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Eanes ISD

Kindergarten Learning to be a Scientist

 

Understandings:

  • Scientists investigate different things in the natural world and use tools to help in their investigations.
  • Weather changes can be observed from day to day and over seasons.
  • Natural events including day and night and the seasons have observable patterns.

    TEKS:

    Content Standards:

  • K.5A (R) Observe and record properties of objects, including bigger or smaller, heavier or lighter, shape, color, and texture

  • Throughout the year:

  • K.8B (R) Identify events that have repeating patterns, including seasons of the year and day and night
  • K.8A (S) Observe and describe weather changes from day to day and over seasons

  • Process Standards:

  • K.1A Identify, discuss, and demonstrate safe and healthy practices as outlined in TEA - approved safety standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including wearing safety goggles or chemical splash googles as appropriate, washing hands, and using materials appropriately
  • K.1B Demonstrate how to use, conserve, and dispose of natural resources and materials such as conserving water and reusing or recycling paper, plastic and metal
  • K.2A Ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world
  • K.2B Plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations
  • K.2C Collect data and make observations using simple tools
  • K.2D Record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words
  • K.2E Communicate observations about simple descriptive investigations
  • K.3A Identify and explain a problem such as the impact of littering and propose a solution
  • K.3B Make predictions based on observable patterns in nature
  • K.3C Explore that scientists investigate different things in the natural world and use tools to help in their investigations
  • K.4A Collect information using tools, including computing devices, hand lenses, primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices; non-standard measuring items; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums
  • K.4B Use the senses as tool of observation to identify properties and patterns of organisms, objects, and events in the environment
  •  
  • K.8C (S) Observe, describe, and illustrate objects in the sky such as the clouds, Moon, and stars, including the sun

K.10D (S) Observe changes that are part of a simple life cycle of a plant: seed, seedling, plant, flower, and fruit

Learning Targets:

  • I can observe the different properties of objects. K.5A (R)
  • I can record my observations to tell about about the properties of objects. K.5A (R)
  • The following learning targets were created from the Process TEKS that are the focus in the first quarter:
  • I can use my words and actions to show how to be safe during science.
  • I can use science tools to collect data and make observations just like real scientists do.

    Throughout the Year:
  • I can observe weather changes. K.8A (S)
  • I can tell about weather changes. K.8A (S)
  • I can identify events that have repeating patterns. K.8B (R)
  • I can observe objects in the sky. K.8C (S)
  • I can tell about the objects in the sky. K.8C (S)
  • I can illustrate the objects in the sky. K.8C (S)
  • I can observe the life cycle of a plant. K.10D (S)
  • I can make observations using my five senses.
  • I can share my observations in pictures and words.
  • I can make good choices about how to use, recycle, and dispose of materials.

    Essential Questions:

  • Why is it important that everyone obey the safety rules?
  • When do you use certain scientific tools?
  • How can you describe the weather today?
  • What weather patterns can be observed from day to day?
  • What weather patterns can be observed through the seasons?

    Misconceptions:

  • Science is just collecting a bunch of data (not the science process, including analyzing and sharing information and conclusions).
  • Scientists don't make mistakes.
  • There is always a 'right' answer.
  • All scientists do experiments. (In Kindergarten, the focus is on descriptive investigations, not variable-controlled experiments.)

    Vocabulary:

New to Grade Level:

  • bigger/smaller
  • change
  • color
  • cool
  • freeze
  • heat
  • lighter/heavier
  • melt
  • property
  • shape
  • size
  • texture