Science Course of Study

Philosophy

The Olentangy Local School District is committed to providing leadership and support services to staff that will facilitate maximum learning for every student. In the pursuit of that commitment, our goal is to continuously improve in science as noted in the Continuous Improvement Plan adopted by the Olentangy Local School District Board of Education on June 27, 2000.

The following curriculum maps are based on the assumption that we believe:

• All students can learn science and become scientifically empowered.
• All students should be given the opportunity and the responsibility to become science thinkers.
• All students should be provided access to a full range of science topics and encouraged to become independent learners.
• All students should learn to work cooperatively in problem solving situations.

We base these beliefs on the understanding that scientific competence is essential to meaningful and productive living. In addition, science includes concrete and abstract problem solving, critical thinking and reasoning, and communicating as well as valuing the breadth of its connections. Furthermore, communication and cooperation among the student, parent, and teacher are essential. Finally, the use of technology should facilitate and enhance the teaching and learning of science.

Mapping

Curriculum at Olentangy is developed through a technique called mapping. This three-step process includes teachers or administrators that would like to participate in mapping, a representative community curriculum committee review and the board of education review and adoption of the map. The maps are aligned and clearly articulate high expectations for our students. Simply, the maps describe exactly what Olentangy students should know and do in a particular subject at each grade level. The maps are concise (one or two pages per grade level or subject) and easy for any stakeholder to read. The maps are designed this way to allow for greater depth of teaching and student understanding. The maps are the adopted curriculum for the district and guide classroom instruction.

Revised 5/2005
Board Approved 9/23/2003