Science Curriculum

Northern Illinois District

Kindergarten

 

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:  Observe an object using one or more of the five senses

Objective 2:  Describe an event using words and pictures

 

Classification

 

Objective 3:  Classify objects or events into simple groupings based on common properties

 

Problem identification

 

Objective 4:  Develop questions about scientific topics

 

Repeated measurement and data collection

 

Objective 5:  Collect data for investigations using measurement instruments

Objective 6:  Arrange data into logical patterns and describe patterns

Objective 7:  Convey information orally, visually, and in writing through graphs, charts, pictures, and/or diagrams

 

Hypothesis and conclusion

 

Objective 8:  Using prior knowledge, make simple predictions about stated questions

Objective 9:  Compare observations of individual and group results

Objective 10:  Suggest possible reasons for differences or discrepancies in data

Objective 11:  Connect results to other events and experiences

 

 

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

 

Experimental design and execution

 

Objective 1:  Develop a plan, design, and procedure using manipulatives to solve a problem

Objective 2:  Design, build, test, adjust design, re-test, and record results

Objective 3:  Report the experience

 

Tools of science

 

Objective 4:  Make use of all available environmental materials for construction of design

Objective 5:  Utilize simple technology to evaluate results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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:  Identify and describe the component parts of living things (e.g., plants, simple organisms, and animals) and their major functions

Objective 2:  Categorize living and non-living organisms using a variety of observable features (e.g., size, color, shape, and backbone)

 

Needs of plants and animals

 

Objective 3:  Recognize how God provides for living things

Objective 4:  Identify survival needs of living things

 

Structures and their function in living systems

 

Objective 5:  Identify and describe parts of living things and their major functions

 

Life cycles and genetics

 

Objective 6:  Identify and describe the life cycles of living things

 

 

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:  Describe and compare characteristics of living things in relationship to their environments

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

 

Evolution

 

Objective 3:  Understand that the living and non-living things around us were all created by God and function according to His plan 

 

 

Physical Sciences

 

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

 

Matter

 

Objective 1:  Observe and compare the states of matter:  solid, liquid, and gas

Objective 2:  Compare physical properties of matter (e.g., size, shape, color, texture, and odor)

 

Energy

 

Objective 3:  Explore and observe energy sources of heat, light, and sound that help us in our daily activities

 

Density and buoyancy

 

Objective 4:  Identify objects in the environment that sink and float

 

Reactions

 

Objective 5: Observe and record changes in matter - chemical or physical 

 

 

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

 

Electricity and magnetism

 

Objective 1:  Identify observable forces in nature (e.g., pushes, pulls, gravity, and magnetism)

 

Force and motion

 

Objective 2:  Identify examples of motion (e.g., moving in a straight line, vibrating, and rotating)

 

 

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 and describe patterns of weather and seasonal change

Objective 2:  Identify the effects of weather on nature and people

Objective 3:  Observe and identify how air does work

 

Water

 

Objective 4:  Recognize water as a valuable resource

Objective 5:  Identify sources of water

 

Earth’s structure

 

Objective 6:  Identify components and describe diverse features of God’s Earth such as land, water, and atmospheric systems

 

Conservation of materials

 

Objective 7:  Identify renewable and non-renewable natural resources

Objective 8:  Identify ways to be stewards of God's world (e.g., reduce, reuse, recycle, do not litter, turn lights off, etc.)

 

 

Space Sciences

 

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

 

The solar system

 

Objective 1:  Identify and describe characteristics of the sun, earth, moon, and stars as familiar objects in the solar system

Objective 2:  Identify daily, seasonal, and annual patterns related to the Earth's rotation and revolution

Objective 3:  Identify God as the creator of all

 

 

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.

 

Safety practices

 

Objective 1:  Use basic safety practices (e.g., not tasting materials without permission, "stop, drop, and roll")

 

Validity and reliability

 

Objective 2:  Explain how knowledge can be gained by careful observation

Objective 3:  Explain why similar results are expected when procedures are done the same way

 

 

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

 

Technology and society

 

Objective 1:  Identify the role and characteristics of a scientist

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

 

Environmental social issues

 

Objective 3:  Demonstrate ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle materials

 

Industrial design

 

Objective 4:  Explore the use of common scientific instruments such as a ruler, thermometer, balance, scale, magnifier, and computer

Objective 5:  Explore how using measuring tools improves the accuracy of estimates