Introduction to Third Grade

	Performance Expectation Analysis	Performance Expectations represent the things students should know, understand, and be able to do to be proficient in science. Performance Expectations are the standards. Each Performance Expectation is built around A Framework for K-12 Science Education recommendation that science education in grades K-12 be built around three major dimensions:   1. Science and Engineering Practices 2. Crosscutting Concepts 3. Disciplinary Core Ideas (NRC, 2012, p. 2)   The additional components in the standard documents serve as support for instructors in providing clarity and further guidance for each Performance Expectation.   Analysis for each standard is provided in a manner to support deep understanding for the teacher. A Framework for K-12 Science Education includes grade band endpoints for second, fifth, eighth, and twelfth grades. This information provides guidance on where students should be in their understanding of each objective by the ends of those grade levels.
	Instructional Bundles	The instructional bundles represent curricular resources developed by Oklahoma teachers to help teachers translate standards into classroom practice. The Framework Overviews represent how a group of Oklahoma teachers, at a given grade level, might bundle performance expectations/standards found in the Oklahoma Academic Standards for Science. Bundling is how teachers would group performance expectations/standards for the purpose of developing instructional units of study.
	Vertical Progressions	Vertical progression documents are provided for the Disciplinary Core Ideas, Crosscutting Concepts, and the Science & Engineering Practices. There is also a Domain Comparison Chart that provides a quick look at the DCI found in each grade level.

The performance expectations in third grade help students formulate answers to questions such as: “What is typical weather in different parts of the world and during different times of the year? How can the impact of weather-related hazards be reduced? How do organisms vary in their traits? How are plants, animals, and environments of the past similar or different from current plants, animals, and environments? What happens to organisms when their environment changes? How do equal and unequal forces on an object affect the object? How can magnets be used?” In the third grade performance expectations, students are expected to demonstrate grade-appropriate proficiency in asking questions and defining problems; developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations and designing solutions, engaging in argument from evidence, and obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information. Students are expected to use these practices to demonstrate understanding of the core ideas.

Introduction to the OKSci Framework