Overview
1st Trimester
States of Matter - The main goal of this unit was to explore the properties of solids, liquids and gases. As a class we read books on the states of matter and discussed their properties. Students created poster and conducted experiments. Some of the experiments included changing shapes using play-doh, measuring liquids, and mixing different states of matter to create new ones.
Turtle Difference - In preparation for their field trip to Punalu`u, students read and learned about ocean turtles. We read a story about two different species of turtles and their characteristics. They learned differences between a green-sea turtle and a hawksbill turtle. Students discussed and drew how the turtles can be harmed. We also watched some wonderful video clips about the Punalu`u area.
2nd Trimester
Living vs. Non-Living – What’s the difference between living and non-living tings? Just ask the first graders. They learned early in the trimester that living things can change and grow on its own, needs food and water. They practiced this concept by sorting objects into groups of living and non-living objects.
SBCP Writing in Science – This year the first graders are working on information writing. In science, they are practicing informational writing by participating in an experiment and writing and drawing their observations.
Plants – In taking learning about plants to the next level, the first graders looked at the jobs of the plant parts. They conducted experiments to see first hand how each part of the plant has a special and important job in order for the plant to grow and be health. Activities included planting and taking care of their own pea plant, watching a pea grow inside of a ziplock (which did not work but they learned that not all experiments work the way we want them too), and colored celery, which they observed how stem take up water up to the leaves.
