1st Grade Science
Year at a Glance
In 1st Grade, instructional time should focus on three critical areas: The Earth in Space; Life: Structures and Functions and Lights & Sound. These concepts can be explored at anytime during the school year and are recommended to be used when appropriate as enhancements to your ReadyGen literacy resources. We hope these science connections help bring those standards to life.
Throughout 1st Grade Students Should:
Plan an investigation to provide evidence that vibrating materials make a sound.
Make observations about how we see objects based on the amount of light present.
Use tools to build a device that uses light or sound to communicate
Develop an understanding of how plants and animals use their external parts help them survive and grow.
Make observations and constructing explanations about how young plants and animals are like, but not exactly like, their parents.
Observe that the sun and moon appear to rise in one part of the sky, move across the sky, and set in a different part of the sky.
Make observations about the amount of light in the winter versus the summer.
Earth Science - The Earth in Space
Expectations for 1st Grade Students:
Understand that patterns of the motion of the sun, moon, and stars in the sky can be observed, described, and predicted.
ReadyGen Connections
Unit 5 King Kafu and the Moon, Let’s Visit the Moon, Our World in Space: Planets The Sun
(1-ESS1-1: Sun, Moon, and Star Patterns)
Mystery Science 1st Grade Student Notebook
Life Science - Structures and Functions
Expectations for 1st Grade Students:
Explain that offspring have characteristics that are similar to but not exactly like their parents characteristics; understand that an organism is a living thing that has physical features that help it survive.
ReadyGen Connections
Unit 1 Stellaluna Dragons and Giants, What Do You Do with a Tail Like This?, Sleuth: “How Polar Bears Hunt”; “A New Family”
(1-LS1-1: Biomimicry Design Solution)
Unit 4 Arbor Day Square, The Family Tree, The Life Cycle of an Apple Tree, How a Seed Grows
(1-LS3-1: Plant and Animal Structures - Parents and Offspring)
Unit 5 Sleuth: “Look out for Wildlife”; “Is Your Polar Bear Happy?”
(1-LS1-2: Behavior - Parents and Offspring)
Mystery Science 1st Grade Student Notebook
Physical Science - Lights & Sound
Expectations for 1st Grade Students:
Understand that sound can make matter vibrate and vibrating matter can make sound; objects can be seen if light is available; and people use different devices to communicate.
ReadyGen Connections
Unit 5 The Sun Sleuth: “Finding a Voice”
(1-PS4-2: Illumination and Darkness)
Mystery Science 1st Grade Student Notebook
Science Vocabulary - 1st Grade
All vocabulary for Mystery Science can be located in the "Extend the Lesson" section in each Unit. Vocabulary is presented in both English and Spanish and as both a slide show and teacher print out.
Multilingual Learner Language Expectations - 1st Grade
From the moment you ask where, why, and how? You are a scientist!
It is always a good reminder for both students and teachers, that we are all scientist! Below are some resources to share with your students about what a scientist looks like, what a scientist does and the importance of contributing to the world's collective science knowledge. The world needs science, and science needs YOU!
The Stories & Science of Real World Scientist
An interactive for inclusive Science and STEM education, this project aims to give young students real-life STEM role models.
Science & STEM Careers Portal - Explore Hundreds of STEM Fields
Encourage students to prepare for their future career success with Career Profile videos and student activations focusing on the STEM skills, knowledge, and interests needed to pursue exciting careers in the STEM industry. It’s never too early for students to plan their career path--help inspire the future workforce today. Explore More
Science Buddies - Career Discovery Tool
Browse career profiles to discover what scientists really do on the job and what it takes to prepare for these careers.
IF/THEN STEM Initiative
The IF/THEN Initiative is committed to showing young girls exactly what a scientist looks like. IF/THEN seeks to further advance women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) by empowering current innovators and inspiring the next generation of pioneers. Explore More
DoDSTEM
Scientists and engineers work across a wide range of career pathways throughout the STEM fields including biology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, engineering, mathematics, robotics, computer science and more. Explore the different types of STEM careers here and see what kind of opportunities might ignite your curiosity! Select a Topic to learn about STEM careers
