United States · Common Core State Standards
Kindergarten Science
This curriculum introduces kindergarteners to the fundamental principles of scientific inquiry through hands on exploration of the physical and natural world. Students develop observation skills to understand the needs of living things, the impact of weather patterns, and the mechanics of pushes and pulls.
01Force, Motion, and Interactions
Students investigate how objects move and the effects of different strengths and directions of pushes and pulls.
Students explore how applied force changes the motion of an object through direct manipulation and observation.
Students conduct simple experiments to observe and describe the effects of pushes and pulls on various objects.
Students investigate how objects collide and how surfaces affect the path of a moving toy or ball.
Students explore how different surfaces (smooth, rough) impact the distance and speed of moving objects.
Students apply knowledge of forces to solve a simple design problem like moving an object to a specific target.
Students explore how simple machines like levers and ramps can make it easier to move objects.
Students observe and discuss how gravity causes objects to fall downwards.
Students explore the attractive and repulsive forces of magnets on various materials.
02Living Things and Their Environments
An exploration of what plants and animals need to survive and how they interact with their habitats.
Students identify the basic requirements for plant life including water, light, and soil.
Students identify the basic requirements for animal life including food, water, and shelter.
Students compare and contrast the essential needs of plants and animals.
Students discover how the environment provides everything a living thing needs to thrive.
Students explore various habitats such as forests, deserts, oceans, and grasslands, identifying characteristic plants and animals.
Students learn how animals have special features that help them survive in their habitats.
Students explore how plants have special features that help them survive in different environments.
Students understand how humans can impact the environment through their actions.
Students learn about ways to protect natural resources and help plants and animals.
Students observe and describe the basic stages of life cycles for common plants and animals.
03Sunlight and Weather Patterns
Observing weather patterns and the warming effects of the sun on different Earth surfaces.
Students investigate how sunlight warms sand, soil, rocks, and water at different rates.
Students explore ways to keep surfaces cool when the sun is shining brightly or keep things warm.
Students record daily weather conditions to identify patterns over time.
Students observe and describe how weather changes with the seasons.
Students learn about different types of clouds and how they relate to rain, snow, and other precipitation.
Students observe and measure wind direction and strength using simple tools.
Students learn about thunderstorms and how to stay safe during them.
Students learn about blizzards and ice storms and how to prepare for them.
Students learn about tornadoes and how to stay safe.
Students identify community helpers who provide information and assistance during severe weather events.
04The Senses and Scientific Inquiry
Using the five senses to observe, describe, and classify materials in the world.
Students explore how their five senses help them observe and understand the world around them.
Students are introduced to using magnifiers, rulers, and scales to enhance their natural senses.
Students practice using simple tools to measure length, weight, and volume.
Students classify solid objects based on observable physical properties like texture, color, and flexibility.
Students explore the properties of liquids, such as how they flow and take the shape of their container.
Students investigate which materials are best suited for different purposes based on their properties.
Students develop the habit of asking 'why' and 'how' through open-ended exploration of natural artifacts.
Students learn to make simple predictions based on observations and prior knowledge.
Students plan and carry out simple investigations to answer their questions.
Students communicate their observations, findings, and ideas to others.
05Sound and Vibration: Grade 1 Preview (NGSS PS4)
Preview content aligned to NGSS PS4 (Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer). Sound and vibration are Grade 1 performance expectations (1-PS4-1), not Kindergarten. Included here as optional enrichment only — not a K NGSS requirement.
GRADE 1 PREVIEW (1-PS4-1) — Students investigate how sounds are made by vibrations and how we hear them.
Preview content aligned to NGSS PS4 (Waves and Their Applications in Technologies for Information Transfer). Light and shadows are Grade 1 performance expectations (1-PS4-2, 1-PS4-3), not Kindergarten. Included here as optional enrichment only — not a K NGSS requirement.