In first grade our learning is centered around three different science units. We use FOSS science kits to help us develop a curiosity and interest in science. The units we will be studying are:
The above expectations can be found on FOSSweb: http://www.fossweb.com. Retreived August 8, 2010.
- Earth Science: Air and Weather
Students will:- Develop an interest in air and weather.
- Experience air as a material that takes up space and can be compressed into a smaller space.
- Observe the force of air pressure pushing on objects and materials.
- Observe and describe changes that occur in weather over time.
- Become familiar with instruments used by meteorologists to monitor air and weather conditions.
- Compare monthly and seasonal weather conditions using bar graphs.
- Observe the location of the Sun and the Moon in the sky over a day and the change in the appearance of the Moon over a month.
- Organize and communicate observations through drawing and writing.
- Acquire vocabulary associated with properties of air and weather conditions.
- Physical Science: Solids and Liquids
Students will:- Develop a curiosity and interest in the objects that make up their world.
- Investigate materials constructively during free exploration and in a guided discovery mode.
- Recognize differences between solids and liquids.
- Explore a number of liquids.
- Observe and describe the properties of solids and liquids.
- Sort materials according to properties.
- Combine and separate solids of different particle sizes.
- Observe and describe what happens when solids are mixed with water.
- Observe and describe what happens when other liquids are mixed with water.
- Use information gathered to conduct an investigation on an unknown material.
- Acquire the vocabulary associated with the properties of solids and liquids.
- Use written and oral language to describe observations.
- Life Science: Feature Factors - our first new unit from Phenomenal Science (we are transitioning from FOSS to this new program) Students will observe how plants and animals have offspring and some may look similar but not exactly like their parents/adults. Students will explore how plants and animals have features (external and internal) that allow them to survive, grow, and meet their needs. Students will make many observations about plant and animal parts and how they use their parts to help them survive. They will observe how different plants and animals support their offspring in survival. Students will classify similar animals that can vary in many ways. Students will then apply their understanding of plant and animal survival in order to gain ideas about how to engineer something to solve a human problem. Students will use their knowledge of plant and animal parts to mimic one of these parts to design a solution to a human problem. Students will construct explanations and models for multiple engineering tasks. (from Michigan Virtual Learning Object Repository)
The above expectations can be found on FOSSweb: http://www.fossweb.com. Retreived August 8, 2010.