IRC VBCPS SOL - Science

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
1.1	The student will conduct investigations in which differences in physical properties are observed using the senses; simple tools are used to enhance observations; objects or events are classified and arranged according to attributes or properties; observations and data are communicated orally and with simple graphs, pictures, written statements, and numbers; length, mass, and volume are measured using standard and nonstandard units; predictions are based on patterns of observation rather than random guesses; simple experiments are conducted to answer questions; and inferences are made and conclusions are drawn about familiar objects and events.
Force, Motion, and Energy
1.2	The student will investigate and understand that moving objects exhibit different kinds of motion.� Key concepts include objects may have straight, circular, and back and forth motions; objects may vibrate and produce sound; pushes or pulls can change the movement of an object; and the motion of objects may be observed in toys and in playground activities.
Matter
1.3	The student will investigate and understand how different common materials interact with water.� Key concepts include some liquids will separate when mixed with water, others will not; some common solids will dissolve in water, others will not; and some substances will dissolve more readily in hot water than in cold water.
Life Processes
1.4	The student will investigate and understand that plants have life needs and functional parts and can be classified according to certain characteristics.� Key concepts include needs (food, air, water, light, and a place to grow); parts (seeds, roots, stems, leaves, blossoms, fruits); and characteristics (edible/nonedible, flowering/nonflowering, evergreen/deciduous).
1.5	The student will investigate and understand that animals, including people, have life needs and specific physical characteristics and can be classified according to certain characteristics.� Key concepts include life needs (air, food, water, and a suitable place to live); physical characteristics (body coverings, body shape, appendages, and methods of movement); and other characteristics (wild/tame, water homes/land homes).
Interrelationships in Earth/Space Systems
1.6	The student will investigate and understand the basic relationships between the sun and the Earth.� Key concepts include the sun is the source of heat and light that warms the land, air, and water; and night and day are caused by the rotation of the Earth.
Earth Patterns, Cycles, and Change
1.7	The student will investigate and understand the relationship of seasonal change and weather to the activities and life processes of plants and animals. Key concepts include how temperature, light, and precipitation bring about changes in plants (growth, budding, falling leaves, and wilting); animals (behaviors, hibernation, migration, body covering, and habitat); and people (dress, recreation, and work).
Resources
1.8	The student will investigate and understand that natural resources are limited.� Key concepts include identification of natural resources (plants and animals, water, air, land, minerals, forests, and soil); factors that affect air and water quality; and recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption of natural resources.

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