Alabama Course of Study: Science

For information regarding the

Alabama Course of Study: Science

and other curriculum materials,

contact the Alabama Math, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI) Section,

Alabama State Department of Education,

3339 Gordon Persons Building,

50 North Ripley Street, Montgomery, Alabama 36104;

or by mail to P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, Alabama 36130-2101;

or by telephone at (334) 353-9151.

Thomas R. Bice, State Superintendent of Education

Alabama State Department of Education

The Alabama State Board of Education and the Alabama State Department of Education do not discriminate on the

basis of race, color, disability, sex, religion, national origin, or age in its programs, activities, or employment and

provide equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. The following person is responsible for

handling inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Title IX Coordinator, Alabama State Department of

Education, P.O. Box 302101, Montgomery, AL 36130-2101, telephone (334) 242-8165.

Alabama Course of Study

Science

Thomas R. Bice

State Superintendent of Education

ALABAMA STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

STATE SUPERINTENDENT

OF EDUCATION¡¯S MESSAGE

MEMBERS

of the

ALABAMA STATE BOARD

OF EDUCATION

Dear Educator:

Our vision is ¡°Every Child a Graduate¡ªEvery

Graduate Prepared!¡± To be prepared for college

and career in the twenty-first century, it is essential

that students have access to a high-quality, solid

science education. A great number of personal and

societal issues require citizens to be scientifically

literate and able to make informed decisions based

on an understanding of science and technology. In

addition, today¡¯s workforce depends on graduates

who are prepared with necessary scientific and

technological skills to address these issues. Our

newly developed science standards affirm the

importance of science literacy for all students.

The science standards reflect the

interconnectedness of the nature of science as

experienced in the real world. Science concepts

build coherently in depth and rigor across

Grades K-12 as students focus on deeper

understanding and application of content. The

standards in the course of study represent the

minimum content required to prepare students for

college, career, and citizenship.

The Alabama State Science Course of Study

Committee and Task Force developed what I

believe to be a superior set of standards that

integrate interdisciplinary teaching and learning to

guide local school systems in creating local

curriculum for implementation in the schools. By

using this new course of study as the foundation for

what students should know and be able to do,

students in the state of Alabama can meet the goal

of graduating with the knowledge and skills that

will enable them to succeed in post-high school

education and the workforce.

Governor Robert J. Bentley

President of the State Board of Education

District

I

II

Matthew S. Brown, J.D.

Betty Peters

III

Stephanie W. Bell

IV

Yvette Richardson, Ed.D.

V

Ella B. Bell

Vice President

VI

VII

Cynthia Sanders-McCarty, Ph.D.

Jeffery Newman

President Pro Tem

VIII

Mary Scott Hunter

State Superintendent

Thomas R. Bice

Secretary and Executive Officer

Thomas R. Bice

State Superintendent of Education

2015 Alabama Course of Study: Science

ii

Alabama Course of Study: Science

Table of Contents

PREFACE...................................................................................................................................... iv

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................. v

GENERAL INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................... 1

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK ................................................................................................ 2

POSITION STATEMENTS .......................................................................................................... 4

LEARNING PROGRESSIONS ................................................................................................. 11

STRUCTURE OF THE STANDARDS ..................................................................................... 12

DIRECTIONS FOR INTERPRETING THE MINIMUM REQUIRED CONTENT ........... 13

MINIMUM REQUIRED CONTENT

GRADES K-2 OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................ 15

Grade K .......................................................................................................................................... 16

Grade 1 ........................................................................................................................................... 18

Grade 2 ........................................................................................................................................... 20

GRADES 3-5 OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................... 22

Grade 3 ........................................................................................................................................... 23

Grade 4 ........................................................................................................................................... 26

Grade 5 ........................................................................................................................................... 29

GRADES 6-8 OVERVIEW ......................................................................................................... 32

Grade 6 ¨C Earth and Space Science ............................................................................................... 33

Grade 7 ¨C Life Science ................................................................................................................... 36

Grade 8 ¨C Physical Science ............................................................................................................ 39

GRADES 9-12 OVERVIEW ....................................................................................................... 42

Physical Science............................................................................................................................. 43

Biology........................................................................................................................................... 46

Chemistry ....................................................................................................................................... 49

Physics ........................................................................................................................................... 52

Human Anatomy and Physiology .................................................................................................. 55

Earth and Space Science ................................................................................................................ 58

Environmental Science .................................................................................................................. 61

APPENDIX A. Literacy Standards for Grades 6-12:

History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects................................... 64

APPENDIX B. Alabama High School Graduation Requirements¡­¡­¡­ ................................... 70

APPENDIX C. Guidelines and Suggestions for Local Time Requirements

and Homework ................................................................................................... 71

BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................................................................................................ 73

2015 Alabama Course of Study: Science

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