GRADE 1 SCIENCE CURRICULUM

SCIENCE PROCESSES

Inquiry Process

Students Will:

Make purposeful observation of the natural world using the appropriate senses.

Generate questions based on observations.

Plan and conduct simple investigations.

Manipulate simple tools (ruler, meter stick, measuring cups, hand lens, thermometer, balance) that aid observation and data collection.

Make accurate measurements with appropriate units (non-standard) for the measurement tool.

Construct simple charts and graphs from data and observations.

Inquiry Analysis and Communication

Students Will:

Share ideas about science through purposeful conversation.

Communicate and present findings of observations.

Develop strategies and skills for information gathering.

Reflection and Social Implications

Students Will:

Demonstrate scientific concepts through various illustrations, performances, models, exhibits, and activities.

Recognize that science investigations are done more thatn one time.

PHYSICAL SCIENCE

Properties of Matter

Physical Properties

Students Will:

Demonstrate the ability to sort objects according to observable attributes such as color, shape, size, sinking or floating.

States of Matter

Students Will:

Demonstrate that water as a solid keeps its own shape.

Demonstrate that water as a liquid takes on the shape of various containers.

Magnets

Students Will:

Identify materials that are attracted by magnets.

Observe that like poles of a magnet repel and unlike poles of a magnet attract.

LIFE SCIENCE

Organization of Living Things

Life Requirements

Students Will:

Identify the needs of animals.

Life Cycles

Students Will:

Describe the life cycle of animals including the following stages: egg, young, adult; egg, larva, pupa, adult.

Heredity

Observable Characteristics

Students Will:

Identify characteristics (legs, body parts, beak shape, etc.) that are passed on from parents to young

Classify young animals based on characteristics that are passed on from parents (dogs/puppies, cats/kittens, etc.)

EARTH SCIENCE

Earth Systems

Solar Energy

Students Will:

Identify the sun as the most important source of heat which warms the land, air, and water of the Earth.

Demonstrate the importance of sunlight and warmth in plant growth.

Weather

Students Will:

Compare daily changes in the weather related to temperature (cold, hot, warm, cool); cloud cover (cloudy, partly cloudy, foggy) precipitation (rain, snow, hail, freezing rain); wind (breezy, windy, calm).

Describe and compare weather related to the four seasons in terms of temperature, cloud cover, precipitation, and wind.

Describe severe weather events.

Describe precautions that should be taken for human safety during severe weather conditions (thunderstorms, lightning, tornadoes, high winds, blizzards, hurricanes).

Weather Measurement

Students Will:

Identify the tools that might be used to measure temperature, precipitations, cloud cover and wind.

Observe and collect data of weather conditions over a period of time.

Solid Earth

Earth Materials

Students Will:

Describe how Earth materials contribute to the growth of plant and animal life.