. . . K-3 Science Curriculum
Kindergarten Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3
Click grade level above to download State Standards in MPS format
Units summarized under each grade level are available from the SSRC. (click to order)
Kindergarten
Click here to download a "Microsoft Word"
document to refurbish Early Explorations in Science. Complete the
form and email as directed.
Questions? Cheryl McCaw, 472-0262
A to Z Science
A
to Z Science is an optional integrated science program. Teachers who
complete the two-hour district inservice receive the manual and
materials for teaching this program. The materials will then be housed
in the individual teacher’s classroom. Professional Development offers
training for this program. Check your Professional Development catalog
in the Science/Social Sciences section online.
Growing Materials
Teachers receive a class set of planting materials. Students plant seeds and observe their growth.
Grade 1 (top)
Gr. 1 Ordering Tips
Habitats (Life Science)
This unit takes a look at
the characteristics of living things, the similarities and differences between
groups of animals, and the habitats in which animals and plants live. Using
language acquisition strategies, two contrasting habitats (desert and rain
forest) are used to help students learn about the animals and plants that exist
in a habitat and their interdependence on each other. The students will also have the opportunity to observe
living animals (aquatic snails and pill bugs) in their natural habitat. This unit should coincide with the 1st grade “Zoner and
Drip” Program, sponsored by the Mesa Arizona Utilities Department Program.
Solids & Liquids (Physical Science–STC Unit)
In this unit, students will make observations
and conduct simple tests to learn the properties of solids and liquids. Students will learn to classify objects
by their observable properties of shape, texture, size, color and weight.
Sorting (Physical Science)
This unit includes a
variety of different objects to help students with beginning concepts of
classification. Students classify objects by their observable properties of
shape, texture, size, color and weight.
Skywatchers (Earth Science, STC & SSRC unit)
This
unit provides an introduction to objects observed in the sky and the
characteristics of seasonal weather patterns. Through active
participation students learn about the Sun being the natural source of
heat and light on the Earth, to read a thermometer, measure
precipitation, and gauge wind speed.
Rocks, Soil, & Water (Earth Science–AIMS & SSRC Unit
In this unit, students
learn the basic Earth materials of rocks, soil, and water. Through hands on activities they learn
the physical properties and common uses of earth materials. Students will also learn to identify
the Earth’s natural resources and ways to conserve these resources.
Measurement (SSRC unit)
These activities help teach
the four types of measurement: area and volume, linear measurement, weight, and
comparisons.
Grade 2 (top)
Gr. 2 Ordering Tips
Life Cycle of Butterflies and Mealworms Life Science (STC and SSRC unit)
This unit highlights the life cycle of the “Painted Lady” butterfly. Students will observe the life cycle of the butterfly while also observing the life cycle of the mealworm. Students learn observation and recording skills while comparing these two life cycles.
Breath, Blood, & Guts (Life Science–SSRC unit)
This unit introduces students to the human respiratory, circulatory, and digestive systems. Through active exploration students learn the major parts of these three systems and their functions.
States of Matter (Physical Science–DELTA unit)
This unit uses hands-on experiences to identify the properties of the three common states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). Students
observe, explore, and measure solids, liquids, and gases, and
investigate the processes by which one changes into another. The importance of controlling variables and keeping records is emphasized.
Weather Watching (Earth Science–DELTA unit)
This
unit teaches students how to observe, describe, and measure aspects of
weather using key science vocabulary, weather instruments, and
scientific understanding. Students investigate such things as temperature, wind strength, cloud formations, and thunderstorms. Students also model tornadoes, track hurricanes, and interpret weather maps.
Grade 3 (top)
Gr. 3 Ordering Tips
The Nature of Life Life Science (SSRC developed unit)
In this unit students investigate the parts of a plant, how it functions and the life cycle of a plant. They
will also explore macroscopic and microscopic organisms in an ecosystem
and the interrelationships between and adaptations of plants and
animals.
Finding Out ( Physical Science–SSRC developed unit & SCIS modifications)
Students will explore the nature of how people find information. Communicating information accurately is studied by having students work in cooperative groups. Students will conduct a survey to answer a question of their choosing. Later, they begin to design simple experiments to control variables.
From Barley to Bubbles (Physical Science–SSRC developed unit)
The activities in this unit include matching, estimating, predicting and comparing. The
students begin the unit by using barleycorns as a unit of measurement
and end the unit by measuring the duration and size of soap bubbles.
Physics of Sound and Light (Physical Science–FOSS unit)
The activities in this unit help students investigate how sound travels, pitch and vibration and various ‘sound challenges’. In addition, students will explore how light reacts when it is reflected, refracted and absorbed.
Rocks and Fossils (Earth Science–SSRC developed unit)
This
unit includes activities for the students to learn about the Earth
through exploration of fossils, the earth’s layers and rock formations. Natural events that affect the Earth are researched and presented to the class.