PS.K.1.1

Analyze and interpret data to classify objects by physical properties (size, color, shape, texture, weight and flexibility).

District Recommended Resources for Kindergarten Grade Science

Wood & Paper Kit

Kit rental options are available. See your administrator.

Science Phenomena Resources

Other Phenomena Sites

Next Generation Science Standards YouTube Channel

Step 1: Lesson Standards & Learning Goals

NC K-12 Science Supporting Document Grade K

Teacher note: *Separate physical properties based on student needs. Some students may reach proficiency before others. For example, some students may be proficient with colors and should move on to shapes.

Dimension 1:

SEP: Analyze and Interpret Data:

With guidance and support, students record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas) and use observations (first hand or from media) to describe properties of objects.

Dimension 2:

CCC: Patterns

Dimension 3:

Disciplinary Core Ideas:

Matter can be described and classified by its observable properties (e.g., visual, aural, textural), by its uses, and by whether it occurs naturally or is manufactured. Objects or samples of a substance can be weighed, and their size can be described and measured (A Framework for K-12 Science Education).

Sample Essential Questions

Vocabulary

What are some ways we can describe objects based on how they look and feel?
What criteria can we use to group objects (e.g., color, size, shape, texture)?
How do we decide which group an object belongs to?
How can we describe the shape of objects (e.g., round, square, long)?

alike
bendable
bumpy
color
data
different
flexibility
hearing
heavy
large
light
liquid
matter
observation
physical properties
rough

round
same
senses
shape
sight
similar
size
small
smell
smooth
stiff
sort
taste
texture
touch
weight

Students will be able to...

Use the five senses (sight, touch, hearing, smell and taste) in order to describe an object.
Collect data on physical properties of objects including size, color, shape, texture, weight and flexibility.
Accurately use vocabulary such as large, small, round, bumpy, rough, smooth, heavy, light, stiff, bendable etc. to describe objects.
Make statements about the data collected on the physical properties of objects such as, “there are more blue objects than red objects”.
Analyze and Interpret Data - Students classify or organize the data collected into categories and explain their reasoning for the classification. Students use and share pictures, drawings, and/or writings of observations with teacher and peers.

Students will know...

The five senses are sight, touch, hearing, smell, and taste.
Objects can be described based on their physical properties.
Physical properties include size, color, shape, texture, weight, and flexibility.
Data is a collection of information.
- It can be sorted into categories and displayed using models or drawings.

Step 2: Assessment

Formative Assessments

Writing Prompts

Mystery Box - Put your hands in the mystery box and feel the object. Draw a picture or write about how it feels. Use words such as soft, furry, smooth, hard, or rough to describe the texture of the object.
Nature Walk - Go on a nature walk around the school. Find three different objects. Draw a picture of each one and describe each object using words like big, small, rough, smooth, light, or heavy.
Magical Object - Imagine you found a magical object. Draw a picture of your object and describe how it looks and feels. Use words like round, flexible, small, furry, or smelly to describe your object.
Descriptive Drawing - Have students select an object to write about: wooden block, rock (rough & smooth) sandpaper, feather, pom-pom ball, play dough, felt cloth, etc. Draw a picture of the object and label the picture using vocabulary to describe their object: soft, fluffy, hard, heavy, rough, light, color words, etc.

Mini Projects and Investigations

I Spy:

Play I Spy with small groups. Ex. I spy something furry and brown. What could it be? Students look around the classroom to find something with those properties.

Scavenger Hunt:

Provide the scavenger hunt recording sheet. Students may draw a picture or write the word of an object with each physical property.

Play-Doh Changes Over Time:

Observe how Play-Doh changes in texture and color over time.

Pocket Chart Sort:

- Have students sort pictures of objects on a pocket chart by:
  - Texture: soft, rough, hard, smooth
  - Color: red, blue, green, etc.
  - Shape: circle, square, triangle, etc.

Texture Sensory Box:

As students are using the sensory mystery box to feel various items, have them describe the textures they feel to a partner. Make predictions about what the mystery items could be.

Culminating Activity

Texture Collage:

Gather a variety of objects with different textures (e.g., smooth, rough, soft, bumpy).
Provide materials like paper, fabric scraps, sandpaper, and plastic toys.
Create a texture collage where students label and glue objects of different textures onto their papers.

Step 3: Lesson Instructions