Curriculum Mapping Project

Collection Development & Management- TE 871

By: Cassie Koinzan
 Third Grade Science Curriculum Map
Focus of Study Standards & Sub-Standards Vocabulary Instructional
Resources &
Assessments
March
Unit 7 SC 5.4.3 - Students will observe and describe the  salt water Flip Chart
Weather & Climate effects of weather and energy changes on Earth.  fresh water Digital Lesson
 5.4.3b Observe, measure, and record  evaporation Experiments
What is the Water changes in weather (temperature, wind  condensation Vocabulary Cards
Cycle? direction and speed, precipitation).  water cycle
 5.4.3c Recognize the difference between  precipitation Assessments-
What is Weather? weather, climate, and seasons.  atmosphere Lesson Quizzes
 oxygen Unit Test
How Can We AASL 1- Inquire, think critically, and gain  weather Teacher Observation
Measure Weather? knowledge. NSCAS
 temperature
 1.1.1 follow an inquiry based process in MAPS
seeking knowledge in curricular subjects
and make the real world connection for
using this process in own life
 1.1.2. Use prior and background
knowledge as context for new learning.
 1.4.2 Use interaction with and feedback
from teachers and peers to guide own
inquiry process.

AASL 2- Draw conclusions, make informed

decisions, apply knowledge to new situations,
and create new knowledge.
 2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real
world.
 2.4.3 Recognize new knowledge and
understanding.
 2.4.4 Develop directions for future
investigations.

AASL 4- Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

 4.1.4 Seek information for personal
learning in a variety of formats and
genres.

April – May
Unit 9 SC 5.2.1- Students will explore and describe the  matter Flip Chart
Matter physical properties of matter and its changes.  physical Digital Lesson
property Experiments
What Are Some  5.2.1a identify mixtures and pure  mass Vocabulary Cards
Physical Properties? substances  volume
 5.2.1b Identify physical properties of  temperature Assessments-
What Are the States matter  solid Lesson Quizzes
of Matter?  liquid Unit Test
 gas Teacher Observation
NSCAS
 What Physical  5.2.1c Use appropriate metric  evaporation MAPS
Properties Can We measurements to describe physical  condensation
Observe? properties  physical
 5.2.1d identify state changes caused by change
What Are Some heating and cooling solids, liquids and  mixture
Changes to Matter? gases  solution
 dissolve
What Changes Can AASL 1- Inquire, think critically, and gain  chemical
We Observe? knowledge. change
 1.1.1 follow an inquiry based process in
seeking knowledge in curricular subjects
and make the real world connection for
using this process in own life
 1.1.2. Use prior and background
knowledge as context for new learning.
 1.4.2 Use interaction with and feedback
from teachers and peers to guide own
inquiry process.

AASL 2- Draw conclusions, make informed

decisions, apply knowledge to new situations,
and create new knowledge.
 2.3.1 Connect understanding to the real
world.
 2.4.3 Recognize new knowledge and
understanding.
 2.4.4 Develop directions for future
investigations.

AASL 4- Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

 4.1.4 Seek information for personal
learning in a variety of formats and
genres.

* I used the 2010 Nebraska Science Standards since my school plans to implement the new 2018 standards next year. The
AASL Standards are the Standards for the 21st Century Learner by the American Library Association (2007).

Teaching Strategies:

Science Fusion contains a variety of teaching strategies within the curriculum to meet a diverse

community of learners. Some of these strategies include interactive digital lessons, compare and contrast charts,

activities to build critically thinking skills, virtual labs, guided investigations, student ‘brain checks’, and hands-

on STEM activities. Each Unit contains a variety of lessons, each beginning with an interactive digital lesson

conducted through a Promethean Board. Throughout the lesson, the students will be instructed in a whole group

setting, as well as, small group and individual work time.

Special Needs Considerations:

 It is important to meet the needs of every learner in your classroom. Science Fusion does a great job

including questions on each page of the teacher’s manual to differentiate instruction. On each page is a section

for ‘Differentiation- Leveled Questions’. Here the teacher will find an ‘Extra Support’ question for the

struggling learners, ESL students, or students with disabilities. There also is an ‘Enrichment’ question for gifted

students. The teacher can use these enrichment questions to further challenge the gifted students and create

additional projects or investigations. Another great feature in the teacher’s manual is the section on the side that

brings attention to common misconceptions the students will have. This allows the teacher to address these

misconceptions right away. The student’s books also include a vocabulary section at the beginning of each

lesson. These important vocabulary words are highlighted and bolded throughout the lesson. This is a great way

for ESL students to help build their vocabulary.

