Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Grades K–5 Model Curriculum Framework
Every student and every teacher deserve access to high quality instructional materials. The NJDOE collaborated with OpenSciEd to develop the instructional and professional learning materials for the Grades K–5 Model Curriculum Framework.
The instructional units are centered around real-world phenomena children encounter every day! The Department believes that teaching science isn’t just about facts and figures; it’s about creating a science learning experience that sparks students’ curiosity and captures their imaginations. Through hands-on investigations and student-driven discussions, young learners will embark on a journey of scientific exploration, building a strong foundation for science learning in middle school and beyond.
Scope and Sequence
| Grade K | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| K.1 Energy: Sunlight K-PS3-1, K-PS2-2, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2 |
1.1 Waves: Light 1-PS4-2, 1-PS4-3 |
2.1 Earth: Land Changing Shape 2-ESS1-1, 2-ESS2-1, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3 |
3.1 Forces & Interactions 3-PS2-1, 3-PS2-2, 3-PS2-3, 3-PS2-4, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-3 |
4.1 Energy Transfer: Collisions 4-PS3-1, 4-PS3-3 |
5.1 Ecosystems & Matter Cycling 5-PS1-1, 5-PS3-1, 5-LS1-1, 5-LS2-1 |
| K.2 Weather K-ESS2-1, K-ESS3-2 |
1.2 Waves: Sounds 1-PS4-1, 1-PS4-4, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3 |
2.2 Structure & Properties of Matter 2-PS1-1, 2-PS1-2, 2-PS1-3, 2-PS1-4, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3 |
3.2 Weather & Hazards 3-ESS2-1, 3-ESS2-2, 3-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-2, 3-LS1-1 (plants) |
4.2 Energy Transfer: Electricity 4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4, 4-PS4-3, 4-ESS3-1, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-3 |
5.2 Matter Properties 5-PS1-2, 5-PS1-3, 5-PS1-4, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-3 |
| K.3 Forces and Motion K-PS2-1, K-PS2-2, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2, K-2-ETS1-3 |
1.3 Space: Sky Patterns 1-PS4-2, 1-PS4-3 |
2.3 Habitats & Biodiversity 2-LS4-1, 2-ESS2-2, 2-ESS2-3 |
3.3 Trait Variations 3-LS1-1 (animals), 3-LS3-1 (animals), 3-LS3-2, 3-LS4-1, 3-LS4-2 |
4.3 Earth Processes 4-PS4-1, 4-ESS1-1, 4-ESS2-1, 4-ESS2-2, 4-ESS3-2, 3-5--ETS1-2 |
5.3 Earth Systems 5-ESS2-1, 5-ESS2-2, 5-ESS3-1, 5-PS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-2 |
| K.4 Plants, Animals, & Environments K-LS1-1, K-ESS2-2, K-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3 |
1.4 Animal & Plant Traits 1-LS1-1, 1-LS1-2, 1-LS3-1, K-2-ETS1-1, K-2-ETS1-2 |
2.4 Plants 2-LS2-1, 2-LS2-2 |
3.4 Ecosystem Change & Survival 3-LS4-3, 3-LS4-4, 3-LS5-1 (plants), 3-LS2-1, 3-5-ETS1-2 |
4.4 Structure & Function 4-LS1-1, 4-LS1-2, 4-PS4-2 |
5.4 Sun, Moon, & Star Patterns 5-ESS1-1, 5-ESS1-2 |
High-Quality Instructional Materials
All of the units have been rated as “quality” by the Science Peer Review Panel at NextGenScience and are the only curriculum designed for the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) that has had every unit rated as quality by the Science Peer Review Panel at NextGenScience. In contrast, 93% of instructional materials submitted to the Science Peer Review Panel for review do not achieve a quality ranking. The reviews for all of our units are available on NextGenScience’s page Lessons and Units: Quality Examples of NGSS Design.
Professional Learning
Before implementing these instructional materials in the classroom, educators are strongly encouraged to attend professional learning to ensure effective and informed usage. The Liberty Science Center is a certified provider of this professional learning and offers sessions designed to support educators in understanding and applying the material with confidence and fidelity.
For more information on scheduling or registering for professional learning opportunities, please visit Liberty Science Center Professional Development.
