Each unit, available in both print and digital formats, addresses the Next Generation Science Standards and interweaves each element of three-dimensional learning

 

Solids, Liquids, and Gases

The Solids, Liquids, and Gases topic opens children’s eyes to the materials around them and the way things change. During this topic, the children:

• Learn about the properties of objects, such as size, weight, color, and texture. 
• Identify the different materials that make up common objects, and think about the properties that make each material useful. 
• Discover that different objects can be made from the same set of pieces. 
• Identify solids, liquids, and gases in their own environment. 
• Compare different materials to explore the properties that help us classify things as solids or liquids. 
• Explore how water (and other things) can change from a liquid to a solid, and back to a liquid—over and over. 
• Discover that some changes caused by cooling and heating are reversible, and other changes are irreversible.

 

Diversity in Habitats

The Diversity in Habitats topic encourages children to observe the amazing diversity of life around us and think about the relationships between the organisms found within them. During this topic, the children:

• Identify a habitat as the place where an organism can satisfy its survival needs. 
• Explore the ways that different organisms survive in their habitats. 
• Discover the diversity of life in different habitats. 
• Experiment with pea seeds to test how much light and water they need to survive. 
• Model relationships between plants and animals.

 

Land, Water, and Wind

The Land, Water, and Wind topic encourages children to develop a view of the earth’s surface as dynamic and constantly changing. During this topic, the children:

• Discover some of the landforms and bodies of water that make up Earth’s surface . 
• Build models of landforms and bodies of water . 
• Examine and create maps that identify where different landforms and bodies of water are located . 
• Explore how water and wind change the shape of land . 
• Design solutions to prevent water and wind erosion . 
• Observe how some changes to Earth’s surface are quick, while most other changes take place over a long period of time.