Keys to the Past

The education team is actively reviewing the list of in-class and in-park programs that are offered. We are evaluating our current programs to ensure that what is taught, and how it is taught, aligns with the NGSS philosophy of emphasizing practices and processes over passive knowledge.

As we make changes, we welcome you to contact us with any comments or suggestions.

 

Content Standards for California Public Schools

 

Science	Grade four — Life Sciences: 3. Living organisms depend on one another and on their environment for survival. As a basis for understanding this concept: b. Students know that in any particular environment, some kinds of plants and animals survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all. c. Students know many plants depend on animals for pollination and seed dispersal, and animals depend on plants for food and shelter.
History/Social Science	Grade four — 4.0 Students learn the story of their home state, unique in American history in terms of its vast and varied geography, its many waves of immigration beginning with pre-Columbian societies, its continuous diversity, economic energy, and rapid growth. In addition to the specific treatment of milestones in California history, students examine the state in the context of the rest of the nation, with an emphasis on the U.S. Constitution and the relationship between state and federal government. Grade five — 5.0 Students in grade five study the development of the nation up to 1850, with an emphasis on the people who were already here, when and from where others arrived, and why they came. Students learn about the colonial government founded on Judeo-Christian principles, the ideals of the Enlightenment, and the English traditions of self-government. They recognize that ours is a nation that has a constitution that derives its power from the people, that has gone through a revolution, that once sanctioned slavery, that experienced conflict over land with the original inhabitants, and that experienced a westward movement that took its people across the continent. Studying the cause, course, and consequences of the early explorations through the War for Independence and western expansion is central to students’ fundamental understanding of how the principles of the American republic form the basis of a pluralistic society in which individual rights are secured.
Language Arts	Grade four — Reading Comprehension: Comprehension and Analysis of Grade-Level-Appropriate Text 2.4 Evaluate new information and hypotheses by testing them against known information and ideas. Grade four — Listening and Speaking Strategies: Comprehension: 1.1 Ask thoughtful questions and respond to relevant questions with appropriate elaboration in oral settings. Grade four — Listening and Speaking Strategies: Comprehension: 1.2 Summarize major ideas and supporting evidence presented in spoken messages and formal presentations Grade five — Word Recognition: 1.1 Read aloud narrative and expository text fluently and accurately and with appropriate pacing, intonation, and expression. Grade five— Listening and Speaking Strategies: Comprehension: 1.1 Ask questions that seek information not already discussed.
Mathematics	Grade four — Number Sense 3.0 Students solve problems involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and understand the relationships among the operations: 3.1 Demonstrate an understanding of, and the ability to use, standard algorithms for the addition and subtraction of multidigit numbers. Grade five — Number sense: 2.0 Students perform calculations and solve problems involving addition, subtraction, and simple multiplication and division of fractions and decimals.