Science

Science

Our First Grade Science curriculum consists of three units: an Earth Science unit (Weather), a Physical Science unit (Matter), and a Life Science unit (Dinosaurs).

Standards based Internet resources for K-2 http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/matrix.cfm

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/resources/sci2.html

http://www.theteacherscorner.net/science/index.htm

model for standards based unit:

http://www.sdcoe.k12.ca.us/score/templates/fulltchr.html

Backward Design: http://www.ascd.org/readingroom/books/wiggins98book.html

book search for content area

http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/scimathlit/searchlist.asp

http://www.sitesforteachers.com/resources_sharp/science/sci__index.html

The first unit we will study is "Weather". It is started in the first trimester and is extended throughout the school year through center activities and records such as graphs.

SCIENCE STANDARD S3c - Changes in the Earth and sky, such as changes caused by weathering, volcanism, and earthquakes: and the patterns of movement of objects in the sky.

Competency Goal 2 – The learner will build an understanding of the changes in weather.

I start this unit by finding out what they already know about weather. This is done by drawing and labeling what they know. This information will be placed in our weather schema folder.

Link to Student Background Knowledge

I will read many books and teach poems about weather throughout the unit to reinforce the concepts taught. Here are just a few of them.

Carol Hurst Winter link: literature links:

http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/winter.html

snow links:

http://www.carolhurst.com/titles/snowflakebentley.html

weather:

http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/weather.html

wind:

http://www.carolhurst.com/subjects/wind.html

Books about snow:

http://www.readingrockets.org/bookclub.php?ID=52

Poems/songs about weather:

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems17.html

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/kids/lyrics/weather.htm

Using Poetry (Reading and Writing) to help think about Weather

http://www.theteacherscorner.net/music/index.htm

The lessons taught come directly from our district science kit (Carolina Biological, Science and Technology for Children Unit: Weather). We will review our schema folder to determine whether information contained is accurate or not to clear up any misconceptions the children may have regarding weather. The written assignments that the children do will be placed in the weather folder that they will create. At the completion of this unit, this folder will go home.

Here is a sample Weather folder:

There are eight objectives to be covered during this unit.

2.01 Observe the weather by using the senses.

One day, we took advantage of the weather during recess to go outside and collect snow (sleet) crystals and examine them with magnifying glasses like the book Snowflake Bentley. Those that were not able to go out because they didn’t have boots were able to share in the excitement indoors. I had to really look hard to find the precipitation cup that I had placed outside our door earlier that morning.

2.02 Discuss and record information about weather features.

2.03 Use simple tools to estimate wind speed and measure temperature and rainfall.

2.04 Observe differences in types of clouds.

2.05 Conduct experiments and draw conclusions about appropriate clothing for different types of weather.

The students will be 'scientists' as they learn to make hypotheses regarding the affect of temperature on the clothing we wear as well as the kind of fabric that best protects against rain.

These are our results:

2.06 Organize weather data on graphs and long term data collection charts.

One of our class jobs is to be the meteorologist. This person goes outside first thing in the morning with a wind flag to determine wind strength, observe the sky for cloud cover and precipitation. These observations are recorded with stamps and posted on our monthly weather calendar.

2.07 Interpret and summarize long-term weather data.

At the end of the month, the students use a weather tally sheet to record the month's stamps. We compare these findings with our monthly weather graph. A monthly temperature graph is kept and discussed also.

2.08 Communicate ideas, observations, and experiences through writing, drawing, and discussion.

I reinforce the basic concepts by providing additional activities during our center time. They will learn how to write a simple weather report, determine wind speed using a basic wind scale, record temperature and precipitation.

Link to Student Learning

After all kit lessons are completed, we will study weather in more depth using their "wonderings" (what they want to learn more about).

USAToday's alphabetical listing of hundreds of weather resources:
http://www.usatoday.com/weather/wresources.htm

NOAA's weather web site:
http://www.noaa.gov/wx.html

Weather

http://www.teachingheart.net/weather.htm

http://www.theteacherscorner.net/thematicunits/weather.htm

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/

http://www.weatherwizkids.com/

http://www.wildwildweather.com/

http://inspire.ospi.wednet.edu:8001/curric/weather/index.html

http://www.geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Tower/1217/barb.html#c

http://www.wxdude.com/basics.html

http://teams.lacoe.edu/documentation/places/science/weather.html

http://www.theschoolbell.com/Links/Weather/weather.html

weather unit http://expage.com/4climate

http://faldo.atmos.uiuc.edu/WEATHER/weather.html

weather pics and icons

http://www.pics4learning.com/?view=sub&cat=Weather

weather webquests:

webquests/how to create:http://expage.com/4WEBQUESTS

http://www.berksiu.k12.pa.us/webquest/Heffner/index.htm

http://www.berksiu.k12.pa.us/webquest/sweeney/index.htm (water cycle)

http://www.berksiu.k12.pa.us/webquest/haller/index.htm (raging storms)

http://www.berksiu.k12.pa.us/webquest/Tulley/default.htm

http://warrensburg.k12.mo.us/webquest/weather/index.htm

http://www.umeedu.maine.edu/coehd/wind/

http://www.uvm.edu/~inquiryb/webquest/sp03/Smith/index.html clouds

weather/seasons:

