The Comparison of the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea and the New Science Curriculum of Japan in Elementary School Levels

한국의 제7차 과학과 교육과정과 일본의 이과 신교육과정 비교 - 초등학교 교육과정을 중심으로 -

The 7th Science Curriculum of Korea is applied in elementary schools from 2000, and the New Science Curriculum of Japan is applied in schools from 2002. In this study, we made a comparison between the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea and the New Science Curriculum of Japan in relation to Elementary school in aspects of construction, aim, and contents. The major findings of this study are as follows. 1. The New Science Curriculum of Japan presents a specific aim, treatment of content, and process skills according to grade, but the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea does not classify them according to grade. Hence the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea emphasize on the sequence between grades. 2. In aim of Science Curriculum, the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea show more emphasis on the practical application than the New Science Curriculum of Japan. 3. In construction of content, a area of science content is handled with gradual advance in several grades and several areas of content are treated in a grade in the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea. On the contrary, a area of content is treated intensively in a grade in the New Science Curriculum of Japan. Therefore, the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea shows more reflection of connection and hierarchy between grades. 4. The statements of the 7th Science Curriculum of Korea are centering around specific matters and include specific activities, but the New Science Curriculum of Japan focuses on concepts to team and does not state specific activities.