Northshore classrooms use TCI, an inquiry-based science curriculum where kindergarten students explore science through hands-on investigation and thinking.
Kindergarten science is designed to be exploratory and hands-on. Students learn concepts from physical, life, and Earth sciences, using their senses and investigations to make meaning. Typical study topics include:
Making observations about the weather using senses
Using simple meteorologist tools to explore temperature and describe weather patterns
Noticing patterns in nature, like sunny vs. cloudy days
Understanding change over time in the environment
Exploring how pushes and pulls move objects
Investigating motion: how objects start, stop, and change direction
Using simple models to observe motion and the relationship between force and movement
Learning what living things (plants and animals) need to survive
Observing and describing living vs. non-living things
Recognizing how living things interact with their environment
Across these topics, students practice foundational science skills, such as:
Making careful observations
Describing patterns in nature
Asking questions and making predictions
Communicating findings with simple words or drawings
Using tools and senses to explore the world
These skills are part of the larger state science standards and help students think like scientists from the start.
๐จโ๐ฉโ๐งโ๐ฆ Family & Home Support
Families can support kindergarten science learning by:
Observing the weather together and charting patterns ๐ฆ๏ธ
Talking about how toys move when pushed or pulled ๐
Exploring plants and animals in your backyard ๐ฟ
Asking questions and discussing what you notice ๐
These real-world science experiences reinforce what students are exploring at school.