Teaching, Learning & Assessment » K-12 Standards & Instruction » Science

Instructional Resources

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Teaching & Learning Resources

K-12 

  • Science Instructional Plans– These 5E lessons align to the expectations reflected in the 2018 Science Standards of Learning  and Curriculum Framework and provide educators exemplars that demonstrate the integration of the Scientific and Engineering Practices with science concepts. The instructional plans are housed in #GoOpenVA and can easily be accessed through the Science VDOE group.  Find lesson plans for each grade level and discipline that were created to engage students as they build science conceptual understanding using the 2018 Science Standards of Learning.
  • Science and Engineering Practices Progression K-12 (Word) - The Science and Engineering Practices Progression K-12 chart identifies grade level expectations for each of the six practices as students progress through elementary school and high school.
  • K-5 Science Practices Progression (Word) – Shows the progression of standards from kindergarten through fifth grade and how they relate to reporting categories on the Grade 5 Science SOL Test Blueprint.
  • Science Standards of Learning Crosswalk between 2018 and 2010 Standards (Word)
  • Addressing Climate Change Using the Virginia 2018 Science Standards of Learning (Word) - This document summarizes student performance expectations from the Virginia Standards of Learning Curriculum Framework, and excerpts from the Content Guidelines that pertain to climate change.

Middle & High School

  • Energy in Virginia Guide (PDF) – Curriculum guide and supporting materials related to the Grade Six Science Standards of Learning energy standards.
  • Alternatives to Animal Dissection, BOE Guidelines (PDF) – The Board of Education sets forth guidelines to be implemented by local school divisions regarding alternative dissection techniques. Dissections are not required by the Virginia Department of Education nor are they included as an expectation in the 2018 Science Standards of Learning.
  • Web-based dissection simulations

Science Content Guidelines

Content guidelines are in the process of being constructed for all Biology II and Earth Science II courses.  The intention of the content guidelines are to inform instruction and to ensure that the content is covered equitably across the Commonwealth.  These are guidelines and divisions may adapt these to meet the need of the students in their schools.  Currently, guidelines are available for the areas indicated below and will be added as more peer-reviewed guidelines are developed.  Provide feedback on these guidelines to anne.petersen@doe.virginia.gov.

Safety

Environmental Literacy

The Standards of Learning (SOL) for Virginia Public Schools establish expectations of what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade or course in English, mathematics, science, history/social science and other subjects.  The SOL in certain disciplines support Environmental Literacy explicitly and in others implicitly. Environmental Literacy  offers connections to the Virginia Standards of Learning, school programs in action, teaching resources, grant programs, and more.

U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools

The U.S. Department of Education Green Ribbon Schools (ED-GRS) is a public engagement initiative for school sustainability that is structured as a federal recognition award. By highlighting schools, districts, postsecondary institutions, and early learning centers’ cost-saving, health promoting, and performance-enhancing sustainability practices, ED-GRS celebrates these institutions and brings more attention to their work.

  • September 2023 VDOE issues school and school division applications and guidelines for soliciting and selecting nominees for submission to USED.
  • December 8, 2023 Deadline for schools and school divisions to submit application to the VDOE for nomination.
  • December 2023-February 2024 VDOE and school or division collaborate to revise application to reflect review committee feedback.
  • April 22, 2024 US-ED hosts national award announcement.
  • Summer 2024 US-ED hosts award ceremony in Washington D.C.

ED-GRS Application Materials

  • VDOE Application Materials 2023-2024
  • Virginia Green Ribbon Schools Frequently Asked Questions

    • Outside Websites

    • Meaningful Watershed Experience – The 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, signed by Governor Terence McAuliffe on June 16, 2014, commits the Commonwealth to meet the goals and outcomes set forth in the multijurisdictional compact.  The education Goal and Outcomes of the Agreement extend to all localities and watersheds of the Commonwealth and the target of environmental literacy for all students by graduation. One goal is to continually increase students’ age-appropriate understanding of the watershed through participation in teacher-supported, Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEE) and rigorous, inquiry-based instruction, with a target of at least one meaningful watershed educational experience in elementary, middle and high school depending on available resources. These experiences connect standards-based classroom activities with hands-on field investigations. The following resources will assist teachers in meeting this requirement:
    • Science Museum of Virginia – information for planning field trips to the museum
    • Science Museum of Western Virginia – educational programs for students and professional development for teachers in grades K-12
    • Virginia Department of Forestry – conservation education information for students
    • Virginia Living Museum - information on activities in the museum and outreach programs
    • Virginia Museum of Natural History – information on professional development opportunities for teachers and resources for students including Virginia Science Standards Institute and Virginia Science Institute for STEM Education information and materials
    • Virginia Naturally School Recognition Program – information on the commonwealth's official environmental education school recognition program
    • Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom – educational program to increase agricultural literacy in grades K-8
    • NASA – space-related educational resources for teachers and students
    • Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching – information on the highest recognition that a K-12 mathematics or science teacher may receive
    • Virginia Junior Academy of Science – information for programs and competitions for the advancement of science in grades 7-12