Pacing Guide Science – 1st Grade

Grade First/Physical Science

MONTH / STANDARDS AND ELEMENTS: / SKILLS AND CONCEPTS / TERMS VOCABULARY / ASSESSMENTS
August
2 weeks
*Nov.
2 weeks
*Feb.
2 weeks
*May
1 week / Weather & Climate
S1E1 Students will observe, measure, and communicate weather data to see patterns in weather and climate.
a. Identify different types of weather and the characteristics of each type.
b. Investigate weather by observing, measuring with simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), & recording weather data (temp., precipitation, sky conditions, & weather events) in a periodic journal or on a calendar seasonally.
c. Correlate weather data (temp., precipitation, sky conditions, & weather events) to seasonal change. / Use simple weather instruments and observations to collect and chart weather data in a periodic journal throughout the year. (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge)
Read /listen to stories about the weather and relate the stories to observations.
Blow bubbles or make pinwheels to observe the winds direction and strength. / Temperature
Wind
Precipitation
Conditions
Thermometer
Thunderstorm
Tornado
Hurricane / Maintain a journal of daily or weekly weather observations. For example, teachers will set up a rain gauge that could be monitored after each day of rain or students will observe and record the weather every Wednesday.
Allow a child to be a Meteorologist for the Day to observe and report the weather
Tornado in a Bottle - purchase tornado tube to connect two 2-liter bottles
August
2 weeks
Sept.
2 weeks / Water
S1E2 Students will observe and record changes in water as it relates to weather.
a. Recognize changes in water when it freezes (ice) & when it melts (water).
b. Identify forms of precipitation such as rain, snow, sleet, & hailstones as either solid (ice) or liquid (water).
c. Determine that the weight of water before freezing, after freezing, & after melting stays the same.
d. Determine that water in an open container disappears into the air over time, but water in a closed container does not. / Use balances, observe and record data. / Demonstrate phase changes with ice, then students write or draw their understanding. Set up an open container of water and a closed container of water to demonstrate evaporation. (1 open bottle, 1 closed with same amounts of water)
In the morning, place a piece of ice in one of the balances and check every 30 minutes.
Sept – Oct.
6 weeks / Magnets
S1P2 Students will demonstrate effects of magnets on other magnets and other objects.
a. Demonstrate how magnets attract and repel.
b. Identify common objects that are attracted to a magnet.
c. Identify objects and materials (air, water, wood, paper, your hand, etc.) that do not block magnetic force. / Set up centers in which students can experiment with magnets.
Nov. –
Dec.
4 weeks / Light/Shadows
S1P1 Students will investigate light and sound.
a. Recognize sources of light.
b. Explain how shadows are made. / AIMS activities
January – Feb.
6 weeks / Sound
S1P1 Students will investigate light and sound.
c. Investigate how vibrations produce sound.
d. Differentiate between various sounds in terms of (pitch) high or low and (volume) loud or soft.
e. Identify emergency sounds and sounds that help us stay safe. / Students will investigate palm pipes, tuning forks, singing voices, sirens, ambulance sounds, musical notes, and all types of instruments.
March – April
7 weeks / Plants & Animals
L1 Students will investigate the characteristics and basic needs of plants and animals.
a. Identify the basic needs of a plant.
1. Air
2. Water
3. Light
4. Nutrients
b. Identify the basic needs of an animal.
1. Air
2. Water
3. Food
4. Shelter
c. Identify the parts of a plant – root, stem, leaf, & flower.
d. Compare & describe various animals – appearance, motion, growth, basic needs. / Teachers should have a living organism in their class (plant, gerbil, or fish).
This could be a good class "science fair" project for the students.
May / Review for 2nd Grade

Science First GradePage 1