1st Grade Lesson Resources
Inquiry:
First grade students start the year exploring “magic sand” available through Steve Spangler Science. The sand has interesting characteristics that allow it to keep its shape in water and once the water is drained, it comes out of the container dry. This activity engages the students in the inquiry and exploration process, describing what they are observing and discovering.
Life Science
Students learn about the life cycle of a butterfly through the observation of Monarch Butterflies in the lab. We have live caterpillars that we observe turning into a chrysalis and emerging as a Monarch butterfly. At the end of the year, first grade students observe the life cycles of chickens and ducks as we have eggs in incubators until they hatch. Students observe the differences between the chicks and ducklings as we keep them in the lab for two to three weeks and watch their development. In addition to life cycles, first grade students learn about plant and animal behaviors and adaptations that help them to survive.
iPad Apps:
Flip It - Students show life cycle of a chicken.
Show Me - Take picture of plant and label parts.
Drawing Box - Students draw plants with their adaptations in the habitat they would survive
Physical Science
Students focus on the physical science concepts of sound and light. They learn about vibration through exploratory centers and discover where the loudest area of our school is located using the app, Decibel 10th. With the data collected, graphs are made to compare the information and draw conclusions. With light, students learn about transparent, translucent, and opaque objects and engineer a light path using mirrors and flashlights.
iPad Apps:
Decibel 10th
Flashlight
Earth and Space Science
Students explore how the sun affects the Earth and how the length of the day affects the Earth’s surface temperature. They participate in an exploration and mathematical display of the different lengths of day through the seasons and draw conclusions from their discoveries. They also learn about the water cycle in preparation for the energy unit.
Engineering
First Graders have engineering projects throughout the science lessons but they also participate in an independent engineering project in which they design a tool that can travel on a zipline and carry a marble safely down the zipline. Some of the engineering projects are listed here:
- Zipline carrier
- Create a path for light to travel
- Solar water heater
- Shelter for living things from weather elements
- Marshmallow Towers
- Communicate with sound only
- Balloon rockets
Energy Unit
After learning about the sun and its effects on Earth, students learn more about solar energy and how we can use it as a renewable source of power. First graders are challenged to create a solar water heater after learning about insulation and applying knowledge from the lessons on light and the sun.