WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF KINDERGARTEN SCIENCE!

Welcome to Kindergarten Science

Welcome to P.S. 41. We believe that students can grow and develop through careful practice, hands on exploration and reflection on each of the subjects we cover in class.

Kindergarten Science Curriculum

Science process skills should be based on a series of discoveries. Students learn most effectively when they have a central role in the discovery process. The Science Standards reflect a student-centered, problem-solving approach to science. Inquiry and Process Skills are an integral part of each unit of study. The application of these skills allows students to investigate important issues in the world around them. These process skills are incorporated into students’ instruction as developmentally appropriate.

The Five Senses

Science is introduced to students by learning the five senses. Students learn the functions of each of the five sense. We learn how the five senses are used during scientific investigations in order to make predictions, make observations, collect data, record data and draw conclusions about what we are studying.

The first unit Kindergarten will be studying is "Trees." Kindergartners will discover that trees can be identified by their structure. They will learn that trees are a resource and provide us with many everyday things. Students will learn that trees are growing, living organisms that need water, light and nutrients from soil. We can also identify trees by their shape and can be described by their properties including size, shape and texture. We will also observe how trees change through their seasons. Students will identify the different parts of trees, observe leaves closely, and observe similarities and differences between them.

Trees Through Seasons

OUR APPLE INVESTIGATION:

We have been studying resources that come from trees as a part of our "Trees Through Seasons" unit. We cut open apples, observed the seeds, and conducted an investigation to find out how fruit grows on trees. Next, we investigated the colors of apples, their stems, counted the seeds, used a pan balance to weigh apples with snap cubes, figured out how tall an apple is and created apple prints. We also explored other resources that come from trees in the same fashion.

Exploring Properties

During the "Exploring Properties" unit of study, students will learn how to observe, identify and describe the physical properties of objects using the appropriate senses (size, texture, shape and color).Students will be able to observe and describe the physical properties of objects using tools such as a thermometer, a balance pan, capacity of containers and magnifying glasses. Students will also learn to categorize according to their property as well.

To get students engaged and excited about beginning the "Exploring Properties" unit, we threw around a stuffed apple. Using 4 of our senses, we brainstormed words to describe its properties. Later, we categorized wood into groups by examining the properties! We found different ways to group them!

The Kindergarten students worked in cooperative learning groups to explore the properties of wood. They constructed shapes and using the wood in order to build structures! The students used problem solving skills in order to make the structures stand and be supported. They learned that we can use wood in many different ways! Take a look to see what they've created!

In this section of the unit, students investigated how wood reacts with water. We used droppers to see if water gets absorbed into wood or if it repels it and stays on top. Students also discovered that wood floats on top of water and that some wood weighs less than others. In this investigation, students used rubber bands and paperclips as weights to see how they could get wood to sink! They made a hypothesis about how they could get the wood to sink and how many paper clips it would take. They recorded their results on their lab reports. Look at what they discovered!

Kindergartners kicked off the New Year by further exploring properties. Students were given "mystery boxes" with "mystery objects." They worked with their lab partners to describe the properties of objects by the way they feel. After they described some of the properties, they had to try to guess what the object was based on its property. They recorded their results on their lab report. What was the big mystery?

Animals

For the "Animals" unit, Kindergartners will learn to identify the basic needs of animals to live and thrive. They will discover that living things grow and change. They will observe and compare the different structures that enable animals to live and thrive such as wings, legs, fins, eyes, nose, ears, fur, skin, claws, etc. Students will recognize that living things have offspring that resemble their parents. Students will discover the characteristics of animals and their behaviors.

For more information on NYC curriculum, click on the link below into your browser:

NYC Science Scope and Sequence

Homework

Science Homework will be sent out in each child's homework folder.

The homework assignment page is for the current month.

There is one homework assignment per week.

It is due the following Monday that the assignment is given.

Science Homework is a reinforcement of the topics taught in class.

Content Area Trips:

October Trips:

Tuesday October 14th: The Kindergarten took a Trip to Van Cortlandt Park to make observations on trees and collect tree specimens to observe closely. They compared the specimens they collected.

November Trips:

The Kindergarten will take a trip to Alley Pond on the dates listed below to study a pond habitat, make observations in the changes in trees and the wildlife that occupy the area.

Monday, November 3rd (K-B5)

Wednesday, November 5th (KB7)

Tuesday, November 19th (KB9 & K123)

Friday, November 21st (K102, KB11& KB13)

December Trips:

The Kindergarten students will take a trip to the Manhattan Children's Museum. They will have the opportunity to explore "Dora's Neighborhood" and find the properties of objects within her neighborhood using their five senses

Friday January 16th- K123

Tuesday, January 20th- KB5 and KB9

Friday, January 23rd- KB11 and KB13

Monday, January 26th- KB7 and K102

LINKING DANCE WITH SCIENCE!!!

The Kindergarten have Dance Class with Ms. Susan from the 92nd Street Y on Mondays. Together, we have been discussing our body's skeletal system, heart, lungs and brain. We have been incorporating our scientific knowledge of the body into our dance movements!

Check our our pictures!