New curriculum program for fourth graders sparks interest in energy and leaps students into life science.
Old Lyme, Conn. –– Curriculum writer Nancy Larson understands the importance of getting science lessons just right for young students. After all, students’ feelings about science are often set long before they enter a high school lab or a college class.
That is why Nancy Larson and her writing team of teachers spent four years crafting and re-crafting Nancy Larson® Science 4. The program – the latest installment in the science curriculum series for elementary students – advances the concepts taught in earlier levels.
“There’s literally an energy about the program. Science 4 had to be constructed just right so the students get the correct lessons when they are best ready to understand and retain the concept,’’ Larson said. “Our new program took thousands of hours of field testing by dedicated teachers. The results will be students who learn and appreciate the importance of science in our world.’’
For hundreds of teachers, principals and curriculum directors who have been patiently waiting for Nancy Larson® Science 4 – the wait is over. Nancy Larson® Science 4 is now available in both school and homeschool versions.
Nancy Larson® Science is written to meet the national science standards. All the standards were studied and restudied before writing began on the series nearly a decade ago. However, Larson is quick to remind people that her program aims for a higher standard.
“We come to work every day trying to write programs that help teachers be better teachers and help students really learn and retain the knowledge,” Larson said. “Science 4 exceeds that high standard. I’m very thankful to all the teachers who made thousands of suggestions about the lessons so we would know they would work.’’
Nancy Larson® Science 4 continues to build on the strong foundation set by the earlier Science K–3.
Some of the key lessons include:
- Biology: Viewing the cells of different organisms through a microscope
- Botany: Examining the effect of salt water on plants
- Zoology: Using animal x-rays to identify bone structure
- Ecosystems: Conducting experiments to observe plant behavior
- Energy: Demonstrating potential and kinetic energy using simple toys
- Electricity: Building series and parallel circuits
The Science 4 program is available in two versions: classroom and homeschool.
About Nancy Larson® Science
The goal of Nancy Larson® Science is to be a comprehensive, hands-on science curriculum that is engaging and challenging for children while being fun and easy for teachers to teach. Larson worked closely with classroom teachers and incorporated extensive field-testing to develop a program that provides children with a solid foundation and the skills needed to be successful in their academic futures. Currently Nancy Larson® Science offers Science K, 1, 2, 3 and 4. To learn more about Nancy Larson® Science, visit.
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