Curriculum - Preschool and Kindergarten Science

Zoology

1.00 Distinguishes between living and non-living
2.00 Distinguishes between plants and animals2.10 Describes basic characteristics of plants and animals
2.20 Groups animals: forest, farm, common birds, ocean life, by biome 3.00 Identifies two characteristics of invertebrates: insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and annelids
4.00 Identifies two characteristics of five classes of vertebrates:
fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals 5.00 Anatomy 5.10 Identifies external characteristics of animals (fur, hair, skin, scales)
5.20 Identifies external parts of animals (dorsal fin, lateral line, eye etc.)
5.30 Introduced to internal anatomy (heart, skeleton, etc.) 6.00 Understands basic needs of animals6.10 Habitat
6.20 Food supply6.20.1 Differentiates between food chains, webs, and pyramids6.30 Adaptation to environment
6.40 Cares for classroom pets7.00 Distinguishes between herbivore, carnivore, and omnivore
8.00 Identifies prehistoric animals8.10 Dinosaurs
8.20 Mammoths

Botany

1.00 Identifies plants by size, shape, type1.10 Native flowers and trees
1.20 Basic plants in each biome
1.30 Parts of plant, flower, tree
1.40 Introduction to basic leaf shapes2.00 Understands plant life cycle2.10 Function of light energy for green plants2.10.1 Photosynthesis
2.10.2 Function of leaves 2.20 Understands the relationship between soil and plant
2.30 Uses of plants: foods, shelter, clothing
2.40 Cares for indoor and outdoor plants3.00 Outdoor Experiences3.10 Gardening3.10.1 Plants seed
3.10.2 Cares for plant in garden
3.10.3 Harvests a plant
3.10.4 Weeds3.20 Composting3.20.1 Vermiculture
3.20.2 Introduction to process of composting/waste recycling3.30 Explores nature through Nature Walks

Ecology

1.00 Introduced to ecological problems1.10 Air pollution
1.20 Water pollution
1.30 Deforestation
1.40 Landfills
1.50 Global warming
1.60 Acid rain
1.70 Ozone and greenhouse effect2.00 Introduced to ecological problem solutions2.10 Recycling: Why and how
2.20 Energy efficiency and conservation
2.30 Conservation of natural resources
2.40 Defines and lists some endangered animals

Physical Science

1.00 Introduced to scientific equipment: scales, hand lens, microscope, batteries, gauges, thermometers
2.00 Explores properties and principles through senses, jobs, and demonstrations2.10 Simple machines, simple technology
2.20 Heat, electricity, magnetism
2.30 Light & Sound2.30.1 Prisms and rainbows
2.30.2 Shadows
2.30.3 Sound waves 2.40 Solid/liquid/gas2.40.1 Recognizes physical changes, cause and effect: melting, freezing, etc.2.50 Weight, gravity

Astronomy

1.00 Identifies major elements of our solar system: sun, stars, planets, moons1.10 Orders planets2.00 Introduced to relationship between earth and sun2.10 Seasons
2.20 Day and night 3.00 Introduced to relationship between the earth and moon: months

Earth Sciences

1.00 Introduced to basic landforms:
2.00 Characteristics of a volcano
3.00 Introduction to earthquakes
4.00 Rock/Minerals4.10 Basic classification: Igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic
4.20 Fossils 5.00 Weather5.10 Basic cloud types: Stratus, cumulonimbus, cirrus
5.20 Introduced to weather systems: rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes blizzards
5.30 Knows the difference between climate and weather

Human Body

1.00 Anatomy1.10 Introduction to External parts
1.20 Introduction to Internal organs
1.30 Introduction to Systems
1.40 Introduction to Five Senses2.00 Health, Food, and Nutrition2.10 Understands and demonstrates good hygiene2.10.1 Germ prevention and disease
2.10.2 Oral hygiene
2.10.3 Preventing spread of germs: cover mouth, wash hands, etc. 2.20 Introduced to relationship between health, fitness, exercise, and nutrition3.00 Food3.10 Purpose of food for life and growth
3.20 Understands that food has nutrients
3.30 Introduced to food groups and nutrition pyramid
3.40 Begins to make good food choices: snack and lunchtime