Science - Early Elementary
11. Understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments and solve problems.
Student Language: I can understand how to study science, do experiments and solve problems using science.
11 A. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of scientific inquiry
Student Language: I wonder why, look carefully, write down what I see, ask questions and discover patterns.
11.A.1a Describe an observed event.
FIRST GRADE: The students will observe plant growth.
SECOND GRADE: The students will observe and record, in journal form, from one or more of the following: weather, phases of the moon, effects of earthquakes, violent storms, how fossils are formed and food chains (dinosaurs, ocean life).
11.A.1b Develop questions on scientific topics.
FIRST GRADE: The students will do KWL charts on various scientific topics.
SECOND GRADE: The students will build KWL chart based on previous topics.
11.A.1c Collect data for investigations using measuring instruments and technologies.
KINDERGARTEN: Using links, students will measure objects in classroom and record data.
FIRST GRADE: The students will collect data on plants using rulers to measure.
SECOND GRADE: The students will collect data on above topics using appropriate tools.
11.A.1d Record and store data using available technologies.
KINDERGARTEN: Each student will be measured at the beginning and end of school year to observe their growth.
FIRST GRADE: The students will complete graphs, which show data.
SECOND GRADE: The students will record data by using a variety of graphs and charts.
11.A.1e Arrange data into logical patterns and describe the patterns.
KINDERGARTEN: Through charts and timelines, students will be able to put daily activities into a logical pattern.
FIRST GRADE: The students will do a daily weather graphs and describe the weather.
SECOND GRADE: The students will discuss patterns in graphs and charts.
11.A.1f Compare observations of individual and group results.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will observe and compare seeds growing. Students will compare sizes of a baby, child and adult.
FIRST GRADE: The students will compare each others’ results on various experiments.
SECOND GRADE: The students will discuss results and compare them.
11 B. Know and apply the concepts, principles and processes of technological design.
Student Language: I can design, use and redesign something that helps me solve a problem and can show how something works.
11.B.1a Given a simple design problem, formulate possible solutions.
KINDERGARTEN: Through the use of shapes, students will discover how things are related to shapes.
SECOND GRADE: The students will create a recycling atmosphere in which students will develop possible solutions to earth’s garbage problem.
11.B.1b Design a device that will be useful in solving the problem.
SECOND GRADE: The students will discuss devices that help recycle.
11.B.1c Build the device using the materials and tools provided.
SECOND GRADE: The students will create a device from discussion to help recycle.
11.B.1d Test the device and record results using given instruments, techniques and measurement methods.
SECOND GRADE: The students will sort collected items and record results using discussional measurement materials.
11.B.1e Report the design of the device, the test process and the results in solving a given problem.
SECOND GRADE: The students will discuss the process of collecting and recycling. The benefits being the conservation of Earth’s natural resources.
12. Understand the fundamental concepts, principles and interconnections of the life, physical and earth/space sciences.
Student Language: I can understand basic concepts involving living things, properties of objects, energy, how and why things move, the earth, the planets and the solar system.
12 A. Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt and change.
Student Language: I can describe the different parts of living things and tell how they are alike and different.
FIRST GRADE: The students will construct a class book to show how living things (plants) change and adapt as they grow.
SECOND GRADE: The students will record in a journal the life cycle (function, adapt and change) of dinosaurs.
12.A.1a Identify and describe the component parts of living things (e.g., birds have feathers; people have bones, blood, hair, skin) and their major functions.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will collect samples to identify by touching and feeling.
FIRST GRADE: The students will illustrate and describe living things and their identifying parts. The students will observe (Project Visuals) animals, people and discuss coverings. They will discuss the human body and the functions of the respiratory, circulatory and digestive systems. They will also discuss skeletons and how bones work.
SECOND GRADE: The students will create models (skeletons) and label parts.
12.A.1b Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features (e.g., size, color, shape, backbone).
KINDERGARTEN: Students will categorize eye color, hair color and number of teeth through graphs and charts.
FIRST and SECOND GRADE: The students will sort and chart similarities and differences of living things (eye/hair color, size, skin covering, skeleton).
12 B. Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.
Student Language: I know what living things need to stay alive and what they need to get along with each other and the environment.
12.B.1a Describe and compare characteristics of living things in relationship to their environments.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will describe how animals move and change with weather (example, hair on bunny).
FIRST GRADE: The students will create dioramas or group pictures to illustrate habitats of animals.
SECOND GRADE: The students will create dioramas of life long ago (dinosaurs).
12.B.1b Describe how living things depend on one another for survival.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will compare wild animals to tame animals.
FIRST GRADE: The students will understand food chains and create one for an animal.
SECOND GRADE: The students will develop a food chain for dinosaur and ocean life. They will describe the effects of a broken food chain.
12 C. Know and apply concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them.
Student Language: I can tell about different ways we can make of get energy and how it is used. I can tell how things are the same and how they are different.
12.C.1a Identify and compare sources of energy (e.g., batteries, the sun).
KINDERGARTEN: Students will operate a flashlight and compare to electric cords.
