Kindergarten Exploring the Properties of Objects and Materials

Scope and Sequence

Suggested Time Frame: Kindergarten Science Curriculum Map

The Kindergarten Science Curriculum Map is aligned to the Thematic Scope and Sequence (see below).

The Kindergarten Science Curriculum Map outlines the following information:

1. Recommended pacing, scope, and sequence for each unit.
2. Alignment with standards, conceptual understandings, and performance indicators
3. Links to Unit Concept Storyboard Maps, Content and SEP Support Documents, and Curriculum Guides
4. Details for Evidence of Understanding, Essential Learning Experiences, and Suggested Learning Engagements
5. Where appropriate, alignment with specific FOSS, DSM, GEMS, and STC kit Activities and Investigations
• Thematic Units: Elements of these standards are addressed during the following thematic units
• Transportation/Neighborhood
  • 1st or 3rd NW/1 week
• Apples
  • 1st NW/1-2 weeks
• Pumpkins
  • 2nd NW/1-2 weeks
• Wood and Paper
  • 2nd NW/2-3 weeks
• Thanksgiving
  • 2nd NW/1 week
• Snow/Winter Weather
  • 3rd NW/2-3 weeks
• Dr. Seuss
  • 3rd NW/1 week
• Sifting Through Science
  • 4th NW/1-2 weeks

Learning Goals, Skills, and Concepts

Learning Goals

• Students will conduct observations using their senses to describe the physical properties of materials and objects and decide how to classify them in different ways based on their observations and descriptions.
• Students will develop models that they will use to describe, compare, and classify different materials and objects.
• Different materials should include (but are not limited to):
  • Wood
  • Plastic
  • Metal
  • Cloth
  • Paper
• Physical properties include:
  • Size
  • Shape
  • Color
  • Texture
  • Weight
  • Flexibility
  • Magnetic attraction
  • Ability to sink or float
• Types of models can include (but are not limited to):
  • T-Charts
  • Pictures
  • Venn Diagrams
  • Pictographs
• Students will ask questions about the possible uses of different materials and conduct investigations to determine the best materials for solving different problems (e.g.: Which materials is best for making paper? Which material is best for making a boat? Which paper is best for making a birthday card?)

Skills and Concepts

• Analyze and Interpret Data- SEP Support Document
• Develop and Use Models- SEP Support Document
• Conduct Investigations- SEP Support Document
• Properties of Objects- Essential Knowledge Support Document
• Different Materials- Essential Knowledge Support Document
• Investigations- Essential Knowledge Support Document

Science Concept Storyboard

This link will take you to a print-friendly version of the science concept storyboard.

Lessons and activities

Potential Instructional Strategies/Lessons/Examples

Lessons and Activities:

• How Do We Learn (DSM Kit) Investigation 2
• Wood and Paper (FOSS Kit) Investigations 1, 2, 3,4, 5
• Pearson SC Interactive Science Textbook: Chapter 4
  • Pearson STEM Activity Book
    • Activity 1 - Scratch Away
    • Activity 3 - How Can You Make A Crayon Box?
• Sifting Through Science GEMS book
• AIMS Activities: 2005 SC Science AIMS Kindergarten
  • Texture Rough, Texture Smooth
  • Rainbow ‘Round My Room
  • Bag of Beads
  • Scratching the Surface
  • Backpack Bounty
  • What Do You “Sink” Will Float
  • All Sorts of Stuff
  • Made of Matter
• Touch and Discover (K.P.4A.1 and 2)
  • This lesson, from the TeachEngineering website, details a variation on the traditional "mystery box" investigation where students use their sense of touch to describe and classify different objects without seeing them.
• Materials and Manufacturing (K.P.4A.1 and 2)
  • This lesson, from the American Association for the Advancement of Science ScienceNetLinks website, details a lesson where students look at different kinds of materials, identifying the properties of those materials and deciding upon their suitability for different purposes.

1st nine weeks - Apple and pumpkin investigations

• Sorting and categorizing (size, texture, etc) activities
• Measure and weigh
• sink/float investigations
• Cooking

2nd Nine Weeks- Thanksgiving Unit

• Observe properties of cream change as students make butter in the Classroom: http://www.brighthubeducation.com/elementary-school-activities/4629-making-butter-in-the-classroom/
• Design a mini boat from various materials (in addition to those listed in the lab) that will hold the most weight before sinking in the water table (Pearson Interactive Science Lab Chapter 4)
  • Compare different materials and properties
  • Sink / Float

