Acton Public Schools Core Curriculum Topics
for Science and Social Studies

Revised Dec. 16, 2003.

Kindergarten

Social Studies Myself and Others. Exploring similarities and differences between self and others
Science Teacher designed explorations guiding children to observe, classify, describe and question

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Grade 1

Social Studies Some Ways the Same, Some Ways Different. Exploring families here and in two other (non-English) speaking cultures.
Science Land and Water Organisms and Habitats, Solids and Liquids, Weather

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Grade 2

Social Studies Local Studies and Far Away Places. Exploring the economic and social life in Acton, today and long ago. Compare with a far away place during a similar time period.
Science Plant Growth and Development, Life Cycle of Butterflies, Amphibian Life Cycle, Changes,Magnets, Sound, Rocks, Minerals and Fossils

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Grade 3

Social Studies The Development of Cities and City Life. Exploring the development of cities by studying an agricultural town, an industrial city and Boston.
Science Owls, Electrical Circuits, Chemical Tests

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Grade 4

Social Studies The Seeds of Change and Cultural Connections. (Three emphases) Exploring relationship between Native American peoples and the lands of North. America and first contacts with Europeans; early, mostly European explorers; cultural study likely a modern day look at a Native American group.
Science Experiments with Plants, Astronomy, Land and Water

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Grade 5

Social Studies Formation of a Nation. Focus on American History between 1700 and 1870. Exploring the role of New England in the early formation of the United States and the development of the colonies, the Revolution, Westward Expansion, and the Civil War.
Science Ecosystems, Motion and Design, Oceans (Voyage of the Mimi)

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Grade 6

Social Studies The culture and world view of several Ancient Civilizations. Exploring ancient civilizations, (Egypt,, Greece, Rome and Maya) incorporating a study of the origins of government, religions and written language.
Science Microworlds, Energy Sources, Earth Processes

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