Kindergarten
The kindergarten standards stress the use of basic science skills to explore common materials, objects,
and living things. Emphasis is placed on using the senses to gather information. Students are expected to
develop skills in posing simple questions, measuring, sorting, classifying, and communicating
information about the natural world. The science skills are an important focus as students learn about life
processes and properties of familiar materials, such as magnets and water. Through phenomena including
shadows, patterns of weather, and plant growth, students are introduced to the concept of change. The
significance of natural resources and conservation is introduced in the kindergarten standards.
Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic
K.1 The student will conduct investigations in which
a) basic properties of objects are identified by direct observation;
b) observations are made from multiple positions to achieve different perspectives;
c) objects are described both pictorially and verbally;
d) a set of objects is sequenced according to size;
e) a set of objects is separated into two groups based on a single physical attribute;
f) nonstandard units are used to measure common objects;
g) a question is developed from one or more observations;
h) picture graphs are constructed using 10 or fewer units;
i) an unseen member in a sequence of objects is predicted; and
j) unusual or unexpected results in an activity are recognized.
K.2 Students will investigate and understand that humans have senses that allow one to seek, find,
take in, and react or respond to information in order to learn about one’s surroundings. Key
concepts include
a) five senses and corresponding sensing organs (taste – tongue, touch – skin, smell – nose,
hearing – ears, and sight – eyes); and
b) sensory descriptors (sweet, sour, bitter, salty, rough/smooth, hard/soft, cold, warm, hot,
loud/soft, high/low, bright/dull).
Force, Motion, and Energy
K.3 The student will investigate and understand that magnets have an effect on some materials, make
some things move without touching them, and have useful applications. Key concepts include
a) attraction/nonattraction, push/pull, attract/repel, and metal/nonmetal; and
b) useful applications (refrigerator magnet, can opener, magnetized screwdriver, and magnetic
games).
Matter
K.4 The student will investigate and understand that the position, motion, and physical properties of
an object can be described. Key concepts include
a) colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple), white, and black;
b) shapes (circle, triangle, square, and rectangle) and forms (flexible/stiff, straight/curved);
c) textures (rough/smooth) and feel (hard/soft);
d) relative size and weight (big/little, large/small, heavy/light, wide/thin, long/short);
and
