Greenwich Public Schools Science Curriculum Objectives

Transcription

1 Greenwich Public Schools Science Curriculum Objectives April,

2 The objectives listed under The Nature of Scientific Inquiry are meant to be taught throughout the school year as the domains of life science, earth science, and physical science are being taught. In other words, The Nature of Scientific Inquiry objectives will be integrated into the teaching of the science disciplines. The Nature of Scientific Inquiry 1. Recognizes that careful observation is necessary to learn about living and nonliving things in this world (*K-1.2) 2. Uses all five senses to identify the characteristics of living and nonliving things (*K-1.2, K-1.5) 3. Describes living and nonliving things orally in detail (*K-1.5) 4. Orders living and nonliving things (e.g., biggest to smallest, oldest to youngest) 5. Recognizes that science is a way of learning about the natural world 6. Recognizes that science is an adventure in which all people can participate (*K-2.1) 7. Asks scientific questions about his or her surroundings (e.g., Why did that happen? How do you know? How does it work? What would happen if...?) (*K-1.2) 8. Infers cause-and-effect relationships in the natural world (e.g., dark clouds and rain) 9. Uses simple scientific equipment safely (e.g., balances, magnifiers, thermometers) (*K- 1.3) 10. Discusses the outcomes of simple scientific classroom investigations orally or pictorially (e.g., The nail moved toward the magnet because.... There was less water in the glass at the end of the week because....) (*K-1.5) 11. Discusses characteristics of a good scientist (e.g., is curious, tries new ideas, studies things in nature, observes things carefully) 12. Names ways that scientists help people (*K-3.2) 13. Believes that men and women of any race can discover and invent things, work with scientific ideas, and do scientific studies (*K-2.4) April,

3 Zoology 1. Recognizes that animals need air, food, water, and shelter to live and grow 2. Discusses these simple life functions: breathing, taking in and eliminating food and water, and moving (*K-9.3) 3. Describes how animals change as they grow (e.g., they get bigger; caterpillars change into butterflies) 4. Observes and records characteristics of parts of animals (e.g., wings, feet, head, tail) (*K- 9.4) 5. Classifies animals, according to one characteristic (e.g., wings, feet, head, tail) (*K-9.5) 6. Recognizes that animals need to be handled with care (*K-13.3, K-13.4) 7. Describes the work that veterinarians do in caring for animals Botany 1. Recognizes that plants need soil, air, water, and light to live and grow (*K-9.1, K-11.1) 2. Identifies the four basic parts of a plant: roots, stems, leaves, and flowers (*K-9.4) 3. Observes a plant as it changes and grows 4. Describes how a plant changes as it grows (e.g., it gets taller; it grows flowers) 5. Classifies plants, according to their characteristics (e.g., as trees, bushes, flowers) (*K- 9.5) 6. Names uses for plants (e.g., food, clothing, shelter) 7. Takes good care of plants (*K-13.3) Human Anatomy 1. Recognizes that people need food, air, water, clothing, and shelter (*K-12.1) 2. Recognizes that people share similar characteristics, but that no two people are exactly the same (*K-12.1) 3. Identifies external human body parts, except reproductive organs April,

4 4. Identifies the five senses (*K-12.2, 3-9.6) 5. Describes how the senses help the body learn about its surroundings and survive (e.g., eyes help us move safely; the nose helps us find food; ears tell us about what is around us) (*K-12.2) 6. Describes the work that health care professionals do in studying the body and treating sick people (e.g., doctors, nurses, dentists) Ecology 1. Recognizes that plants and animals often live in the same place 2. Recognizes that living things need air, water, food, and sunlight and that nonliving things do not (*K-9.2) 3. Gives examples of living, nonliving, and once living things (*K-9.2) 4. Recognizes that plants and animals depend on each other (*K-11.2, K-13.1) 5. Recognizes that plants and animals in stories sometimes have characteristics that they do not really have (e.g., plants and animals cannot talk; plants cannot grow to the sky) 6. Recognizes resources that the earth provides for life (e.g., water in lakes and streams, caves for shelter) (*K-11.1) 7. Recognizes that some of the earth s resources are limited 8. Describes ways people help plants and animals (e.g., watering plants, giving wild animals enough space to live) and ways that people hurt plants and animals (e.g., throwing stones at ducks in a pond, polluting rivers) (*K-11.2, K-13.2) 9. Cares for the natural environment (e.g., does not litter) (*K-13.3) Meteorology 1. Describes common types of weather: sunny, windy, rainy, foggy, snowy, and cloudy 2. Describes how the sun affects the weather (e.g., the sun as a source of heat) (*K-7.4) 3. Records weather changes over time 4. Names the four seasons of the year: fall/autumn, winter, spring, and summer (*K-7.3) 5. Compares and contrasts the typical weather during each of the four seasons in New England (*K-7.3) 6. Describes how weather affects his or her daily activities April,

5 7. Describes weather safety procedures (e.g., seeks appropriate shelter during lightning) Astronomy 1. Identifies four natural objects in the sky: sun, moon, stars, and clouds 2. Distinguishes between human-made and natural objects in the sky (e.g., the moon is a natural object; an airplane is a human-made object) 3. Recognizes the pattern of day and night 4. Recognizes that people are still learning about travel in space Chemistry 1. Identifies some common liquids (e.g., water, milk) and some common solids (e.g., rocks, nails) (*K-14.4) 2. Recognizes that temperature is a measure of heat 3. Recognizes that heat causes changes (e.g., it melts ice) (*K-14.5) 4. Predicts what will happen when an object is placed in water (e.g., sink, float, dissolve) (*K-14.3) 5. Classifies objects, according to their physical properties (e.g., size, texture, shape, color) and the materials from which they are made (*K-14.5) Physics 1. Recognizes that there are two poles on a magnet (*K-19.2) 2. Recognizes that magnets come in different shapes, sizes, and strengths 3. Predicts which objects will be attracted to a magnet (*K-19.3) 4. Recognizes that magnets can attract through other materials (e.g., paper, water) 5. Recognizes that magnets exert either a push or pull on some metal objects (such as those made of iron, nickel, or steel), even without touching them (they either repel or attract) (*K-19.1, K-19.3, , ) 6. Recognizes that magnets can attract or repel each other, depending on how they are positioned near each other (*K-19.2, ) 7. Names uses of magnets in the classroom and at home (e.g., using magnetic letters and numbers, closing some cabinet doors) April,

6 Science and Technology 1. Recognizes that tools are used to help people make or do things (*K-3.1) 2. Recognizes that each kind of tool was originally made for a specific purpose 3. Identifies some things that cannot be made without using tools (e.g., a bicycle, a toaster) and some tasks that cannot be done without using tools (e.g., repairing a car) (*K-3.1) 4. Constructs a simple tool or machine from common parts (e.g., weather vane, wind sock, sifter, fan) April,