Eco Explorers Curriculum Map K-5 ECO
K-5 NextGen Science Framework
ECO-EXPLORERS
K-5 Environmental Stewardship, Ecology & Energy Conservation
Department Elementary Science
Target Audience Instructional Board
Standard Alignment NGSS / CA-ESS3
Implementation District-Wide K-5
Scientific Foundations & Vision
This elementary curriculum map establishes an inquiry-based pathway that transforms students from curious observers of nature into proactive environmental stewards. By integrating three-dimensional NGSS learning science—linking disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts—this framework cultivates early fluency in ecological dynamics, sustainable energy practices, and citizen-based action protocols.
Core Academic Foundations
Ecology Dynamics
Investigating biodiversity, food webs, habitat interdependence, and species survival requirements.
Stewardship
Practical conservation initiatives, zero-waste principles, water protection, and habitat restoration.
Active Tracking
Conducting outdoor tracking and birding on site. Constructing a collaborative, schoolwide bird count database.
Grade-Band Scaffolding & Milestones
Kinder & Gr 1 Foundations
Theme: Local Habitats & Simple Resource Care NGSS: K-ESS3-3 & 1-LS1
Grade 2 & 3 Intermediates
Theme: Interdependent Ecosystems & Biodiversity NGSS: 2-LS2-2 & 3-LS4-4
Grade 4 & 5 Advanced
Theme: Energy Systems, Stewardship & Action Design NGSS: 4-ESS3-1 & 5-ESS3-1
K-5 Environmental Stewardship Curriculum Map Page 1 of 2
Section 2: Standards Alignment
K-5 ECOLOGY STANDARDS MATRIX
ECO-EXPLORERS
Grade Level NGSS Standards Rigorous Performance Objectives Key Assessment Metrics K & GRADE 1
Local Resources & Conservation |
K-ESS3-3: Reduce human impact solutions1-LS1-1: biomimicry structural designs
| Illustrate simple ways to conserve local water and reduce landfill waste in the classroom. Engineer a physical prototype inspired by native plant survival strategies to conserve energy. |
Formative: Interactive trash relays & mimicry sketches.
Summative: Classroom waste audit & action plan.
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GRADES 2 & 3
Interdependence & Biodiversity |
2-LS2-2: Pollination & dispersal models3-LS4-4: Solutions for habitat changes
| Construct physical pollinator models demonstrating plant interdependence. Analyze a simulated wetland ecosystem change and design a mitigation strategy protecting endangered regional biodiversity. |
Formative: Pollinator path maps, habitat field journals.
Summative: Schoolyard Garden Restoration Proposal.
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GRADE 4
Energy Systems & Efficiency |
4-ESS3-1: Renewable vs. fossil fuels4-PS3-4: Energy converter devices
| Differentiate solar, wind, and fossil-fuel footprints. Design, build, and test a working model of a solar cooker or miniature wind turbine to assess clean electrical conversion efficiency. |
Formative: Renewable fuel charts & efficiency audits.
Summative: Solar/wind prototype & laboratory writeup.
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GRADE 5
Ecosystem Protection & Soil Biology |
5-ESS3-1: Human impact on Earth resources5-LS2-1: Nutrient and energy cycling
| Design and engineer a biologically active soil profile using organic waste compost, leaf litter, sand/silt/clay boundaries, and active decomposers to model and analyze nutrient cycling rates. |
Formative: Soil respiration sketches, biome web models.
Summative Capstone: Active Soil Profile Engineering Lab.
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Administrative Sign-Off & NGSS Compliance
I verify that this curriculum map meets all instructional rigors and K-5 NextGen standards.
Authorized Signature
Date Approved
K-5 Environmental Stewardship Curriculum Map Page 2 of 2
Course Syllabus Handout K-5 Environmental Stewardship
COURSE SYLLABUS
Empowering K-5 Eco-Explorers. Outdoor Tracking and Birding will be carried out on site. Students will help to build on site bird count.
Eco Lead Teacher Ms. Casey
Welcome to Our Living Classroom
Dear Parents, Guardians, and Young Eco-Explorers,
Welcome to the K-5 Environmental Stewardship and Ecology course! This year, our school transforms into an active, living laboratory where students inspect local insect communities, grow native seeds, and build working models of renewable solar and wind devices. Through playful discovery, citizen-science projects, and schoolwide resource conservation campaigns, your child won't just learn about science—they will become active helpers protecting our beautiful Earth. We are so excited to partner with your family to nurture healthy habits, environmental empathy, and scientific minds!
Classroom Earth Rules
Earth Empathy: We protect and care for all living things in our gardens, our campus, and our households.
Curious Minds: We observe closely, ask deep questions, collect patterns, and run hands-on tests to solve environmental problems.
Resource Guarding: We protect our energy and water. We recycle, compost, and avoid wasting school resources. We respect ourselves and other living creatures.
The Outdoor Gear & Kit
Please ensure students are equipped with these items on Nature Lab days (schedule sent weekly).
