TO: Elementary Science Core Reviewers

I would appreciate your review of the attached draft of the Elementary Science Core Curriculum. This document was developed in order to provide an additional level of specificity to the learning standards for mathematics, science, and technology. Along with other documents, such as the Mathematics, Science, and Technology Resource Guide and the Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology, it is intended to provide teachers with assistance while allowing for teaching creativity.

The draft core curriculum covers the Physical and Life Science concepts at the elementary level of Standard 4 and appropriate sections of Standards 1, 2, 6, and 7. Each Performance Indicator for the identified Key Idea has been elaborated to show which science concepts are important for all students to know and understand. Future New York State examination items will be developed from this material. Work continues on identifying skills and the interconnections of mathematics, science, and technology as addressed in the other standards of the Learning Standards for Mathematics, Science, and Technology.

Teachers, administrators, and staff and curriculum developers have asked to see this core curriculum to help direct their summer work. Therefore, we ask that you review this work-in-progress now so that we can make any revisions to the content before the end of June. The teachers who have guided the development of this core curriculum will finalize the document this summer.

Please provide comments which are as specific as possible. If you recommend a change in the content of the core curriculum, please provide revised wording and the reason for your recommendation.

As you review the draft, please consider the following:

1. Are the Major Understandings at the appropriate level of specificity to be helpful to teachers?
2. Have any Major Understandings been omitted?
3. Is the material consistent with what all students should know?
4. Other comments regarding content or format are welcome.

Comments should be labeled by Standard, Key Idea, and Major Understanding so that we can easily identify where a revision might be necessary. You may also feel free to write directly on the draft as long as it is legible. Please provide name and phone number of the reviewer.

Thank you for taking the time to review the draft and provide your comments. This input is essential for a quality product and all comments will be considered carefully.