What Do They Learn in Science

Young children are naturally so curious!

A basic science curriculum for elementary school typically focuses on building foundational understanding of exploration and observation. With guidance, they begin to understand how to ask questions and are encouraged to seek answers.

Here’s what science is all about for young learners.

Kindergarten/Pre-1A

Children ages 4-6 are introduced to the world around them. They begin to develop scientific thinking and exploration.

• Life Science: Learn about different animals and plants and basic animal habitats. They learn to recognize when objects are living and non-living.

• Physical Science: Introduction to states of matter (solid, liquid, gas) through simple experiments.

  Basic properties of objects (shape, size, color, texture).

• Earth Science: Weather, seasons, and how the Earth changes (e.g., rain, snow).

  Introduction to the Earth’s natural resources, like water and soil.

• Science Skills: Observation, prediction, classification. Investigating objects and environments using senses.

Activities:

planting and observing growth

water and ice- properties of matter

sink or float experiment

1st Grade

First graders are introduced to basic scientific concepts

• Life Science: Basic plant and animal needs (food, water, shelter) and life cycles.

• Physical Science: Simple machines (levers, pulleys), light and sound, properties of matter.

• Earth Science: The sun’s impact on Earth, weather patterns, introduction to the solar system.

• Science Skills: Observing, comparing, and describing objects.

  Activities:

  shadow tracking

  animal habitat models

2nd Grade

In second grade children begin to build essential science skills and form ideas about scientific processes. they begin to notice patterns of change.

• Life Science: Life cycles in plants and animals, adaptations, ecosystems.

• Physical Science: Forces and motion (push, pull), magnetism, matter (solid, liquid, gas), and simple chemical reactions (mixing substances).

• Earth Science: The water cycle, types of clouds, and basic geology (rocks, soil).

• Science Skills: Making predictions, conducting simple experiments, charting observations.

  Activities:

  life cycle of a butterfly

  magnet exploration

  water cycle observation

3rd Grade

By third grade students can formulate answers to basic science questions. They make observations, conduct experiments and present what they learned

• Life Science: Animal structures and functions, ecosystems, food chains, and webs.

• Physical Science: Properties of matter, energy (light, heat, sound), and basic electrical circuits.

• Earth Science: Earth’s resources, weathering and erosion, natural disasters (volcanoes, earthquakes).

• Science Skills: Hypothesis-making, drawing conclusions, and using tools for measurement.

through hands-on activities, observations, discussions, and experiments students learn to engage with scientific concepts in a fun and interactive way.

Activities:

build a food web to show consumers and decomposers in the ecosystem

building an electric circuit

erosion simulation

Overview

Science for early elementary school is about encouraging curiosity, exploring the world, and learning through hands-on activities. Children learn through play, exploration, and creativity, and these experiences help them develop a positive attitude toward learning. They may not realize it yet, but this early introduction to science sets the foundation for more complex scientific ideas in later grades.

It's about getting kids excited to ask questions and discover how things work in their everyday lives!