Amplify Science K–5 FAQ

Getting started FAQs

Q: Is there anywhere I can get the digital cards for printing?
A: You can find materials in the Printable Resources area. For more information on navigating around in Amplify Science, watch this video. 

Q: Where can I find digital books?
A: You can find them in the digital library or the Elementary Apps page. They both can be found in the Program and Apps menu.

Q: What Spanish supports are available for Amplify Science?
A: Learn more about the Spanish materials in Amplify Science. 

Q: Where do I find the classroom slides?
A: Classroom Slides provide a convenient option for presenting student instructions, student prompts, and other text and visuals. You can access them from the Digital Resources area of the Lesson Brief. They’re also fully editable so that you can customize them for your own classroom!

Q: How do I set up my classroom wall?
A: There are 3 main sections of the Classroom Wall: 

1. Unit & Chapter Question
2. Key Concepts
3. Vocabulary

The Unit Question is introduced at the beginning of an Amplify Science unit. The Chapter Questions are introduced in the first or second lesson in each chapter. Chapter Questions go underneath the Unit Question. 

Then there is a Key Concepts header and a Vocabulary header. These go next to the Unit Question but can be placed wherever you have space nearby. Position relevant cards under each category as you come across them throughout the unit. 

On the curriculum website, the Lesson Brief and Instructional Guide will indicate which to post when and where. You can also find examples of real classroom walls in the Amplify Science Facebook group.

Q: How can I organize my science kit? 
A: There is a video with details on unpacking a kit on the Amplify Science Program Hub under Professional Learning Resources: Getting Started.

Q: In what order should I teach the units, and how long does each take?
A: Learn more about pacing guidance by reviewing this help article. 

Q: Can I see a sample lesson video?
A: You can find sample lesson videos in the Amplify Science Program Hub.

Q: Do you have specific resources/guides for differentiation?
A: Yes, check out the Program Guide with additional information for differentiation! We also have differentiation suggestions in every lesson, which can be found on the Lesson Brief.

Q: How much time do you suggest we dedicate for prepping for each unit?
A: Check out the Materials and Preparation section on the Unit Overview page for timing suggestions under “Preparation at a Glance” and reference the Amplify Science Pacing Guidance help article. 

Q: What suggestions do you have to keep engagement high during lessons?
A: Here are a few suggestions:
1. Stick to the suggested timing of the activities.

2. Take advantage of the engaging problem context students are exploring and be engaged along with your students. 

3. Join our Facebook group. 

4. Check out this help article on implementing Amplify Science. 

Q: What advice do you have for teachers who can’t fit in all the lessons or need to take out some of the material in order to fit it in?
A: If pacing needs to slow down, particularly at the beginning of the year, it is best to teach an entire unit well rather than teaching parts of units. If you need to make choices for units you could consider the following:

• There are no “power standards” or “priority content” identified for science; all standards are important.
• We suggest following the Amplify Science scope and sequence to start with the first unit in the year. This is particularly important in grades K–1 where the units represent a developmental progression throughout the year.
• You can find out more about timing, along with some planning guides here.

Data FAQs

Q: How can I access the benchmark assessments?
A: The Science Benchmark Assessments by Amplify are designed to help teachers measure student progress toward the three dimensions (Disciplinary Core Ideas, Scientific and Engineering Practices, and Cross-cutting Concepts) and performance expectations of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). They provide important insight into how students are progressing toward mastery of different standards ahead of high-stakes, end-of-year assessments.

Student usage FAQs

Q: How do my students access the sims?
A: For grades K–5 there are two main categories of digital tools: Simulations and Science Practice Tools (often modeling tools, but also sorting, scale, and graphing tools). Students will access these from the Elementary Apps page.

Q: Is there a way to access the student notebooks digitally?
A: All versions of Amplify Science have access to a PDF version of the student notebooks in the “Printable Resources” section of each unit.

Finding help FAQs

Q: Do you have more information about Amplify Science that I can send to caregivers?
A: You can find the Science caregiver site here: 
English: amplify.com/caregiver-hub/amplify-science/  
Spanish: amplify.com/amplify-science-family-resources-intro-spanish/

Q: How can I get help?
A: First, visit our help library to search for articles with answers to your program questions. Need an answer fast? Chat with us! Click the orange icon while logged into the curriculum to get immediate help in the middle of the school day.