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Elementary
Elementary Science Grade K
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Science Grade Kindergarten is a foundational course with concepts across many types of sciences including Earth Science, Life Science, and Physical Science. Through exploring, making observations, and describing, students will explore the five senses, properties and motion of objects, sound, pushes and pulls, gravity, the day and night sky, size and distance of objects, plants, and animals.
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
- The five senses
- Human body and the five senses
- Sorting objects by size, shape, color, temperature, weight, and texture
- Sounds and vibrations
- Fast- and slow-moving things
- Position words
- Pushes and pulls
- Gravity pulls objects toward the ground
- Making observations
- Making predictions
- Recording observations
Segment Two
- Daytime and nighttime activities
- Patterns of local weather
- Pattern of day and night
- Sunlight and how it affects the Earth’s surface
- The sun’s positions in the sky
- The moon’s look in the sky and over time
- Sizes of objects on the ground and in the sky
- The stars, sun, and moon
- Comparing different animals
- Sorting animals by the way they move
- Comparing different plants
- Parts of plants
- Sorting plants by the way they look
- What plants and animals need to live
- Comparing plants and animals
- Plants and animals change the environment to meet their needs
- Ways to reduce garbage
- Making observations
- Making predictions
- Recording observations
- Collecting information
- Creating a drawing or model of an object
Course Materials
A pupil may enter kindergarten if his/her chronological age will be five before October 1st of the year of entering school. For a complete description of the policy, please see Policy JEB Age of Entrance.
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
Forces of Push and Pull
I can identify the location of an object using position words. I can describe the forces of push and pull. I can identify the level of force needed to move an object. I can explain the effect of push and pull on an object.
Motion
I can identify objects that move. I can compare the speed of moving objects. I can predict the speed of a moving object.
Sensory Changes
I can identify an object based on sensory descriptions. I can create an object using different shaped materials. I can describe changes in size and shape using senses. I can compare an original object to its altered form.
Sorting Objects
I can categorize objects by size. I can categorize objects by shape. I can categorize objects by color. I can categorize objects by temperature. I can categorize objects by weight. I can categorize objects by texture.
Sound
I can identify objects that make sound. I can describe types of sounds. I can explain the process of vibration to make sound.
The Five Senses
I can identify the five senses. I can identify the body part used for each of the five senses. I can describe the use of senses to make observations. I can explain the importance of senses.
Characteristics of Animals
I can identify characteristics of animals. I can describe similarities between animals. I can describe differences between animals. I can categorize animals by their appearance. I can categorize animals by the way they move.
Characteristics of Plants
I can identify characteristics of plants. I can identify plant parts. I can describe similarities between plants. I can describe differences between plants. I can categorize plants by their appearance.
Comparing Plants and Animals
I can compare plants and animals. I can describe an appropriate habitat for an animal. I can compare real and imaginary animals. I can compare real and imaginary plants.
Size and Distance
I can compare the size of objects on the ground to objects in the sky. I can describe the effect of distance on the appearance of size. I can compare the size of the moon in relation to the stars. I can explain the shapes of the moon.
The Force of Gravity
I can identify the force of gravity. I can describe the effect of gravity on an object. I can identify supports that stop the force of gravity.
The Sun and the Moon
I can categorize daytime and nighttime activities. I can compare the day and night sky. I can describe patterns of local weather. I can describe characteristics of the sun. I can describe characteristics of the moon. I can explain the importance of the sun.
