Unifying Concepts and
Processes
Systems, Order, & Organization
Laws of force, motion, classification of organisms, planetary motion.
Evidence, Models, Explanation
Prediction, probability, hypotheses, models, laws.
Constancy, Change, Measurement
Rate, scale, patterns, trends, cycles.
Evolution & Equilibrium
Changes in environment, populations, ecosystems, conservation of energy, natural- and
human- induced hazards.
Form & Function
Diversity and adoption of organisms, interaction of energy and matter, behavior of
organisms.
Science as Inquiry
Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigation.
Design and conduct scientific investigation.
Use technology and mathematics to improve investigation and
communication.
Formulate and revise scientific explanations and models using logic and
evidence |
Content
Life Science:
Characteristics of Organisms
 | Distinguish between living/non-living things. |
| Identify plants and animals as living things. |
Life
Cycles and Heredity
| Describe and sequence the life cycle of a plant or mammal species. |
| Describe changes caused by growth. |
| Describe observations of personal growth changes experienced from birth to kindergarten. |
| Match animal offspring with parent. |
Organisms
and Their Environment
| Identify the five senses and the part of the body that controls that sense. |
| Describe how seasonal changes effect the appearance and lives of people. |
Earth and Space Science:
Structure
of the Earth System
| Describe some examples of water, rocks, soil, and living organisms found on the school
grounds. |
Earth
in the Solar System
| Compare events that distinguish day from night. |
Physical Science:
Chemistry
- Properties of Matter
| Sort objects by a single observable variable such as texture, color, hardness, etc. |
| Demonstrate objects that float/sink. |
Physics
– Motion and Forces
| Describe the way bodies can move (straight line, zig-zag, back and forth, fast, slow,
etc.). |
Technology and
Engineering:
Materials
and Tools
| Distinguish between natural and manmade (manufactured)
materials. |
| Identify and explain possible uses for natural materials (wood,
cotton, wool, and fur) |
| Identify and explain possible uses for synthetic materials
(plastic, Styrofoam). |
| Identify, describe, and demonstrate the safe and proper use of
tools (glue, scissors, tape, ruler) and materials (paper, toothpicks, straws, spools) to
construct simple structures. |
| Construct simple two-dimensional objects using some of these
classroom tools and materials. |
Engineering
Design Process
| Identify and explain common uses of the wheel. |
| Describe and compare how humans and animals use parts of their
bodies as tools (teeth for cutting). |
|
Science Applications
Identify a problem or design an opportunity.
Propose designs and choose between alternative solutions.
Implement a proposed solution.
Evaluate the solution and its proposed consequences.
Communicate the problem, process, and solution.
Science: Personal & Social Perspectives
Personal and community health.
Population growth.
Natural resources.
Environmental quality.
Natural- and Human-induced hazards.
History and Nature
of Science
Science as Human Endeavor
Requiring reasoning, insight, energy, skill, and creativity, as well as habits of mind,
i.e., intellectual honesty, tolerance of ambiguity, skepticism, and openness to new ideas.
Nature of Scientific Knowledge
Including evaluation of experiments, observations, theoretical models, proposed
explanations, evidence, reasoning, and alternate conclusions.
Historical Perspectives
Including the study of famous scientists and discoveries. |