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/seasons.htm

http://edtech.kennesaw.edu/web/snow.html

why is the sky blue project

http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/sky_blue.html#PROJECTS

http://atozteacherstuff.com/themes/groundhogday.shtml

Weather
Kids' Lightning Information and Safety
Kindergarten Weather lessons
Lesson plans on weather- 2nd grade

Atmosphere & Weather:

A Science lesson on air
Here's a lesson plans on Clouds that involves making on in a jar
A lesson plan on Melting Snow and Thermometers
This is an idea for teaching Seasons and Precipitation
This lesson on Thunderstorms involves a Thunderstorm Simulation
Here's a lesson plan on Lightning Safety
Here's a multidisciplinary plan on The Water Cycle
The following are 5 ideas for a unit on Weather:

This atmospheric science unit is on types of clouds and how they are formed
This is a lesson on tornadoes and their location

Weather Experiments and Activities
Make a Thermometer
Weather in a Box - demonstrates the water cycle
What's the Weather? - record the weather
Wind Affects People - explore the effects of wind on humans and make wind socks to explore wind scales
Leaky Water Bottles - learn about condensation

Background and More
Weather Coloring Books for Children - print them out to help students learn
Clouds and Precipitation - good pictures
Cloud Boutique - picture and information
Weather Map -lots of real time maps available

Lesson Plans
Cloud and Sky Watcher - become aware of the different colors of the sky and clouds
Weather Unit - activities integrate into various subjects
Observing Clouds - a good excuse to go or look outside
Observing the Weather Outside - a Kidpix activity
Windy Things to Make - would be a good activity with an older buddy class or home project

http://www.libsci.sc.edu/miller/Weather.htm

http://www.libsci.sc.edu/miller/Seasons.htm

winter links site: http://midgefrazel.net/snow.html

http://nsidc.org/snow/index.html

Art Ideas:

paper snowflakes: http://www.highhopes.com/snowflakes.html

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/snowflake/

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ArtScienceRainbowsCrayonResistK2.htm

Our second unit is about Matter. We start this unit by having the students explore and write about the 20 solids that we will be testing in the first part of this unit. As a class, we will create charts about what we know and what we want to learn about these objects before we begin our unit. A "Properties of Solids" chart will be created and added to as we progress through the first part of this unit. As an assessment of what they have learned regarding solids, they will have the opportunity to explore and test two new solids. Students will learn how to keep a science journal to record their findings. The second part of this unit deals with liquids.

SCIENCE STANDARD S1a – Properties of objects and materials, such as similarities and differences in size, weight, and color of objects; the ability of materials to react with other substances, and different states of matter.

Competency Goal 1: The learner will build an understanding of the properties and relationship of objects.

There are 12 objectives to be covered during this unit.

1.01 Determine the many ways in which objects can be grouped or classified.

1.02 Conduct tests to investigate the properties of solids and liquids.

1.03 Sort solids into groups on the basis of their properties.

1.04 Compare similarities and differences among solids.

1.05 Compare similarities and differences among liquids.

1.06 Apply tests to investigate new solids and liquids.

1.07 Compare the properties of solids with the properties of liquids.

1.08 Observe the ways in which things move.

1.09 Describe motion of objects by tracing and measuring movement over time.

1.10 Observe that motion can be affected by pushing or pulling.

1.11 Observe that objects can move steadily or change direction.

1.12 Communicate ideas, observations, and experiences through writing, drawing, and discussion.

http://atozteacherstuff.com/themes/magnets.shtml

A well-developed Science unit on Magnetism:

This part of the Magnetism Unit is on What Attracts

This portion involves Making a Magnet

The last section Makes and Uses a Compass

This lesson is called "What is Work?"

Below is a collection of lesson plans to form a Magnet unit:

A brief idea for exploring items that Sink or Float

Sink/float http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=4&DocID=164

sink/float game: Blues Clues online game

www.nickjr.com

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceDistinguishSolidLiquidAndGas24.htm

http://www.lessonplanspage.com/ScienceSolidLiquidGasExploreWithBalloons2.htm

matter webquest

http://www.uvm.edu/~inquiryb/webquest/sp03/Kraham/index.html

Matter: http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=4&DocID=170

http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?BenchmarkID=4&DocID=161

Our third unit is about Living and Non-living Organisms - Dinosaurs.

SCIENCE STANDARD S2d – Change over time, such as evolution and fossil evidence depicting the great diversity of organisms developed over geologic history.

Competency Goal 3 – The learner will build an understanding of change over time.

There are three objectives to be covered during this unit.

Objective 3.01 Identify the similarities and differences in animals.

· Appearance

· Growth

· Purpose

Objective 3.02 Determine the needs of animals.

· Air

· Water

· Food

· Shelter

Objective 3.03 Communicate ideas, observations, and experiences through writing, drawing, and discussion.