Formal Tests

Informal Quizzes

Written Reports

Oral Reports

Verbal Responses

Class Discussions

Science Journals

Portfolios

Charts

Posters

Diagrams

Murals

Illustrations

Multi-Media Presentations

Graphs

Models

Dioramas

Experiments

Sorting/Classification

Unit

K

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Life Science

Animals

Plants

Five Senses

Environment

Animals

Plants

Life Cycles

Environment

Animals

Environment

Animal

Plants

Environment

Plants & Animals

Animals

Plants Cells

Cells

Ecosystems

Physical

Science

Matter

Sink & Float

Light/Sound

Colors

Forces

Motion

Force/Motion

Matter

Force/Motion

Simple Machines

Matter

States of Matter

Energy Sources

Heat/Light/ Sound

Chemistry

States of Matter

Force/Motion

States of Matter

Electricity

Earth

Science

The Sky

Earth

Weather

Solar System

Weather

Dinosaurs

Weather

Seasons

Solar System

Geology

Renewable & Non-renewable resources

Weather

Water Cycle

Research & Inquiry

Technology

Investigations

Technology

Investigations

Technology

Investigations

Technology

Investigations

Technology

Research & Inquiry

Technology

Research & Inquiry

Technology

Research & Inquiry

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

Animals

Understand the difference between living and non-living things.

List the difference between living and non-living things.

Identify and classify living and non-living things.

Understand what animals need to live.

Discover the basic needs of animals for survival (food, water, air, habitat, nurturing).

Plants / Animals

Compare plants and animals.

Observe and describe the characteristics of plants and animals.

The Five Senses

Understand that there are five senses that humans use to make sense of the world.

Name the five senses and the body part that is used (sight-eyes, smell-nose, hear- ears, taste-mouth, tough- skin or hands).

Environment

Understand that nature and humans can alter the environment both positively and negatively.

Describe the characteristics of a man-made environment (home, school).

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

Matter

Understand that there are three different states of matter.

Identify and name the three states of matter. Classify objects by physical properties.

Use senses to describe matter.

Understand that a state of matter can change.

Investigate and explore physical changes in matter.

Sink and Float

Understand that some objects float in water and others will sink.

Make predictions, explore and observe various objects that sink or float.

Light and Sound

Understand the sources of light can be natural or man-made.

Identify sources of light. (Sunlight, flashlight, etc.).

Understand that light can be reflected.

Use mirrors to investigate reflection of light.

Understand that shadows occur when light is block by an object.

Recognize the interaction between light and shadows.

Understand that there are many different types of sound. And sound is made when an object vibrates.

Show ways to make sounds from a variety of materials. (Make an instrument).

Colors

Understand the spectrum of colors.

Identify the 10 basic colors. (red, blue, yellow, orange, green, purple, brown, black, white, pink)

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

The Sky

Develop an understanding of objects in the day and night sky.

Identify and describe the attributes of the objects in the sky.

Develop an understanding of day and night.

Make observations about day and night.  Understand the concepts of yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Seasons

Understand that there are four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Name the four seasons and their distinguishing attributes.

Place the four seasons in order.

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

Technology

Understand the importance of technology.

Utilize available and suitable technology.

Understand a relationship exists between science and technology.

Develop skills necessary for technological application.

Investigations

Understand that scientific investigations require asking and answering a question.

Formulate questions pertaining to scientific topics.

Make observations and collect data.

Understand that there are different types of scientific investigations and the method of investigation depends on the question to be answered.

Make predictions, brainstorm questions and ideas. Use various tools to gather information. Use senses to explore changes, make observations, use various models, and to identify patterns and routines. Measure, graph and record data.

Understand that explanations are based on observations, experiments, and data collection.

Suggest solutions to a problem.

Express ideas to others.

Develop critical thinking skills.

Understand and follow directions.  Understand interpersonal  relationships are important in scientific endeavors

Perform basic operations.

Use home and school safety procedures.

Understand that many people choose science as a career.

Understand major contributions of scientists and researchers.

Understand constancy, change and measurement

Measure in non-standard units

Understand that interpersonal relationships are important in scientific endeavors

Use cooperation and interaction skills

Understand technical communication

Follow directions

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

Animals

Understand that animals are grouped by common characteristics.

Recognize groups of animals (mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, & insects)

Name the unique characteristics for each of the animal groups. Compare and contrast animals.

Understand that animals need food to survive.

Discover the basic needs of animals for survival (food, water, air, habitat, nurturing).

Recognize that animals live in different habitats for which they are suited.

Plants

Understand that plants need food to survive.