Nature Notebook: Spiral-bound or sketchbookOutdoor Shoes: Sturdy closed-toe sneakersWeather Gear: A light jacket or sun hatArt Tools: Colored pencils and a glue stick
COnnecting with earth systems
Students may explore nature based and classroom based learning to build lasting connections.
Nature Walk-Ins Monday, Wedneday and Friday
Active Soil Lab Designing biologically active horizons.
Campus Walks Investigating species bonds in nature.
Bird Tracker Collaborating on local avian counts.
K-5 Environmental Stewardship Syllabus Page 1 of 2
Section 2: Cooperation & Projects
PARTNERSHIP & CONSERVATION
School Year 2026-2027
Evaluation Metrics
Hands-On Garden & Eco Labs 40%
Soil Profile Project Guide Grade 5 Capstone Science Lab
SOIL PROFILE ENGINEERING
Design, build, and nurture a biologically active subterranean habitat
NGSS 5-LS2-1
Student Engineer Name: ______________________
Science Block Class: _____________________
Date Launched Date: ______________________
The Eco-Engineering Mission
Soil is not just dirt—it is a thriving, living ecosystem! Your mission is to design and build a biologically active soil profile inside a transparent observation container. You must engineer specific horizons (layers) to support active decomposers, ensure balanced oxygen/moisture flow, and kickstart a healthy nutrient cycle. By feeding your soil organic matter and managing its moisture, you will nurture microscopic and macroscopic life!
Soil Horizon Blueprint
Construct your column utilizing these engineered horizons from bottom to top:
1
Horizon R/C (Bedrock & Subsoil): Small pebbles or coarse gravel to assist drainage and prevent soil rot.
2
Horizon B (Subsoil): Pure sandy clay to test water permeation rates.
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Horizon A (Topsoil & Compost): Dark, nutrient-rich potting soil blended with active worms/decomposers and organic matter.
4
Horizon O (Organic litter): Dry leaves, grass clippings, and vegetable scraps to feed your decomposer helpers.
Materials Checklist
Clear bottle or jar Pea gravel (drainage) Sandy clay subsoil Rich humus / compost Dry leaves & twigs Active worms/isopods
Construction Steps
Clean out your clear observation column and punch tiny ventilation holes in the lid.
Carefully add 2 inches of Horizon R/C gravel.
Pack 2 inches of Horizon B sandy clay.
Gently blend decomposers into Horizon A, and layer 3-4 inches on top of your subsoil.
Top with Horizon O plant leaf litter and vegetable food. Hydrate with a gentle mist of water.
Living Soil Engineering Project Guide Page 1 of 2
Part 2: Soil Lab Record
OBSERVATION & MODELING LOG
Active Science Log
Scientific Sketch of Soil Profile
Carefully sketch your engineered soil column below. Label all four horizons (O, A, B, R/C) and show where your decomposers are living!
Scientific Drawing Area
Weekly Progress Metrics
Nature Walk Log Sheet K-5 Outdoor Science Lab
CAMPUS NATURE WALK LOG
Explore local species, track ecological bonds, and protect Earth's systems
FIELD GUIDE
Eco Explorer Name: ______________________
Explore Date Date: ______________________
Weather Conditions ☀️ / ☁️ / 🌧️ • Temp: ______
Your Field Mission
Step outside, quiet your voice, and open your eyes to our campus ecosystem! Your goal is to find living organisms (biotic elements ) and non-living resources (abiotic elements ), and map how they connect with one another. Look closely under rocks, inside flowers, and up in the trees to spot secret relationships in nature.
Part 1: Campus Ecosystem Checklist
Search the campus landscape and check off each element of life you observe in person:
1. Producers (Plants)
Green Leafy Shrub Wildflower / Blossom Tall Canopy Tree
2. Consumers (Animals)
Flying Insect / Bee Bird / Feathered Friend Squirrel / Crawler
3. Soil & Non-Living
Worm / Isopod / Fungus Wet, Dark Soil Pebbles / Bedrock
Part 2: Species Relationship Tracker
Nature relies on teamwork! Find two organisms on campus that are interacting (such as a bee feeding on a flower, or a bird nesting inside a tree branch). Record their relationship below:
First Organism / Resource Second Organism / Resource Describe Their Connection (How do they help each other?)
Campus Nature Walk Log Page 1 of 2
Part 3: Ecosystem Connections
THE WEB OF LIFE
Active Science Log
Part 3: Sketch a Campus Food Chain
Create a 3-step food chain modeling energy flow on campus using organisms you saw (or know live here!). Use arrows to connect them! (Example: Clover Flower → Grasshopper → Robin Bird).
1. Producer Draw Plant Here
2. Primary Consumer Draw Herbivore Here
3. Secondary Consumer Draw Carnivore Here
Part 4: Big Picture Eco-Reflection
Reflect on your discoveries and answer the following questions in complete sentences.
1. Species Interdependence: Why are species relationships (like insects pollinating garden flowers) so important for the survival of the larger campus environment?
2. Abiotic Connection: How does a non-living element you saw today (like sunlight, soil nutrients, or air temperature) impact the living plants or animals on campus?
