1st-4th Grade Science
1ST grade curriculum
First grade scientists have had a great time completing our study of the sky. It was such a joy to see so many of you at our Astronomy Night in February. It was a wonderful opportunity for the children to see the night sky in a very special way.
First graders are now moving on to our study of life science. This section of science will include 2 units; Animal Reporters and Leafology. In our Animal Reporters unit we will embark on a global quest to observe different animals. We will discover how animals use their body parts and how young animals resemble and are different from their parents.
2nd Grade Curriculum
Second grade junior scientists are nearing completion of our,“Journey West” unit. They have been working hard on completing their 2D to 3D maps and will learn about the continental divide and various types of maps. We will soon start a new unit titled, “Save the Island”. In this unit, we will investigate Tangier Island in Virginia. We will learn that Tangier Island is at risk of disappearing beneath the waves due to coastal erosion. Students will learn about the quick and slow ways that the earth can change around us and some of the engineering solutions used to slow down or prevent these changes.
We will work hard to find solutions to Tangier Islands problems to see if we can save the island!
3RD GRADE CURRICULUM
Third graders are working hard to complete our study of the Ice Age and will very soon start our new unit, “Weather Warning HQ.” In this unit students will study weather patterns locally and around the world. They will work to answer various queries-from when to hold an outdoor event, to what time of year is best for a jungle expedition. Students will learn to use weather tools and make observations to help answer these queries.
Bonnie Cabbage Contest
Third grade scientists have been invited to compete in an at home challenge to raise the biggest cabbage plant in the state. This competition was set up by the Bonnie Cabbage Program and offers a $1,000 scholarship to the 3rd grader who can raise the biggest cabbage in the state. It is a lot of fun to watch the children take on this challenge, learn more about gardening and how to help plants to grow as strong and big as possible. There are numerous tips and tricks on the Bonnie Cabbage website: https://www.bonniecabbageprogram.com/
I sent home a short letter with some links that you might find helpful.
I am including some of those links and tips below as well:
It will take you about 82 days to have your cabbage ready to harvest. Here are some tips on how to know when you cabbage is ready to harvest: https://www.bonniecabbageprogram.com/start-growing/harvesting-your-cabbage/
Once your cabbage is harvested you will need to weigh the cabbage immediately after harvesting. You will need to take a picture of your child with the cabbage and will need to submit both the digital image and weight with your official submission form found here:
https://www.bonniecabbageprogram.com/start-growing/harvesting-your-cabbage/. The last day for the children to submit their cabbage entry is September 20, 2024.
Happy Growing!
Mrs. Yee
4TH GRADE CURRICULUM
Fourth grade scientists are working to complete the unit titled, “Super Survivors”. In this unit we have worked to investigate the animal kingdom’s most amazing super survivors. They have put their own human abilities to the test and built on their knowledge of information processing, and investigated how a living species' many body parts work together to survive in their world.
4th graders will soon move to our next investigation titled, “Time Traveling Tour Guides”. In this unit students will take a tour of the Grand Canyon observing fossils in the rock layers, and the course of the Colorado river. They will look at maps to learn about the Earth’s features and investigate the effects of wind and water erosion.
SCIENCE WEBSITES:
Museum of Natural History:
https://learningzone.oumnh.ox.ac.uk/
Bill Nye the Science Guy: https://billnye.com/
Kids Science Sites: http://www.kidsites.com/sites-edu/science.htm
Learn About Energy and How to Save It: https://www.eia.gov/kids/
Oakland Zoo:
California Academy of Science: