Asks questions, makes and keeps simple records of observations, sorts objects, communicates with others, and makes predictions and uses estimation and measurement.

Uses books and other media to obtain information related to science concepts.

Identifies and practices accepted safety procedures in manipulating science materials and equipment.

Actively engages in the learning process via hands-on/minds-on science activities. Uses appropriate tools to collect and analyze data and solve problems

Recognizes that all matter takes up space and has mass. Observes and discusses the space gases take up in an inflated balloon, water takes up in an aquarium and various solids take up around the room.

Distinguishes among states of matter (solid, liquid, and gas). Sorts objects according to solid, liquid or gas.

Recognizes and compares physical properties of objects (e.g., weight, size, and buoyancy).

Predicts changes in states of matter such as when water is heated or frozen.

Recognizes that all matter does not change in the same way. Observes a variety of changes such as: a nail in water compared to plastic in water; a wooden block in the freezer compared with water in a freezer; slice of apple compared with slice of orange.

Describes how plants use water, nutrients and light to produce their own food in a process called photosynthesis. Compares plants grown with all of these resources with plants deprived of these resources.

Compares variables that might affect the growth of plants. Identifies and tests how variables such as temperature, light, water and nutrients affect plant growth.

Identifies and explains function of main parts of a plant. Names parts of plant and explains function of each (root, stem, leaf and flower).

Observes and describes plant parts as they grow and change. Compares the roots, stems and leaves of various plants as they grow from seeds to mature plants.

Identifies varieties of plants and their uses. Identifies trees, shrubs, herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Recognizes that plants are used for beauty, food, clothing and shelter.

Identifies and describes habitats (desert, woodland, ponds, streams) of plants and animals and their characteristics (light, moisture, temperature).

Matches various animals and plants to their habitat based on needs.

Identifies the many feeding relationships possible among various plants and animals.  Illustrates food chains and food webs and predator-prey relationships.

Recognizes how plants and animals interact and depend on one another. Illustrates the many ways plants and animals interact (pollination, shelter and seed dispersal).

Observes and discusses apparent motion of sun and moon.  Understands that the sun, moon, and stars appear in the east and set in the west.  Plots the apparent movement of the sun and moon in the sky using shadows or other devices

Describes motion of Earth, moon, and planets in our solar system. Describes how the Earth rotates once a day and revolves around the sun each year, how the moon revolves around the Earth each month and how the planets revolve around the sun in a periodic manner.