads about science in grades K-1 as students are learning to read, pictures/illustrations are used for journaling or building simple concept maps).

Summary of Key Science IDEAS Implementaion Requirements for Teacher and Principals

Classroom Level (Teachers)

Science taught daily during an uninterrupted 1 ½ - 2 hour time bock
Language arts (using literary genre) taught for 30 minutes daily
Students not pulled from class during the Science IDEAS block
Students maintain science journals
Classrooms have science texts, non-fiction reading materials, resources for hands-on activities
Classroom/school display of teacher and student work (e.g., unit concept maps; writing from visuals)
No other major school initiatives for 3 years

School Level (Principal)

Master schedule ensuring fidelity to time requirements
Establishment of School Science IDEAS Committee
Support for in-year teacher professional development
Organization/facilitation of grade level planning for all 9-week units
Monitoring and reporting of classroom implementation
Supporting use of school / classrooms as “model” sites for visitors


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