Overview 

In kindergarten, the focus of instruction is to guide students in exploring their surroundings through sensory experiences that inspire observation and inquiry. By engaging in hands-on investigations, students develop foundational skills in scientific thinking. They learn to make predictions, collect data, and express their observations both artistically and verbally. Key scientific topics covered in kindergarten include the characteristics of water and the effects of pushes and pulls on the motion of objects. Students also examine the relationship between the sun and Earth by exploring concepts like shadows and weather patterns. Furthermore, kindergartners differentiate between living and non-living things, recognizing that living organisms have basic needs. They investigate natural patterns such as weather changes, seasons, temperature variations, and the cycle of day and night. This curriculum introduces the idea that change occurs over time and emphasizes the impact that students can have on the environment through their use of natural resources. Overall, these topics lay the groundwork for curiosity, encouraging students to observe, understand, and communicate information about the natural world around them. 

Click on the blue folders to access the standards of learning and the curriculum framework!