First Nine Weeks:
1. Scientific Investigation and Reasoning
(TEKS 2.1): Ask questions about the world around them and explore how science helps to answer these questions.
(TEKS 2.2): Plan and conduct simple investigations, make observations, and use tools to collect data (e.g., magnifying glasses, rulers, thermometers).
(TEKS 2.3): Communicate observations and findings clearly.
2. Properties of Matter
(TEKS 2.5): Identify and describe the physical properties of matter, including mass, shape, color, texture, and temperature.
(TEKS 2.6): Observe and describe how matter changes when it is heated or cooled (e.g., melting, freezing, evaporation).
3. Force and Motion
(TEKS 2.6): Observe and describe the effects of force on motion (e.g., objects moving faster or slower when pushed or pulled).
Second Nine Weeks:
4. Living Systems
(TEKS 2.10): Identify the basic needs of living organisms (air, water, food, shelter).
(TEKS 2.11): Explore how plants and animals grow, develop, and change.
(TEKS 2.12): Recognize that organisms are adapted to their environment to meet their needs (e.g., camouflaged animals, plants that need sunlight).
5. Life Cycles
(TEKS 2.9): Describe the life cycles of animals (e.g., egg, larva, pupa, adult) and plants (seed, sprout, flower, seed).
(TEKS 2.8): Compare and contrast different types of organisms in terms of their habitats and life cycles (e.g., butterflies and frogs).
6. Ecosystems and Environment
(TEKS 2.7): Identify the basic components of an ecosystem (plants, animals, and their environment).
(TEKS 2.13): Understand how animals and plants depend on each other and their environment.
Third Nine Weeks:
7. Earth and Space
(TEKS 2.7): Identify objects in the sky, including the sun, moon, stars, and clouds.
(TEKS 2.8): Understand the concept of day and night, and describe how the position of the sun causes day and night.
(TEKS 2.9): Observe and describe changes in the weather (e.g., temperature, wind, precipitation) and recognize patterns in the seasons.
8. Weather and Climate
(TEKS 2.8): Observe and record weather conditions over time and identify weather patterns (e.g., hot, cold, wet, dry).
(TEKS 2.6): Investigate how different types of weather (rain, sun, wind) affect the environment.
9. Earth’s Resources
(TEKS 2.6): Understand the importance of conserving resources like water, energy, and natural habitats.
(TEKS 2.7): Recognize the role of the Earth’s resources, including water, air, and land, in the lives of living organisms.
Fourth Nine Weeks:
10. Changes in the Earth’s Surface
(TEKS 2.6): Investigate ways the Earth’s surface changes (e.g., erosion, weathering, volcanic activity, earthquakes).
(TEKS 2.7): Understand the role of weathering and erosion in shaping the Earth’s surface over time.
11. Forces in Nature
(TEKS 2.6): Explore how forces of nature (wind, water, temperature) shape the landscape (e.g., erosion, weathering).
12. Review and Application of Concepts
(TEKS 2.1–2.13): Review key concepts learned during the year, allowing students to apply their scientific inquiry skills.
Use experiments and hands-on activities to demonstrate and solidify knowledge about matter, living organisms, ecosystems, and Earth systems.
The first semester (1st and 2nd nine weeks) focuses on scientific inquiry, the properties of matter, force and motion, and the study of living organisms and life cycles.
The second semester (3rd and 4th nine weeks) dives deeper into Earth and space science, weather and climate, Earth’s resources, and changes to the Earth’s surface.