Module Introduction

Teaching Science in the Elementary Grades: An Overview

Our life is anchored on Science. By the time we are born in this world, we interact with
science. In schools, science in the early years (K to 12) is incorporated in other subject areas to
develop Healthy Habits, Curiosity about Self-Environment, Use of Basic Process Skills and
Develop Basic Scientific Knowledge or Concepts. In the upper grade levels from Grade 3 to
Grade 6, Science as a learning area include essential skills in Scientific Inquiry to include
Designing Simple Investigations, Using Appropriate Procedure and Tools to gather evidence,
observe patterns, determine relationship, draw conclusion and communicate ideas. Further, to
develop essential skills for scientific inquiry, the learners will apply content and skills to
maintain good health, ensure protection of the environment and practice safety measures.

Your role as future science teachers will revolve around these key standards for Science
in the Elementary Grades. You should be prepared to motivate, inspire and guide learners in
the wonderful world of science.

This is a preliminary module that informs all elementary grade teachers, What to Teach,
How to Teach and Why Teach Science in the Elementary level.

Module 1 and all other succeeding Modules are basically anchored on the K to 12
Curricula of the Department of Education.
Lesson 1 The Science Framework in the K to 12
Lesson Outcomes:
1. Described the science framework in the K to 12
2. Discussed the framework relative to each grade level

 ENGAGE
What do you expect to teach in science? What first come to your mind when you are to teach
Science? In the K to 12 enhanced curricula, what is the national framework for Science in all levels?

Have you ever come across an acronym in science which is STL? It means Science and Technology
Literacy. It includes the ability to apply scientific and technological concepts, use the process skills and
embrace science attitudes and values in life.

This lesson will engage you to all these as the Science Framework from kindergarten to Grade 6 and
beyond.

 EXPLORE
The Science Framework in the K to 12

Science as a whole, as provided by the national framework of the DepEd responds to the 21 st
Century Literacy which is the Science and Technological Literacy. It involves three important
components
1. Understanding and Applying Scientific Knowledge
2. Developing and Demonstrating Scientific Attitude and Values
3. Performing Scientific Inquiry Skills

Based on these phases, all science learners who aim to be scientifically and technologically
literate should be:

 Critical and Creative Problem Solver

 Responsible steward of nature
 Innovative and Inventive thinker
 Informed decision maker
 Effective communicator

As a future teacher, you should bear in mind that you will be assisting or guiding your learners to
acquire these scientific and technological skills.
 How are these skills developed? Based on the framework, the foundations of scientific and
technological literacy are characterized by the following models, approaches and practices which are
fully anchored on several learning theories:

1. Multidisciplinary-Interdisciplinary Approach - Interrelationships and interaction of different

disciplines like science and mathematics, science and social studies, science and history and many more.

2. Science-Technology Society (STS) Approach – One way to appreciate science is to link it with
technology and how it influences people, and their ways of life.

3. Problem/Issue Based Learning – Making use of the identified problem or issues surrounding the
environment will make more meaning in learning science.

4. Inquiry-based approach – The basic principle of inquiry-based approach the learners’ take
ownership of a problem or a need and the desire to solve it.

5. Constructivism – Constructivism teaching is based on the belief that learning occurs as learners
are actively involved in the process of meaning and knowledge construction. Learners are the makers of
meaning and knowledge.

6. Social Cognition Learning Model – Learning can be directed to observing others while interacting
and experiencing.

7. Learning Style Theory – The VARK model identifies Visual, Auditory, Reading/Riting and
Kinesthetic learners who respond to different kinds of learning. There are also many other types of
learning styles.

This means that to teach science for learners to learn, a future teacher like you, will use the above
theories, principle and models in teaching.

Department of Education
  EXPLAIN
Science and Technological Literacy is the ultimate goal of science learning. Its development starts
early and formally begins in K to a completion of a degree and throughout life. A country whose citizens
are science and technologically literate will be educationally and scientifically advanced.

To achieve this goal, there are three intervening skills that need to be addressed.

Understanding and Applying Scientific Knowledge. Science literacy starts with acquisition of
knowledge (ideas, concepts, generalizations, theories). However, such knowledge should be understood
and applied. Thus, in teaching science, teachers should remember that although memorization of facts is
important, however, these facts, knowledge, generalization and theories should be understood and
used in the daily lives.

Performing Scientific Inquiry Skills. Other than understanding and applying science knowledge it is
also the foundation of scientific and technological literacy to perform inquiry skills. Scientific inquiry
skills can be seen as a set of skills to be learned by the students to include the science processes of the
AAAs the performance of the scientific investigations and the cognitive outcomes the students will
achieve. What students will be able to do is the performance of inquiry and based on what the students
know about inquiry. In short, scientific inquiry is a systematic approach used by scientists in order to
answer mind boggling questions.

Developing and Demonstrating Scientific Attitude and Values. The development and
demonstration of scientific attitudes and values is a very important component of scientific literacy

 ELABORATE
Further Elaboration of the Framework
A. The Components of Scientific and Technological Literacy

 Understanding and Applying Scientific Knowledge

To understand better scientific knowledge, it is best to understand first what science is. Science
consists of two things: a body of knowledge and the process by which that knowledge is
produced. However, science processes is the other component that describes the way of
thinking and knowing about the word. Scientific knowledge is not absolute or certain.
Knowledge, including facts, theories and laws, is all tentative and subject to change due to new
evidence brought about by advances in theory and technology. Science knowledge is also
socially and culturally embedded.

 Developing and Demonstrating Scientific Attitude and Values

What is scientific attitude? It can be defined as way of viewing things a curiosity to know how
and why things happen with an open mind on govern facts. It is a way of thinking, feeling, acting
and a disposition towards science. Attitude can be positive or negative. Science attitude is
 oftentimes attributed to characteristics of scientists, but learners can also develop scientific
attitudes. Here are some of the scientific attitudes.

1. Curiosity 6. Skepticism
2. Humility 7. Creative and Innovative
3. Open-mindedness 8. Rational
4. Intellectual honesty 9. Objectivity
5. Perseverance 10. Innovative

 Performing Scientific Inquiry Skills

A science oriented mind is a questioning mind. To inquire is to ask a series of questions and find
answers to the questions asked. The series of questioning and finding answers to the questions
refer to science inquiry.

Students’ abilities that are needed to enable them to be science inquirer are presented for K to
4 and G5 to 8 learners. These are found in the matrix below:

Kindergarten to Grade 4 Learners Grade 5 to Grade 8 Learners

Ask questions about objects, organism and
events in the environment.
Plan and conduct a simple investigation.
Enjoy simple equipment and tools to gather
data and extend the senses.
Use data to construct reasonable explanation.
Communicate investigations and explanations.
Identify questions that can be answered
through scientific investigations.
Design and conduct simple scientific
investigations.
Use appropriate tools and techniques to
gather, analyze and interpret data.
Develop descriptions, explanations,
predictions and models using evidence.
Think critically and logically to make the
relationship between evidence and
explanations.

B. Approaches, Models and Practices Used in the Framework

Based on the framework, there are dominant approaches, models and practices that can be
utilized in teaching and learning science in the elementary grades. Being a future science teacher, you
must be able to understand the processes or the pedagogy of each.

1. Multidisciplinary – the use of two or more subject areas in one lesson or activity

2. Science – Technology Society (STS) Approach – examines how science and technology shape
societies, cultures and environments and how social, cultural and environmental factors that
shapes the development of science and technology

3. Problem/Issue Based Learning (PBL) – allows students to focus on how and what they will
learn. An unfamiliar problem, situation or task is presented to the students and students are
encouraged to determine for themselves how they will go about solving the problem.
 4. Inquiry-based approach – anchored on the idea of seeking for truth, information or
knowledge. It is seeking the appropriate solution.

5. Constructivism – a theory that explains how people learning by constructing their own
understanding and knowledge of the world through prior experiences and reflecting on those
experiences. There is a continuous asking of questions, exploration and assessment.

6. Social Cognition Learning Model – culture is the primary factor of individual development.
Culture teaches the learners both what to think and how to think.

7. Learning Style Theory – “All learners are created equally but learn differently.” Each individual
has a preference on how they learn. The most accepted understandings of the learning style fall
into three categories: Visual, Auditory (Oral-Aural) and Tactile or Kinesthetic.

Visual – use images, maps and graphic organizers to access and understand new
information.
Auditory – best understand new concepts through speaking and listening
Kinesthetic – learners prefer to touch, move or manipulate

C. Characteristics of a Science and Technologically Literate Persons

If the learners are able to model theories and practices that are imbibed based on the
framework, how should then every learner is characterized? It is expected that science teachers should
be able to develop learners who have characteristics exemplified below:

1. Critical and Creative Problem Solver – skills to analyze and find solutions to any perplexing
questions of problems

2. Responsible Steward of Nature – concern in keeping the environment safe for themselves
and for everybody

3. Innovative and Inventive Thinker – skills to create and innovate something simple for
humanity

4. Informed Decision Maker – the ability to make informed decisions

5. Effective Communicator – the ability to convey correct message to others whether written or
oral from their fund of knowledge, results of inquiry, investigations and many more.

Monitoring and Assessment

All throughout the process of science teaching and learning, and based on the framework, there
is a continuous monitoring and assessment of learning. These are very important elements that need to
be addressed in all educational endeavor including science teaching and learning.
  EVALUATE
I bet you are clarified about the Science Framework for K to 12. As a framework, it sets the parameters
upon which a solid ground for science in the elementary level is anchored. Now let us check what you
have learned.

A. Answer the following questions based on Lesson 1:

1. What are the most important knowledge, skills and values that I learned?

2. What else do I need to learn to understand the Science Framework for K to 12?

3. As a future teacher, what will I do with what I know?

B. Choose the correct answer from the options given.

1. In the basic components of the framework, all imply that science involves action or doing. Which is
NOT emphasized in the learning of science?

a. Memorizing facts, concept, principles and theories

b. Understanding and applying scientific knowledge
c. Developing and demonstrating scientific attitude and values
d. Performing scientific inquiry skills

2. As a future science teacher, what is the ultimate goal of science in the framework that each learner
should achieve?

a. 21st Century Literacy

b. Science and Technology Literacy
c. Science, Technology and Society
d. Develop innovators and inventors
3. Science as a subject in the elementary grades should stand alone. This statement is

a. Supportive of the approaches in science teaching

b. Contrary to science as multi-disciplinary and integrated
c. Advocated in the theories that support science learning
d. Acceptable based on the science framework

4. There is no single way of learning science, hence there is no single method that would fit every
learner. This belief supports the theory of

a. Constructivism
b. Social Cognition
c. Learning Styles
d. Hands-On, Minds On

References:

Bilbao, P., et.al (2019) Teaching science in the elementary grades. Quezon City: Lorimar
Publishing Co., Inc.

“We cannot become what we need to be by remaining what we are.” ~ Max DePree

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