Curriculum+and+Rationale+Assignment+1

//** Curriculum Choice **//
 * Assignment #1 Curriculum Choice and Rationale **

**Four Major Strands for Grade 3 Science:**

 * ====Processes of Science====
 * ====Life Science: Plant Growth and Changes====
 * ====Physical Science: Materials and Structures====
 * ====Earth and Space Science: Stars and Planets====

//It is expected that students will://

 * ====ask questions that foster investigations and explorations relevant to the content====
 * ====measure objects and events====

//It is expected that students will://

 * ====compare familiar plants according to similarities and differences in appearance and life cycles====
 * ====describe ways in which plants are important to other living things and the environment====
 * ====describe how plants are harvested and used throughout the seasons====

//It is expected that students will://

 * ====describe shapes that are part of nartural and human-built structures (eg, domes arches, pyramids)====
 * ====compare the effects of different materials, shpaes, and forces on the strength and stabiloity of different structures====
 * ====conduct investigations into ways to improve the strenght and stability of structures====

//It is expected that students will://

 * ====describe characteristics and movements of objects====
 * ====compare familiar constellations in seasonal skies====
 * ====demonstrate awareness of the special significance of celestial objectsfor Aboriginal peoples====

// Rationale //
====In choosing this topic I wanted to consider the things I have success with, things that I need to work on, areas of improvement for our library, and ways to improve electronic resources for our primary students.====

====I am looking forward to working through this project. As I am new to this school, I want to know much more about my collection, and starting with a small section seems like a manageable way to begin. I want to make relevant changes to our resources, in ways that teachers and students will both benefit.====
 * ====I have had success with units on **plants and growth** in the past, so I feel comfortable with that section of the curriculum. However, I feel that I have used the resources that we have, and they need some updating.====
 * ====I know I need to improve my knowledge of resources for **stars and planets**. We have quite a few books on this topic, but I feel that some weeding is necessary. The books are not in the best condition, and may be dated.====
 * ====I feel that our library needs to improve its selection of resources for **materials and structures.** We have very limited books for these sections of the curriculoum.====
 * ====For **processes of science:** asking questions and measurement, I would like to look into how these topics are covered, or if in fact they are imbedded in other science work. Are there specific resources to stimulate questioning?====
 * ====For all topics, I would like to improve our library's **electronic resources**. I feel that there are many resources that need to be explored, and it would be most helpful for teachers if these were assembled in a more organized fashion. Currently I see teachers randomly suggesting websites to each other as we discuss topics in the staffroom, and while this is helpful, I think our library can do better.====