Science and Technology/Engineering
Science and Technology/Engineering
Embedded Files
Overview
The Newton Public Schools Science and Technology/Engineering program is designed to support all students as they develop into scientifically literate citizens. Through active engagement in science and engineering practices, students will explore the disciplinary core ideas across four domains: physical science; life science; earth and space science; and technology and engineering. A strong core K-5 curriculum - supported by teacher disciplinary knowledge and sufficient instructional time - will allow all students to explore their curiosities about the world, learn how scientists have investigated similar questions, carry out increasingly complex scientific investigations, and engage in engineering design projects.Overview
Unit One: Weather and Seasons
Unit One: Weather and Seasons
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
- Observe the weather conditions using several senses
- Collect and represent data about the weather in drawings and graphs
- Find patterns in our data to identify seasons
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
- How can we use our senses to observe and identify weather?
- How can we record our observations?
- What patterns can we notice as the seasons change?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
In this unit, students learn about weather and seasons through observation and collecting data. Students will:
- go on nature walks to observe the weather
- record the types of weather they are observing, including sunny, windy, and rainy days
- use a thermometer to record temperature
- look for patterns in their collected data and discuss seasonal change
Unit Two: Sand and Water
Unit Two: Sand and Water
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
- Use several senses to observe carefully or explore objects or materials
- Describe water is a liquid and takes the shape of its container
- Compare and contrast wet and dry sand in order to describe their properties
- Describe sand, through observations, as a solid that has weight, and that is made of small bits of different rocks and/or shells
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
- What is sand, and how does it move when it is dry and wet?
- What are the properties of water?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
- use a variety of tools and tubs of sand and water to investigate and observe the attributes of sand and water
- keep a journal to record observational drawings
Unit Three: Blocks
Unit Three: Blocks
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
- Use blocks to explore the effects of different strengths and directions of pushes and pulls
- Identify and describe characteristics of natural and human made materials
- Develop intuitive understanding of the forces of gravity, weight, balance, compression, and tension of the building materials
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
- How can blocks of a variety of shapes and sizes be used to design different structures?
- How does the kind of block and the design affect strength and balance?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
- use blocks to create a variety of designs
- explore the stability and balance of block designs
Unit Four: Bulbs
Unit Four: Bulbs
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
- Observe and communicate that plants need food, water, and air to survive
- Observe and communicate that plants make their own food, and need light to live and grow
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
- What do plants need to grow?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
- observe, predict, measure and record the growth of a narcissus bulb
- observe the growth pattern of a bulb and the roots grow first
- compare different flowers grown from bulbs
Unit Five: Ladybugs
Unit Five: Ladybugs
Learning Targets
Learning Targets
- Observe and communicate that animals need food, water, and air to survive
- Observe ladybugs in order to recognize and describe that all animals grow and change over time
Essential Questions
Essential Questions
- What does a ladybug need to grow and survive?
- How does a ladybug change and develop?
Instructional Snapshot
Instructional Snapshot
Students will:
- observe ladybugs' predictable sequence of growth
- participate in the care of the ladybugs
- keep a journal to record ladybug growth and development
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