Explore the basic needs of plants for survival (air, water, soil, and sunlight).

Understand the parts of plants and their function.

Recognize roots –absorb water, stems- support, leaves- make food, and flowers- reproduce (seeds).

Describe the life cycle of a plant (seed, growth, reproduction, and death).

Understand that plants have uses.

Identify uses for plants (food, wood, furniture, paper, etc.).

Life Cycles

Understand that living things have a life cycle.

Observe and record changes in living things life cycles.

Understand the life cycle process.

Describe a life cycle from birth, development, reproduction, to death.

(Tadpole- Frog, Seed-Tree, Caterpillar- Butterfly)

Understand that the offspring of a plant or animal will closely resemble their parents.

Make observations about baby animals and the adult.

Environment

Understand the importance of natural resources.

Distinguish between renewable and non-renewable resources. Recognize that natural resources include trees, rocks, soil, and water.

Understand that evolution is a process that relates to gradual changes.

Understand concepts of past, present, and future. 

Understand that nature and humans can alter the environment both positively and negatively.

Identify the characteristics of our local natural environments (playground, backyard)

Understand the idea of reduce, reuse, and recycle.

Provide examples of materials that can be conserved, reused, or recycled.

Understand that pollution is a change to the environment that can cause problems for living things.

Recognize that pollution affects the air, water, and quality of life.

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

Forces and Motion

Understand that there is a relation-ship between force and motion.

Explore motion of common objects in terms of speed and direction.

Describe properties of objects.

Understand that force can cause motion and can change the movement of an object.

Recognize force and motion of objects in toys and playground equipment.

Develop an understanding of gravity.

Make predictions, explore and observe various objects that sink or float.

Develop an understanding of the forces, push-pull, wind, water, magnets, and electricity.

Explore various types of forces through the movement of various toys, objects, or models. (marble chute, windmills, boats, magnets, ramps, etc.)

Understand the position and motion of objects relative to other objects or backgrounds.

Describe the position of an object using revolve, rotate, at-rest, float, fall, under, below, top, behind, beside, etc.

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

The Solar System

Understand the importance of the sun.

Explain that the sun is a star, and it is a huge ball of fiery gas.

Understand the attributes of the moon.

Explain that the moon is a dry mass of rocks and dust.

Understand the phases of the moon are caused by the relationship of the Earth, moon, and sun’s positions.

Recognize that the moon looks different everyday and the phases repeat every 28 days.

Develop an understanding of stars.

Explain that stars are fiery gas masses.

Develop an understanding of the nine planets. (Names and location)

Recognize and name the nine planets in the correct order from the sun.

Understand that the Earth is the only planet known to support life.

Describe that the Earth has air and water, which are necessary to support life.

Understand that the temperature on Earth is affected by the sun’s heat.

Describe that the Earth has the right amount of heat and light to support life.

Weather

Understand that the weather changes daily and seasonally, affecting the Earth and the people.

Observe, describe, and record different weather conditions, including temperature, precipitation, and wind conditions.

Understand that there are four seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.

Identify the four seasons and their characteristics for a local region. Describe how changes in the weather affect people.

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

Technology

Understand the importance of technology.

Utilize available and suitable technology.

Understand a relationship exists between science and technology.

Develop skills necessary for technological application.

Investigations

Understand that scientific investigations require asking and answering a question.

Formulate questions pertaining to scientific topics.

Demonstrate cooperation and interaction skills.

Suggest solutions to a problem.

Express ideas to others.

Follow multi-step instructions.

Understand that there are different types of scientific investigations and the method of investigation depends on the question to be answered.

Make predictions, brainstorm questions and ideas. Use various tools to gather information. Use senses to explore changes, make observations, use various models, and to identify patterns and routines. Measure, graph and record data.

Understand constancy, change, and measurement.

Measure in both standard and non-standard units.

Understand that explanations are based on observations, experiments, and data collection.

Make observations, collect data, record observations, and use data.

Develop critical thinking skills.

Understand interpersonal relationships are important in scientific endeavors.

Perform basic operations.  Use home and school safety procedures. 

Understand that many people choose science as a career.

Understand major contributions of scientists and researchers.

Unit

Objectives

Benchmarks

Animals

Understand the characteristics of warm and cold blooded animals

Describe the characteristics of warm and cold blooded animals

Understand food webs

Explain how animals depend on plants and other animals for food in order to survive

Understand how the characteristics of animals help them to survive in their environment

Discuss how animals are suited to live in different habitats

Identify four basic needs of all living things (food, shelter, water, space)