Grade 1 Learning Goals
Science: Materials, Objects and Everyday Structures
Studies show that students perform better in school when their parents1 are involved in
their education. Parents who are familiar with the curriculum expectations know what is
being taught in each grade and what their child is expected to learn. With such
information, parents can better understand how their child is progressing in school and
can work with teachers to improve their child's learning.
-The Ontario Curriculum: Science and Technology, 2007
Learning Goals: Science Strand: Understanding Structures & Mechanisms
1 Relating Science and Technology
We will identify waste from our classroom
We will make a plan to help our class reduce waste
We will follow our plan to help reduce waste in our classroom
We will think about objects that are made for the same reason
We will think about what happens to objects when we no longer need them
2 Developing Investigation and Communication Skills
We will follow safety rules during our science investigations
We will use our senses to investigate materials
We will design, build and test a structure
We will use new science words when we communicate by talking or writing
We will communicate our findings in many ways
3. Understanding Basic Concepts
We will describe objects as things that are made of one or more materials
We will describe structures as supporting frameworks
We will describe materials as the substances from what something is made
We will identify the materials that make up objects and structures
We will use our senses to help us describe the purpose of some characteristics of objects and structures
We will identify objects, structures and materials that come from nature
We will identify objects, structures and materials that are made by humans
We will describe the characteristics of materials that allow objects and structures to work properly
We will list different kinds of fasteners and describe the uses of them
We will identify the sources in nature of some materials
Home Connections
Here are a list of suggested activities, that you can do at home, to help consolidate your child’s learning at school:
* identify various types of waste generated by your family (e.g. food scraps, paper towels, plastic bags)
* make a plan to reduce your family’s waste and involve your child in preparing for garbage pick-up by having them sort materials,
that are no longer needed, into appropriate recycle bins
* gather a variety of objects from your home and ask your child what material(s) make up that object
* have fun playing games that encourage your child to use their 5 senses (e.g. objects placed in a mystery bag that they need to touch
and guess what they are; blindfold your child as have them use their sense of taste to identify a variety of foods)
Many thanks,
Mrs. J. Smith 