This is a question I have heard from schools a few times this year. So, I wanted to do my best to explain the decision to not include light and shadows (S1P1a.b) on the 1st grade report card. It wasn't an accident.
Science GPS are taught at the element level and not at the standard level. This means that there are many more elements, than the 8 sections of the report card designated for science. The report card committee looked all of the standards and elements taught in 1st grade, and prioritized them according to the "newness" of the concept to the learners and use in developing content knowledge in subsequent grade levels. Then we did our best to enable teachers to report student progress on the most critical elements for each quarter based on the CCSD Course Guides (pacing guides).
S1P1a - Recognize sources of light
S1P1b - Explain how shadows are made.
The light and shadows elements (S1P1a &b above) are not new concepts for students and are concepts reinforced in daily life. The life science standards taught in 1st grade (see below) are the foundational elements of most life science standards taught in elementary school. Thus, they were given a higher priority. The life science elements listed below provide the foundation for the following: Life Cycles in 2nd; Habitats & Organisms in 3rd; Ecosystems & Protective Adaptations in 4th; and Classification of Organisms in 5th.
S1L1a -ID the basic needs of plants (air; water; light; nutrients)
S1L1b -ID the basic needs of animals (air; water; food; shelter)
S1L1d - Compare and describe various animals
Like many concepts in math and ELA, teachers are still expected to teach light and shadows, but use means other than the report card to report student progress to parents.
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