State Curriculum - Science

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Grade PK Grade K
Standard 2.0 Earth/Space Science: Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the chemical and physical interactions (i.e., natural forces and cycles, transfer of energy) of the environment, Earth, and the universe that occur over time. Standard 2.0 Earth/Space Science: Students will use scientific skills and processes to explain the chemical and physical interactions (i.e., natural forces and cycles, transfer of energy) of the environment, Earth, and the universe that occur over time.
A. Materials and Processes That Shape A Planet A. Materials and Processes That Shape A Planet
1. Investigate objects and materials in the environment.
  a. Observe and describe a variety of natural and human-made objects found in familiar environments (school, neighborhood, etc.).
  b. Examine and describe Earth materials.
  • rocks
  • soil
  • water
  c. Using examples, describe that objects and materials, such as trees, rocks, and hills on Earth's surface can change.
B. Earth History B. Earth History
C. Plate Tectonics C. Plate Tectonics
D. Astronomy D. Astronomy
1. Observe celestial objects that are visible in the day and night sky.
  a. Identify and describe the sun, moon and stars.
  b. Describe ways in which the daytime and nighttime skies are different.
E. Interactions of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere E. Interactions of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere
2. Describe the weather using observations.
2. Investigate and gather information about changes in weather.
a. Observe and describe the weather using senses.
a. Observe and describe different weather conditions using senses.
b. Describe qualititative changes in weather, such as temperatures, precipitation, wind, etc.
b. Record observations using pictures, pictographs, or written/oral language.
  c. Describe qualitative changes in weather, such as temperatures, precipitation, wind, etc
 

Note: Highlighting identifies assessment limits. All highlighted Indicators will be tested on the Grades 5 and 8 MSA. The highlighted Objectives under each highlighted Indicator identify the limit to which MSA items can be written. Although all content standards are tested on MSA, not all Indicators and Objectives are tested. Objectives that are not highlighted will not be tested on MSA, however are an integral part of Instruction.

 

MSDE has developed a toolkit for these standards which can be found online at: http://mdk12.org/instruction/curriculum/science/vsc_toolkit.html.

 

January 2008