Science - 1st Grade
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Course Introduction

 

Core Standards of the Course

Standard 1
The Processes of Science, Communication of Science, and the Nature of Science. Students will be able to apply scientific processes, communicate scientific ideas effectively, and understand the nature of science.

Objective 1
Generating Evidence: Using the processes of scientific investigation (i.e. framing questions, designing investigations, conducting investigations, collecting data, drawing conclusions)

1. Framing questions: Observe using senses, create a hypothesis, and focus a question that can lead to an investigation.
   
2. Designing investigations: Consider reasons that support ideas, identify ways to gather information that could test ideas, design fair tests, share designs with peers for input and refinement.
   
3. Conducting investigations: Observe, manipulate, measure, describe.
   
4. Collecting data: Deciding what data to collect and how to organize, record, and manipulate the data.
   
5. Drawing conclusions: Analyzing data, making conclusions connected to the data or the evidence gathered, identifying limitations or conclusions, identifying future questions to investigate.
   

Objective 2
Communicating Science: Communicating effectively using science language and reasoning

1. Developing social interaction skills with peers.
   
2. Sharing ideas with peers.
   
3. Connecting ideas with reasons (evidence).
   
4. Using multiple methods of communicating reasons/evidence (verbal, charts, graphs).
   

Objective 3
Knowing in Science: Understanding the nature of science

1. Ideas are supported by reasons.
   
2. There are limits to ideas in science (i.e. what can be observed, measured, and verified).
   
3. Differences in conclusions are best settled through additional observations and investigations.
   
4. Communication of ideas in science is important for helping to check the reasons for ideas.
   

Standard 2
Earth and Space Science. Students will gain an understanding of Earth and Space Science through the study of earth materials, celestial movement, and weather.

Objective 1
Investigate the natural world including rock, soil and water.

Supplemental Materials (pdf)

1. Observe, compare, describe, and sort components of soil by size, texture, and color.
   
2. Identify and describe a variety of natural sources of water, including streams, lakes, and oceans.
   
3. Gather evidence about the uses of rocks, soil, and water.
   

Objective 2
Observe and describe the changes and appearance of the sun and moon during daylight.

Supplemental Materials (pdf)

1. Observe the sun at different times during the day and report observations to peers.
   
2. Observe and chart the moon when it is visible during the day.
   

Objective 3
Compare and contrast seasonal weather changes.

Supplemental Materials (pdf)

1. Identify characteristics of the seasons of the year.
   
2. Identify characteristics of weather, e.g., types of precipitation, sunny, windy, foggy, and cloudy.
   
3. Observe and record weather information within each season.
   

Standard 3
Physical Science. Students will gain an understanding of Physical Science through the study of the forces of motion and the properties of materials.

Objective 1
Analyze changes in the movement of nonliving things.

Supplemental Materials (pdf)

1. Describe, classify, and communicate observations about the motion of objects, e.g., straight, zigzag, circular, curved, back‐and‐forth, and fast or slow.
   
2. Compare and contrast the movement of objects using drawings, graphs, and numbers.
   
3. Explain how a push or pull can affect how an object moves.
   

Objective 2
Analyze objects and record their properties.

Supplemental Materials (pdf)

1. Sort, classify, and chart objects by observable properties, e.g., size, shape, color, and texture.
   
2. Predict measurable properties such as weight, temperature, and whether objects sink or float; test and record data.
   
3. Predict, identify, and describe changes in matter when heated, cooled, or mixed with water.
   

Standard 4
Life Science. Students will gain an understanding of Life Science through the study of changes in organisms over time and the nature of living things.

Objective 1
Communicate observations about the similarities and differences between offspring and between populations.

Supplemental Materials (pdf)

1. Communicate observations about plants and animals, including humans, and how they resemble their parents.
   
2. Analyze the individual similarities and differences within and across larger groups.
   

Objective 2
Living things change and depend upon their environment to satisfy their basic needs.

Supplemental Materials (pdf)

1. Make observations about living things and their environment using the five senses.
   
2. Identify how natural earth materials (e.g., food, water, air, light, and space), help to sustain plant and animal life.
   
3. Describe and model life cycles of living things.
   

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http://www.uen.org - in partnership with Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and Utah System of Higher Education (USHE).  Send questions or comments to USBE Specialist - Jennifer Throndsen and see the Science - Elementary website. For general questions about Utah's Core Standards contact the Director - Jennifer Throndsen.

These materials have been produced by and for the teachers of the State of Utah. Copies of these materials may be freely reproduced for teacher and classroom use. When distributing these materials, credit should be given to Utah State Board of Education. These materials may not be published, in whole or part, or in any other format, without the written permission of the Utah State Board of Education, 250 East 500 South, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200.