If a student has an IEP, it is important that the teacher does whatever necessary to accommodate for the

student. This may include but is not limited to extra time completing tasks, visual aids, orally reading

independent work, limiting vocabulary, larger printed books, and small group and/or one-on-one instruction.

The school librarian can aide in meeting the needs of all students by providing resources at, below, and

above the third grade reading level. Having resources at all levels will assist students who need extra support as

well as challenging the gifted students. The librarian should also try to provide both print and nonprint

materials, including books with large print and visuals. It would be beneficial to include audio books/ CDs for

ESL students and struggling readers.

Existing Materials Evaluation and Weakness Report:

The 3rd grade Science Fusion curriculum includes a disposable student text book for each child and a

teacher’s manual for each Unit. The student text book is written at, and often times above, the third grade

reading level. Because the reading level is so high, the teachers and the gifted students will read the text aloud

to the other students. This makes it difficult when the students work in small groups or individually. As a result,

the teacher will pair low readers or ESL students with accelerated readers when working with partners. This is

not always fair for the gifted students. The teachers mentioned they often are looking for additional resources,
websites, and video clips to engage students at more of a ‘third grade level’. Additional resources from the

library would be beneficial for students reading at or below grade level.

When searching through the Neligh-Oakdale Library I found a number of resources that would be

helpful, although, I also found a number of places where the collection is lacking. I found 10 books relating to

weather. Out of these books, there is only one on the water cycle and there are no resources on climate or

weather tools. Eight of the 10 resources are above the third grade reading level which is not helpful considering

the teachers are looking for resources at or below the third grade level. A strong area of weakness in the

collection is the current-ness. Most of the resources are over 20 years old with only one of the books being

published in the last 5 years. The illustrations in the books and the outside appearance of the books are all very

outdated.

When it came to resources on matter, I could only find three resources on the states of matter in the

library. There are no resources on mixtures, solutions, physical properties, chemical changes, or matter. Once

again, out of the three resources found on the states of matter, only one of the titles is somewhat current (2001),

the other two are over 20 years old. Science is something that is constantly changing as the world continues to

grow and learn more each year. Scientists have made leaps and bounds in their understandings of the world over

the last 20 years. It is important that the resources in the library stay current with these understandings.

Current Weather & Climate Resources

Title Author Book Information
The Drop Goes Plop: A first look at the Sam Godwin Series: First look, science
water cycle Published 2005
Accelerated Reader® Level: 2.6 / 0.5 pts
Water Kitty Benedict Published 1993
Reading Level: 3.6 Interest Level: K-3
The Weather and Us Ann Merk Series: Weather report
Published 1994
Reading Level: 5.2 Interest Level: 3-6
Weather Signs Ann Merk Series: Weather report
Published 1994
Reading Level: 4.1 Interest Level: 3-6
Weather in Fall Mari Schuh Series: Bullfrog books. What happens in
fall?
Published 2014
Studying Weather Ann Merk Series: Weather report
Published 1994
Reading Level: 4.2 Interest Level: 3-6
 Accelerated Reader® Level: 4.7 / 0.5 pts.
Watching the Weather Edana Eckart Series: Watching nature
Published 2004
Kids Discover 2-13: Extreme Weather Magazine

The Magic School Bus: Inside a Joanna Cole Published 1995

Hurricane Reading Level: 4.0 Interest Level: K-3

Rain, Snow, and Ice Ann Merk Series: Weather report

Published 1994
Reading Level: 4.5 Interest Level: 3-6

Current Matter Resources

Title Author Book Information
Solids, Liquids, Gases Charnan Simon
Series: Simply Science
Published 2001
Solid, Liquid, or Gas? Fay Robinson Series: Rookie read-about science
Published 1995
What is the World Made of? All about Kathleen Zoehfeld Series: Let's-read-and-find-out science.
solids, liquids, and gases Published 1998

Recommended Resources:

It is clear to me the students, teachers, and the library would benefit from a larger collection with more

up-to-date options. When searching for selections it was a priority to find resources at, below, and above the

third grade reading level, as well as some nonprint resources such as audio CDs and DVDs.

I found a lot of really worthy fiction and nonfiction books on climate, weather tools, and the water cycle.

Of the nine print books, four are at the third grade level, three are more challenging for the gifted students, and

two were written at the second grade level. These lower leveled books included larger font and more visuals for

ESL students, students with disabilities, or struggling readers. I also found some great nonprint materials

including a website, DVD, and Audio CD.

