Science Vocabulary Cards & Big Idea Posters for Elementary Grades
Science vocabulary cards give students a concrete way to connect science terms with pictures, definitions, and examples. When students can see a word, talk about it, match it to a visual, and use it during a unit, those technical science terms become much easier to remember and apply.
These Science Vocabulary Cards and Big Idea Posters are aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards and can be used in second, third, fourth, and fifth grade classrooms. They work well for science word walls, small-group centers, review activities, and unit displays.
These Science Vocabulary Cards and Big Idea Posters are available for second grade, third grade, fourth grade and fifth grade. They include two sets of vocabulary cards and big idea posters.
Science Vocabulary Cards
The Science Vocabulary Cards come in two formats: larger cards with just the word and definition and three-part cards that include a picture.
The larger cards have the word and definition on separate cards. You can choose to display just the words or match both the word and definition on your display.
The three-part cards are smaller. They include the word, a definition, and a picture.
The three-part cards can also support deeper word work. After students match the word, definition, and picture, choose one important term for a Frayer Model so students can add examples, non-examples, and characteristics in their own words.
The above images show vocabulary cards from second grade, third grade, and fourth-grade science topics aligned with the NGSS.
For example, weather and climate units are full of words students need to use with precision. If you are teaching those concepts, the weather vocabulary activities and climate vocabulary activities posts show how to move students from recognizing terms to using them in discussions, writing, and data-based explanations.
Ways to Use Science Vocabulary Cards in the Classroom
Once students have been introduced to the words in a unit, the cards can become much more than a display. Use them for matching games, partner quizzes, small-group centers, open sorts, exit tickets, and quick review before students read or write about a science concept.
If you want more ideas for turning the cards into active practice, this post on science vocabulary activities includes matching, sorting, speaking, writing, and word wall routines that work across life, earth, and physical science units.
Big Idea Posters for the NGSS Standards
The Big Idea Posters are created around the central ideas of each of the Next Generation Science Standards. On the posters is a bold word or phrase that is the subject of the poster and the remaining sentence that explains the idea. There is also one or more images on each poster.
Take a Look at the Big Idea Posters for Third-Grade
How to Purchase These Vocabulary cards and Big Idea Posters
The Science Vocabulary Cards and Big Idea Posters area available on my website and on Teachers Pay Teachers. They are available by grade level and as a larger bundle.
More Information about the NGSS
We have aligned all of our science materials to the Next Generation Science Standards. Below is some information about how we wrote our science curriculum and other information to get you started with teaching the NGSS, science stations and our 5E units.
- Free Science Station for Second Grade, Third Grade, Fourth Grade
- How to Read the Next Generation Science Standards
- 4 Tips for Successful Science Stations
- 5E Unit Plans for Third Grade
Jessica BOschen
Jessica is a teacher, homeschool parent, and entrepreneur. She shares her passion for teaching and education on What I Have Learned. Jessica has 16 years of experience teaching elementary school and currently homeschools her two middle and high school boys. She enjoys scaffolding learning for students, focusing on helping our most challenging learners achieve success in all academic areas.