Pacing Guide Science – 1st Grade
Grade
MONTH
August
2 weeks
*Nov.
2 weeks
*Feb.
2 weeks
*May
1 week
August
2 weeks
Sept.
2 weeks
First/Physical Science
STANDARDS AND ELEMENTS:
Weather & Climate
S1E1 Students will observe, measure, and
communicate weather data to see patterns
in weather and climate.
a. Identify different types of weather and the
characteristics of each type.
b. Investigate weather by observing,
measuring with simple weather instruments
(thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), &
recording weather data (temp., precipitation,
sky conditions, & weather events) in a periodic
journal or on a calendar seasonally.
c. Correlate weather data (temp.,
precipitation, sky conditions, & weather
events) to seasonal change.
Water
S1E2 Students will observe and record
changes in water as it relates to weather.
a. Recognize changes in water when it
freezes (ice) & when it melts (water).
b. Identify forms of precipitation such as rain,
snow, sleet, & hailstones as either solid (ice)
or liquid (water).
c. Determine that the weight of water before
freezing, after freezing, & after melting stays
the same.
d. Determine that water in an open container
disappears into the air over time, but water in
a closed container does not.
Science First Grade
SKILLS AND CONCEPTS
TERMS
VOCABULARY
Use simple weather
Temperature
instruments and observations Wind
to collect and chart weather
Precipitation
data in a periodic journal
Conditions
throughout the year.
Thermometer
(thermometer, wind vane, rain Thunderstorm
gauge)
Tornado
Read /listen to stories about
Hurricane
the weather and relate the
stories to observations.
Blow bubbles or make
pinwheels to observe the
winds direction and strength.
Use balances, observe and
record data.
ASSESSMENTS
Maintain a journal of
daily or weekly weather
observations. For
example, teachers will
set up a rain gauge
that could be monitored
after each day of rain
or students will observe
and record the weather
every Wednesday.
Allow a child to be a
Meteorologist for the
Day to observe and
report the weather
Tornado in a Bottle purchase tornado tube
to connect two 2-liter
bottles
Demonstrate phase
changes with ice, then
students write or draw
their understanding.
Set up an open
container of water and
a closed container of
water to demonstrate
evaporation. (1 open
bottle, 1 closed with
same amounts of
water)
In the morning, place a
piece of ice in one of
the balances and
Page 1
Sept –
Oct.
6 weeks
Nov. –
Dec.
4 weeks
Magnets
S1P2 Students will demonstrate effects of
magnets on other magnets and other
objects.
a. Demonstrate how magnets attract and
repel.
b. Identify common objects that are attracted
to a magnet.
c. Identify objects and materials (air, water,
wood, paper, your hand, etc.) that do not block
magnetic force.
Light/Shadows
S1P1 Students will investigate light and
sound.
a. Recognize sources of light.
b. Explain how shadows are made.
check every 30
minutes.
Set up centers in which
students can
experiment with
magnets.
AIMS activities
January
– Feb.
6 weeks
Sound
S1P1 Students will investigate light and
sound.
c. Investigate how vibrations produce sound.
d. Differentiate between various sounds in
terms of (pitch) high or low and (volume) loud
or soft.
e. Identify emergency sounds and sounds
that help us stay safe.
Students will
investigate palm pipes,
tuning forks, singing
voices, sirens,
ambulance sounds,
musical notes, and all
types of instruments.
March –
April
7 weeks
Plants & Animals
L1 Students will investigate the
characteristics and basic needs of plants
and animals.
a. Identify the basic needs of a plant.
1. Air
2. Water
3. Light
4. Nutrients
b. Identify the basic needs of an animal.
Teachers should have
a living organism in
their class (plant,
gerbil, or fish).
Science First Grade
This could be a good
class "science fair"
project for the students.
Page 2
May
1. Air
2. Water
3. Food
4. Shelter
c. Identify the parts of a plant – root, stem,
leaf, & flower.
d. Compare & describe various animals –
appearance, motion, growth, basic needs.
Review for 2nd Grade
Science First Grade
Page 3