MSAD #55

Kindergarten Science Benchmarks

And Units

10/05

Classifying Life Forms

 

A.        Students will understand that there are similarities within the diversity of all living things.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Identify the differences between living and nonliving things

 

q      a    Ocean

 

2.         Describe characteristics of different living things

 

q      a.   Insects

 

3.         Describe the characteristics of different living things.

 

q      a.   Insects

 

4.         Design and describe a classification system for objects.

 

q      a.   Ocean

 

Ecology

 

B.        Students will understand how living things depend on one another and on non-living aspects of the environment.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Identify ways that organisms depend upon their environment

           

q      a.   Insects

 

3.         Give examples of how one change in a system affects other parts of a system.

 

q      a.   Body and Senses

 

4.         Describe different ecological systems on earth.

 

q      a.   Ocean

 

5.         Describe a familiar local environment.

 

q      a.   Ocean

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cells

 

C.        Students will understand that cells are the basic units of life.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Demonstrate that living things are made up of different parts.

           

q      a.   Insects

q      b.   Body & Senses

 

2.         Demonstrate an understanding that plants and animals need food, water, and gases to survive.

           

q      a.   Insects

q      b.   Body & Senses

q      c.   Health

q      d.   Ocean

 

3.         Explore magnifying devices and how they allow one to see in more detail.

 

q      a.   Insects

 

4.         Provide examples of causes of diseases

           

q      a.   Health

 

Continuity and Change

 

D.        Students will the basis for all life and that all living things change over time.  Students will be able to:

 

 

2.         Identify characteristics that help organisms live in their environment.

           

q      a.   Insects

 

3.         Draw or describe ways in which an organism can change over its lifetime, sometimes in predictable ways (e.g., butterfly or frog)

 

q      a.   Insects

 

4.         Describe ways in which individuals of the same species are alike or different.

 

q      a.   Insects

q      b.   Body & Senses

 

Structure of Matter

 

E.        Students will understand the structure of matter and the changes it can undergo.  Students will be able to:

 

 

2.         Describe some physical properties of objects.

           

q      a.   Weather

 

3.         Group objects based on observable characteristics (e.g., color, size, or texture)

           

q      a.   Weather

 

The Earth

 

F.         Students will gain knowledge about the earth and the processes that change it.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Describe the way weather changes.

           

q      a.   Weather

 

2.         Analyze the relationships between observable weather patterns and the cycling of seasons.

           

q      a.   Weather

 

3.         Observe changes that are caused by water, snow, wind, and ice.

 

q      a.   Weather

 

 

The Universe

 

G.        Students will gain knowledge about the universe and how humans have learned about it, and about the principles upon which it operates.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Explain the cycles of day/night and of seasons.

     

q      a.   Weather

 

Energy

 

H.        Students will understand concepts of energy.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Demonstrate an understanding that the sun gives off light and heat energy.

 

q      a.   Weather

 

2.         Explain why living things need energy.

 

q      a.   Health

 

Motion

 

I.          Students will understand the motion of objects and how forces can change that motion.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Develop a variety of ways to describe the motion of an object.

           

q      a.   Insects

.

2.         Demonstrate that the motion of an object can be changed.

           

q      a.   Weather

 

Inquiry and Problem Solving

 

J.         The student will apply inquiry and problem-solving approaches in science and technology.  Students will be able to:

 

1.         Make accurate observations using appropriate tools and units of measure

 

q      a.   Insects

 

2.         Ask questions and propose strategies and materials to use in seeking answers to questions.

 

q      a.   Insects

 

 

Scientific Reasoning

 

K.        Students will learn to formulate and justify ideas and to make informed decisions  Students will be able to:.

 

3.         Make observations

 

q      a.   Body & Senses

q      b.   Insects

 

4.         Describe different ecological systems on earth.

 

q      a.   Body & Senses

q      b.   Insects

 

.

 

 

Communication

 

L.         Students will communicate effectively in the application of science and technology.  Students will be able to:

 

1.              Describe and compare things in terms of number, shape, texture, size, weight, color, and behavior.

 

q      a.   Insects

 

2.              Read and write instructions to be followed or instructions which explain procedures.

 

3.              Ask clarifying questions

 

q      a.   Insects

 

4.              Explain problem-solving processes using verbal, pictorial, and written methods.

 

5.              Make and read simple graphs

 

q      a.   Weather

 

6.              Use objects and pictures to represent scientific and technological ideas.

 

q      a.   Insects