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Elementary Science Grade 1
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Science Grade One is a foundational course with concepts across many types of sciences including Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Through exploring, making and comparing observations, describing, modeling, and demonstrating, students will learn about force and motion, space, Earth, changes to Earth’s surface, gravity, basic needs of living things, plants, water, parents and offspring, and living and nonliving things.
Please view the Elementary Parents Guide for Grades K-2 with guidance on helping your student transition to online learning and thrive at VLACS.
Major Topics and Concepts
Segment One
- Different ways objects move
- Pushes and pulls change the position of objects
- Force is needed to move objects in different ways
- Changing the motion of objects
- Objects in the day sky and night sky
- Size of an object seems to change based on how far or close it is
- Comparing size of stars to the sun
- Amount and size of stars
- Magnifiers as tools
- Comparing the beneficial and harmful properties of the sun
- Light can be used to communicate over a distance
- Ways the Earth’s surface can change
- Weather conditions
- Gravity acts on all objects on Earth
- Earth’s surface consists of water, rocks, soil, and living organisms
- Making predictions
- Asking questions
- Making observations
- Recording observations
- Comparing observations
- Sharing observations
- Making models
- Conducting demonstrations
Segment Two
- Parts of a plant
- All living things need air, water, food, and space
- Ways people use water
- Water safety
- Plants and animals have offspring
- Sorting objects by color, shape, texture, size, weight, temperature
- Objects sink or float
- Characteristics of living, nonliving, and once-living things
- Asking questions
- Investigating questions
- Solving problems
- Making observations
- Recording observations
- Using a hand lens
- Measuring objects using a ruler, pan balance, and/or thermometer
- Making models
Course Materials
To achieve success, students are expected to submit work in each course weekly. Students can learn at their own pace; however, “any pace” still means that students must make progress in the course every week. To measure learning, students complete self-checks, practice lessons, multiple choice questions, projects, discussion-based assessments, and discussions. Students and families are expected to maintain regular contact with teachers because, when teachers, students, and parents work together, students are successful.
Required Materials – Please view the list of materials before registering.
Competencies
Changes to the Earth's Surface
I can identify changes to the Earth’s surface. I can compare the speed of changes made to the Earth’s surface. I can identify natural processes that change the Earth’s surface quickly. I can identify natural processes that change the Earth’s surface slowly. I can predict changes to the Earth’s surface based on weather conditions.
Forces and Motion
I can compare the speed of moving objects. I can describe the variations for an object that moves. I can identify the forces of push and pull. I can describe the process of changing the motion of an object. I can predict the effect a force will have on an object.
Size, Distance, and the Sun
I can compare the day sky and the night sky. I can describe the effect of distance on the appearance of the size of an object. I can identify tools that make objects appear closer and more detailed. I can explain the benefits of the sun. I can explain the harmful effects of the sun. I can describe the protection of my body from the harmful effects of the sun.
The Effects of Gravity
I can describe the movement of an object when it is not supported. I can explain the effect of gravity on objects. I can describe the effects of no gravity on an object.
Water, Rocks, Soil, and Living Organisms
I can describe objects found on the Earth’s surface. I can identify water sources on Earth’s surface. I can describe types of rocks on Earth’s surface. I can describe types of soil on Earth’s surface. I can identify living organisms on Earth’s surface.
Basic Needs of Living Things
I can identify the basic needs of living things. I can explain the response of living things when one of the basic needs is missing. I can describe the use of plant parts to meet basic needs. I can describe the use of animal parts to meet basic needs.
Living, Non-living, and Once-living Things
I can categorize objects based on their characteristics. I can categorize objects that sink or float. I can describe characteristics of living things. I can describe characteristics of non-living things. I can describe characteristics of once-living things. I can categorize a group of objects as living, non-living, or once-living.
Parents and Offspring
I can identify the offspring of animals and plants to their parents. I can compare parents to their offspring of animals and plants. I can describe the help animal parents provide their offspring to survive.
Plant Parts
I can identify plant parts. I can compare both same and different parts on different plants. I can create a model of a plant.
Water Uses and Safety
I can identify reasons people need water. I can identify daily uses of water. I can describe water safety.
