Science Curriculum

Northern Illinois District

Grade 2

 

XI.  The Nature and Practice of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand the processes of scientific inquiry and technological design to investigate questions, conduct experiments, and solve problems.

 

Learning Standard  A:  Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of scientific inquiry.

 

Observation and description

 

Objective 1:  Record and describe observations of an object using one or more of the senses

Objective 2:  Record and describe observations of an event using one or more of the senses

 

Classification

 

Objective 3:  Classify objects by physical attributes

Objective 4:  Interpret data noting similarities and differences

 

Problem identification

 

Objective 5:  Develop questions based on observations, prior knowledge, and related information

Objective 6:  Formulate possible ways to investigate, observe, and gather information

 

Repeated measurement and data collection

 

Objective 7:  Use measuring instruments to investigate length, weight, temperature, and liquid volume

Objective 8:  Arrange data into logical patterns and interpret the data

 

Hypothesis and conclusion

 

Objective 9:    Make predictions based on observations and prior knowledge

Objective 10:  Compare observations of individual and group results

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply the concepts, principles, and processes of technological design.

 

Experimental design and execution

 

Objective 1:  Explore the elements of technological design

a.       Design

b.      Build

c.       Test

d.      Share results

 

Tools of science

 

Objective 2:  Use a calendar

Objective 3:  Use a diagram

Objective 4:  Read labels

Objective 5:  Construct and interpret a variety of graphs

 

 

 

 

XII.  The Fields of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will understand the fundamental concepts, principles, and interconnections of the life, physical, and earth/ space sciences.

 

 

Life Sciences

 

Learning Standard A:  Know and apply concepts that explain how living things function, adapt, and change.

 

Categorizing plants and animals

 

Objective 1:  Categorize living organisms using a variety of observable features

 

Needs of plants and animals

 

Objective 2:  Identify the basic needs of plants and animals

 

Structures and their function in living systems

 

Objective 3:  Identify and describe the component parts of living things and their functions

 

Life cycles and genetics

 

Objective 4:  Compare and contrast the physical features and stages of various life cycles

Objective 5:  Understand reproduction of a living thing’s own kind

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply concepts that describe how living things interact with each other and with their environment.

 

Environment and adaptations for survival

 

Objective 1:  Determine how living things react to changes in their environment

Objective 2:  Describe how living things depend on one another for survival

 

Physical Sciences and life

 

Objective 3:  Recognize the advantages of using simple machines in everyday life

 

Evolution

 

Objective 4:  Describe how living things change with their environment

 

 

Physical Sciences

 

Learning Standard C:  Know and apply concepts that describe properties of matter and energy and the interactions between them.

 

Matter

 

Objective 1:  Identify the properties of the three states of matter

Objective 2:  Describe the effect of temperature change on matter

Objective 3:  Observe how cutting, shaping, and mixing change matter

Objective 4:  Identify some changes in matter that are reversible and irreversible

 

Density

 

Objective 5:  Describe the difference between mass and volume

 

Light

 

Objective 6:  Identify sources of light

Objective 7:  Explore the color spectrum of light

Objective 8:  Understand the relationship between light and heat

Objective 9:  Observe how light creates shadows

 

Energy and heat (thermal energy)

 

Objective 10:  Identify and compare sources of energy

 

Reactions

 

Objective 11:  Recognize that different substances react with the outside environment

Objective 12:  Recognize that different substances react with each other

 

 

Learning Standard D:  Know and apply concepts that describe force and motion and the principles that explain them.

 

Electricity and magnetism

 

Objective 1:  Identify when magnets attract and repel each other

Objective 2:  Identify objects a magnet will attract

 

Gravity

 

Objective 3:  Describe how gravity affects objects

 

Force and motion

 

Objective 4:    Define force as a push or pull

Objective 5:  Identify ways to make objects move

 

 

Earth Sciences

 

Learning Standard E:  Know and apply concepts that describe the features and processes of the Earth and its resources.

 

Weather

 

Objective 1:  Identify seasonal and annual patterns in weather

Objective 2:  Explain the effects seasonal weather conditions have on plants and animals

 

Water

 

Objective 3:  Observe and describe the results of evaporation

Objective 4:  Describe the water cycle

Objective 5:  Recognize that living things need water to live and grow

 

Earth’s structure

 

Objective 6:  Identify and describe land forms and features of the Earth

 

Conservation of materials

 

Objective 7:  Describe the processes of renew, reuse, and recycle

Objective 8:  Identify objects that can be recycled

 

 

Space Sciences

 

Learning Standard F:  Know and apply concepts that explain the composition and structure of the universe and Earth’s place in it.

 

Observational astronomy

 

Objective 1:  Recognize the differences in the moon’s phases

 

The solar system

 

Objective 2:  Identify and describe characteristics of the sun, Earth, and moon as familiar objects in the solar system

Objective 3:  Describe how the rotation of the Earth causes day and night

 

Stars, galaxies, and the universe

 

Objective 4:  Recognize that space exploration advances our knowledge of the universe

 

 

XIII.  The History and Application of Science

 

State Goal:  As a result of their schooling, students will be able to understand the relationships among science, technology, and society in historical and contemporary contexts.

 

Learning Standard A:  Know and apply the accepted practices of science.

 

History of science

 

Objective 1:  Describe contributions men and women have made to science and technology

 

Safety practices

 

Objective 2:  Use basic safety practices

Objective 3:  Demonstrate the responsible use of equipment

 

Validity and reliability

 

Objective 4:  Explain how using measuring tools improves the accuracy of measurement

Objective 5:  Explain the uses of common scientific instruments

Objective 6:  Select the appropriate instrument to measure length, temperature, volume, time, and mass

 

 

Learning Standard B:  Know and apply concepts that describe the interaction between science, technology, and society.

 

Technology and society

 

Objective 1:  Identify and describe ways that science and technology affect people’s everyday lives

Objective 2:  Identify careers that are affected by science and technology

 

Environmental social issues

 

Objective 3:  Describe and identify ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle resources

Objective 4:  Demonstrate ways to protect and preserve the earth and its resources