Science Foundation
First grade science develops young scientists through hands-on exploration of the natural world. Students learn to observe carefully, ask questions, make predictions, and draw conclusions based on evidence. Every investigation builds their understanding that the world operates by discoverable laws.
Year-End Science Goals
- Observe and describe properties of objects using five senses
- Identify living vs. non-living things and their basic needs
- Understand plant and animal life cycles through direct observation
- Describe weather patterns and seasonal changes
- Classify materials by physical properties (hard/soft, rough/smooth)
- Demonstrate simple experiments and explain what happened
- Use scientific vocabulary to describe observations accurately
36-Week Science Curriculum
First Quarter (Weeks 1-9): Being a Scientist
Week 1: What Scientists Do
Using our senses to observe, asking questions, making predictions
Week 2: Observation Tools
Magnifying glasses, rulers, balance scales - tools help us see more
Week 3: Recording Observations
Drawing pictures, making charts, keeping science journals
Week 4: Sorting and Classifying
Grouping objects by color, size, shape, texture, function
Week 5: Properties of Objects
Hard/soft, rough/smooth, heavy/light, hot/cold exploration
Week 6: Materials Around Us
Wood, metal, plastic, fabric - identifying and comparing materials
Week 7: Floating and Sinking
Predicting and testing which objects float or sink in water
Week 8: Magnets and Attraction
What magnets attract, magnetic vs. non-magnetic materials
Week 9: Simple Machines
Levers, wheels, inclined planes in everyday tools
Second Quarter (Weeks 10-18): Living Things
Week 10: Living vs. Non-Living
Characteristics of life: growth, movement, reproduction, response
Week 11: What Plants Need
Sunlight, water, air, nutrients - growing plants in class
Week 12: Parts of a Plant
Roots, stems, leaves, flowers - function of each part
Week 13: From Seed to Plant
Plant life cycle, observing seeds sprout and grow
Week 14: Trees Through the Seasons
How trees change, deciduous vs. evergreen trees
Week 15: Animal Groups
Mammals, birds, fish, insects - basic animal classification
Week 16: What Animals Need
Food, water, shelter, space - animal habitats and homes
Week 17: Baby Animals
How animals grow and change, caring for young
Week 18: Animals in Winter
Migration, hibernation, adaptation to cold weather
Third Quarter (Weeks 19-27): Earth and Weather
Week 19: Our Planet Earth
Land and water, mountains and valleys, our place in space
Week 20: Rocks and Soil
Different types of rocks, what soil is made of, digging investigation
Week 21: Water Everywhere
Oceans, rivers, lakes, ice, water in different forms
Week 22: Daily Weather
Sunny, cloudy, rainy, snowy - observing and recording weather
Week 23: Measuring Weather
Temperature, wind direction, rainfall - simple weather tools
Week 24: Clouds and Rain
How clouds form, why it rains, the water cycle
Week 25: Seasons and Change
Four seasons, why seasons change, seasonal activities
Week 26: Day and Night
Why we have day and night, Earth's rotation, sun and moon
Week 27: Stars and Sky
Observing the night sky, patterns in stars, the moon's phases
Fourth Quarter (Weeks 28-36): Matter and Motion
Week 28: Solids, Liquids, and Gases
States of matter, examples in everyday life, properties
Week 29: Changing Matter
Melting ice, boiling water, freezing - matter can change form
Week 30: Mixing and Solutions
What dissolves in water, mixing colors, making solutions
Week 31: Push and Pull
Forces make things move, stop, or change direction
Week 32: Fast and Slow
Speed of moving objects, ramps and rolling, friction
Week 33: Light and Shadows
Light sources, how shadows form, transparent and opaque
Week 34: Sound All Around
How sounds are made, loud and soft, high and low
Week 35: Our Amazing Bodies
Five senses, keeping healthy, how our body works
Week 36: Young Scientists
Reviewing discoveries, planning summer science observations
Our Science Philosophy
Hands-On Learning
Students touch, manipulate, and experiment with real materials rather than just reading about science.
Observation Before Explanation
Children observe what happens first, then learn the scientific explanation for their observations.
Wonder and Questions
We encourage natural curiosity and teach students that asking questions is the beginning of scientific discovery.
Evidence-Based Thinking
Students learn to base conclusions on what they observe and measure, not on opinions or guesses.