SECOND GRADE: The students will identify the sun as a source of energy (heat and light).
12.C.1b Compare large-scale physical properties of matter (e.g., size, shape, color, texture, odor).
KINDERGARTEN: Students will compare and discuss the physical properties of animals and plants.
FIRST GRADE: In All Sorts of Things (Unit in Project Visuals) students learn to describe objects in terms of shape, color and size.
12 D. Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.
Student Language: I can show the different ways things can move. I can tell how gravity and magnets work.
12.D.1a Identify examples of motion (e.g., moving in a straight line, vibrating, rotating).
KINDERGARTEN: Students will participate in action songs to identify different forms of motion.
12.D.1b Identify observable forces in nature (e.g., pushes, pulls, gravity, magnetism).
KINDERGARTEN: Students will observe forces in nature by pushing and pulling, through a demonstration of opposites.
12 E. Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the Earth and its resources.
Student Language: I can tell about the land, oceans and atmosphere of Earth. I can compare the seasons, weather and sun patterns.
12.E.1a Identify components and describe diverse features of the Earth’s land, water and atmospheric systems.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will identify and observe samples of soil, sand and water.
SECOND GRADE: The students will make models that illustrate various land/water forms.
12.E.1b Identify and describe patterns of weather and seasonal change.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will identify and describe weather patterns through daily discussions, walks and observations.
FIRST AND SECOND GRADE: The students will chart and graph weather to determine different patterns brought about by seasonal change.
12.E.1c Identify renewable and nonrenewable natural resources.
FIRST GRADE: Using pictures or models, students will sort them according to renewable and non-renewable. The students will discuss how the environment needs to be cared for.
SECOND AND THIRD GRADE: The students will compare and contrast the earth’s resources and identify them as renewable and nonrenewable.
12 F. Know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and Earth's place in it.
Student Language: I can describe the changes we see as Earth turns, as the moon moves around Earth and as Earth moves around the sun. I can tell about the sun and its planets.
12.F.1a Identify and describe characteristics of the sun, Earth and moon as familiar objects in the solar system.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will observe how the earth rotates through the use of a flashlight and globe.
SECOND GRADE: The students will create models of the solar system and describe the sun, Earth and moon.
12.F.1b Identify daily, seasonal and annual patterns related to the Earth’s rotation and revolution.
FIRST GRADE: The students will learn how seasons change, how the earth rotates and revolves around the sun.
SECOND GRADE: The students will illustrate various patterns associated with the rotation and revolution of the Earth.
13. Understand the relationships among science, technology and society in historical and contemporary contexts.
Student Language: I know and follow science safety rules, use scientific equipment, use scientific data accurately, understand how scientists have helped us and understand how science affects our lives.
13 A. Know and apply the accepted practices of science.
Student Language: I know science safety rules and watch out for dangers. I can do a science activity more than once and tell what I have learned.
13.A.1a Use basic safety practices (e.g., not tasting materials without permission, "stop/drop/roll").
KINDERGARTEN, FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GRADE: The students will demonstrate safety precautions and procedures involved in everyday life i.e. fire, bus evacuation, railroad, drugs and weather.
13.A.1b Explain why similar results are expected when procedures are done the same way.
SECOND GRADE: The students will look for experiment fossil drying.
13.A.1c Explain how knowledge can be gained by careful observation.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will discuss the importance of not taking objects from strangers.
FIRST GRADE: The students will observe plant growth and record observations.
SECOND GRADE: The students will be able to compare and contrast (example - Venn Diagram) observations through the use of visuals (Windows).
13 B. Know and apply concepts that describe the interactions between science, technology and society.
Student Language: I can discover science all around me. I can use science equipment. I can tell how science affects my life.
13.B.1a Explain the uses of common scientific instruments (e.g., ruler, thermometer, balance, probe, computer).
KINDERGARTEN: Students will use rulers and yardsticks to observe sizes.
FIRST AND SECOND GRADE: The students will use scientific instruments and explain their purposes orally or on paper.
13.B.1b Explain how using measuring tools improves the accuracy of estimates.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will use basic scales to determine heavy and light and thermometers to observe hot and cold.
FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GRADE: The students will predict measurements and then use appropriate tools to measure accurately.
13.B.1c Describe contributions men and women have made to science and technology.
SECOND AND THIRD GRADE: The students will describe scientists’ work that has contributed to areas of study.
13.B.1d Identify and describe ways that science and technology affect people’s everyday lives (e.g., transportation, medicine, agriculture, sanitation, communication occupations).
KINDERGARTEN: Students will compare and contrast to times during Columbus.
FIRST GRADE: The students will discuss occupations and parents will come in to share their skills (dental hygienist, etc.).
SECOND GRADE: The students will list and illustrate various ways technology has influenced their lives.
13.B.1e Demonstrate ways to reduce, reuse and recycle materials.
KINDERGARTEN: Students will demonstrate ways to reduce, reuse and recycle materials through the participation in Earth Day activities.
FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD GRADE: The students will discuss, act out and illustrate ways they can reduce, reuse and recycle in their environment.