It was a little more challenging to find quality resources about matter at the third grade level. I found 11

print books on matter, the different states of matter, physical properties, and mixtures. Out of the 11, four are

geared more towards higher leveled thinking and are at an accelerated reading level and two are for below grade

level readers. I found a great resource in Spanish on mixtures and solutions (Mezclas Y Soluciones by: Hugh

Westrup) for Hispanic ESL students. For nonprint resources I found an interactive website that includes video
clips and digital labs, a lower leveled audio book, and some educational DVD options. I feel the addition of

these resources to the Neligh-Oakdale Library collection would be valuable to not only the third grade teachers

and students, but also to second grade, fourth grade and even fifth grade.

Recommended Weather & Climate Resources

Title & Author Publisher Date Price Vendor / ISBN
Climate Teacher Created Materials, 2015 $8.99 Titlewave
By: Torrey Maloof Inc. 978-1-48074-649-7
Studying Weather and Climate Rourke Pub 2011 $8.95 Titlewave
By: Conrad Storad 978-1-61741-951-5
Tools Tell the Weather Rosen Classroom 2012 $7.00 Titlewave
By: Callie Frampton 978-1-44888-800-9
The Water Cycle Capstone 2005 $7.29 Titlewave
By: Rebecca Olien 978-0-7368-5182-4
What is Climate Bearport 2012 $18.00 Titlewave
By: Ellen Lawrence 978-1-61772-401-5
What is Climate? Lerner Publications Company 2014 $6.99 Titlewave
By: Jennifer Boothroyd 978-1-46774-498-0
What is the Water Cycle Bearport 2012 $19.28 Titlewave
By: Ellen Lawrence 978-1-61772-402-2
What are Weather and Climate? Britannica Educational 2015 $11.02 Titlewave
By: Joanne Mattern Publishing 978-1-62275-780-0
When Will it Rain? Noticing Millbrook Press 2015 $5.29 Titlewave
Weather Patterns 978-1-46778-613-3
By: Martha Rustad
Nonprint Resources
Weather – Brainpop Jr. http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/weat $175/ n/a
her/ year
Water Cycle Disney Educational Press 2003 $14.99 DVD
Titlewave
978-0-89625-945-4
The Water Cycle Crabtree Audio 2009 $10.00 Audiobook (CD)
By: Bobbie Kalman Titlewave
978-0-7787-7718-2
* Books for gifted students are in green.
* Books for students with disabilities and English Language Learners are in blue.

Recommended Matter Resources

Title & Author Publisher Date Price Vendor / ISBN
Composition of Matter Teacher Created Materials 2015 $8.99 Titlewave
By: Morgaine Paris 978-1-48074-720-
3
States of Matter Crabtree Pub. 2008 $5.81 Titlewave
By: Lynnette Brent 978-0-7787-4251-7
Properties of Matter AV2/Weigl 2012 $18.99 Titlewave
By: Aaron Carr 978-1-61690-392-3
The Properties of Liquids PowerKids Press 2007 $6.04 Titlewave
 By: Marylou Kjelle 978-1-40422-169-7
The Properties of a Solid PowerKids Press 2007 $6.04 Titlewave
By: Marylou Kjelle 978-1-40422-168-0
The Properties of a Liquid PowerKids Press 2007 $18.50 Titlewave
By: Marylous Kjelle 978-1-40423-423-9
Mezclas Y Soluciones Teacher Created Materials 2018 $8.99 Titlewave
By: Hugh Westrup 978-1-42584-715-9
Mixtures and Solutions: the Norwood House Press 2011 $9.06 Titlewave
sugar in the tea 978-1-60357-312-2
By: Emily Sohn
The Simple Science of Matter Capstone Press 2017 $7.95 Titlewave
By: Emily James 978-1-51577-088-6
Curious Pearl Picture Window Book 2017 $4.95 Titlewave
By: Eric Braun Capstone Press 978-1-51581-346-0
What is a Liquid Crabtree Pub. 2012 $5.16 Titlewave
By: Lynn Peppas 978-0-7787-0777-6
Nonprint Resources
Matter – Brainpop Jr. http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/matter/ $175/ Website
year
Changes in the Properties of 100% Educational Videos 2004 $39.95 DVD
Matter: Physical and Chemical Titlewave
978-1-58541-399-7
Properties of Matter: Part 2, 100% Educational Videos 2004 $39.95 DVD
Liquids, solids, gases Titlewave
978-1-58541-363-8
All About Properties of Matter Schlessinger Media 2004 $29.95 DVD
Titlewave
978-1-57225-944-7
Matter Capstone Press Streaming Audio 2017 $6.99 Audiobook (CD)
By: Abbie Dunne Mackin
9781543523133
* Books for gifted students are in green.
* Books for students with disabilities and English Language Learners are in blue.