2nd Nine Weeks- Wood & Paper Unit

• Investigation 1 - Getting to know Wood
  • The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
  • Introduction to wood samples
  • Wood hunt around the school
  • Wood and water investigation
    • Use droppers with water to observe absorption/puddling
  • Sinking investigation
    • How many paper clips does it take to sink the different types of wood
• Investigation 2 - Changing wood
  • Sanding wood
  • Sawdust and shavings
  • Making Sawdust wood
    • Students mix sawdust and glue to make particle board - you can turn the ball into a snowman head. Use white paint, a glue stick cap for it’s hat, wiggly eyes, black dots (paint or Sharpie) for and mouth, orange pipe cleaner for a nose.
  • Making Sandwich Wood
    • Students glue thin strips of wood together to make plywood - you can turn these into reindeer pins for a parent gift
• Investigation 3 - Getting to Know Paper
  • Paper Hunt
  • Writing and Drawing on Paper
  • Folding Paper
    • You can integrate this into mathematics by copying 3D shape foldables .
  • Paper and Water
• Investigation 4 - Changing Paper
  • Paper Recycling
    • Students make paper using toilet tissue - you can turn this into an ornament gift. (Foss Kit - Investigation 4 Changing Paper, pg. 11. After it dries, use bottled glue to make lines and sprinkle with glitter.)
      • You can integrate this into mathematics by having students partner up and measure each other with the toilet tissue to determine how much they can use
  • Papier Mache - you can make a pinata to be used in a Holidays Around the World Unit
• Investigation 5 - Constructions
  • Paper Boxes
    • You can integrate this into your mathematics 3D shape unit
  • Paper Weaving
    • You can use Red, Yellow, and Green colors to weave a Kwanzaa Matt for a Holidays Around the World Unit
  • Wood and Paper Sculptures

3rd Nine Weeks- Dr. Seuss Unit

• Make oobleck
  • How to Make Oobleck: http://www.livescience.com/21536-oobleck-recipe.html

4th Nine Weeks- Sifting Through Science

• Activity 1: Sink or Float?
  • Use a water table station to test out the buoyancy of different objects
• Activity 2: Magnets
  • Fill water table with sand and put objects (magnetic and non-magnetic) in it. Allow students to use large magnets to determine object's magnetic properties

Experiments, Field Studies, and Visitors:

• Skype with a paper company
• Visit a lumber yard
• Carpenter visit
• Pearson STEM Activity book Activity 1 - Scratch Away
  • Students design a cat scratching post
• Teach students simple origami
• Visit a recycling center or have a representative visit your class
• Magnetic school walk (students determine which objects around the school are magnetic)
• Students make a magnetic car track with a paper plate http://www.sophie-world.com/crafts/movable-magnetic-car-or-truck
  • Allow students to create a magnetic game

Workshop and Centers Integration:

• Add craft sticks, sawdust shavings and twigs to the art center
• Set up a water table in the classroom for students to explore buoyancy of objects
  • Encourage students to develop tricks to turn sinking objects into floaters
• Add magformers to block centers

Projects and Experiential Learning:

• Recycling club
• Build a birdhouse, bat house or other structure
• Pearson STEM Activity 3 - How Can You Make A Crayon Box?
  • Students design the ideal crayon box for his/her desk

Additional Resources

Literature:

Magnets

• Magnets: Pushing Together, Pulling Apart (Amazing Science) by Natalie M. Rosinsky
• A Look at Magnets (Science Builders) by Barbara Alpert

Wood and Paper

• Foss Kit provided book - Foss Science Stories Wood and Paper
  • The Story of a Chair
  • Are You a Scientist?
  • The Story of a Box
  • Land, Air, and Water
  • The Pinata Maker
  • Mighty Tree
  • I Am Wood
• The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein

Reading A to Z:

Earth’s Water https://www.readinga-z.com/books/leveled-books/book/?id=231

Does it Sink or Float? https://www.readinga-z.com/books/leveled-books/book/?id=1098

Brain Pop Jr.

• Matter: https://jr.brainpop.com/science/matter/

Videos:

• Educational Video for Kids How Paper is Made: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IP0Ch1Va44
• Make Recycled Paper! (7:57) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1hb3wqIlbA
• Making paper from wood: https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/cf13df20-ba3f-4dcc-a4d3-c6ee060af0bc?hasLocalHost=true
• Recycling paper: https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/43b190e4-b087-4ae3-833f-43e54a90ee92?hasLocalHost=true
• Sesame Street Recycling Newspaper:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTQmCYl8Ap8

• Uses of wood: https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/c84eb108-a024-49e6-a378-ca62a66a6a95?hasLocalHost=true
• Bill Nye The Science Guy: Paper: https://app.discoveryeducation.com/learn/videos/18158cf8-6b68-434e-aadc-994cbd785f42?hasLocalHost=true
• Float or Sink : Why do things float? Why do things sink - Lesson for kids (10:29 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8kszaZGLKE
• Magnetism | The Dr. Binocs Show | Educational Videos For Kids (3:35 min) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yXCeuSiTOug