Web Resources Supporting the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum

Topic
A. Scientific Inquiry

Indicator
1. Seek information through observation and exploration.

a. Use their senses to observe and gather information from scientifically accurate resources and investigations.

b.Use descriptive language to discuss scientific information collected from resources and investigations.

c. Use scientific information collected to assist in making further discoveries.

Indicator
2. Explore materials and natural phenomena.

Objectives

a. Use their senses to observe and explore materials and natural phenomena.

b. Ask questions about observations and explorations.

Indicator
3. Use observations to make predictions about what may occur.

Objectives

a. Recognize that information collected from observations and scientific investigations can be used to make a prediction.

Indicator
5 Follow safety rules when participating in an investigation or exploration.

Objectives

a. Observe, describe and use safe procedures for conducting investigations or explorations:

• Wearing eye protection, plastic gloves, and smocks
• Using science equipment and materials appropriately
• Following oral directions
• Using senses in appropriate and safe way

Indicator
6. Use numbers and units when counting or measuring objects.

Objectives

a. Use appropriate numbers when orally counting objects.

b. Use appropriate non-standard units when measuring an object's weight, length, and height.

Indicator
7. Use senses and simple tools/ equipment to gather data.

Objectives

a. Use simple tools, such as eyedroppers, balances, simple microscopes and other magnifiers to collect data.

b. Describe data collected on charts, tables, and picture graphs.

Indicator
8. Compare data using observations, charts, or graphs.

Objectives

a. Recognize likenesses and differences in data collected through observations and investigations.

b. Recognize likenesses and differences in data displayed on charts or picture graphs.

Indicator
9. Communicate findings from observations and investigations.

Objectives

a. Use oral language and/or drawing to describe observations and results of investigations.

Topic
B. Critical Thinking

Indicator
1.Identify similarities and differences among objects and materials.

Objective

a. Use their senses to explore objects and materials.

b. Recognize that objects and materials are alike in some ways and different in some ways.

c. Describe orally the likenesses and differences among objects and materials.

Indicator
2. Group objects according to properties.

Objectives

a. Recognize the attributes and functions of objects.

b. Use attributes and functions of objects to group those that are alike.

c. Use attributes and functions of objects to classify those that are alike.

Indicator
3. Identify patterns found in the natural environment.

Objectives

a. Use their senses to recognize and describe the repeated sequences found in nature, such as design (stripes on a zebra), sounds (tapping of a woodpecker), and events (day/night).

Topic
C. Applications of Science

Indicator
1. Use scientific knowledge to solve everyday, science-related problems.

Objective

a. Use prior knowledge and investigations to solve a given problem, such as determining appropriate clothing based on weather observations.

Topic
D. Technology

Indicator
1. Identify models of real objects.

Objectives

a. Identify models of real objects, such as toy trucks, toy kitchen appliances, dolls, and stuffed animals.

b. Match models of objects to the real object they represent.

Indicator
2. Identify tools used to observe and measure.

Objectives

a. Recognize and explore tools that are used to make observations, such as hand lenses, binoculars, simple microscopes, other magnifiers, and stethoscopes.

b. Recognize and explore tools that are used to make measurements, such as rulers, tape measures, bathroom scales, balances, and measuring cups.

Indicator
3. Construct objects with simple tools using a variety of materials.

Objectives

a. Demonstrate skills, such as cutting, pouring, and fastening necessary to make things.

b. Describe orally objects they constructed.

Topic
E. History of Science

Indicator
1. Recognize that everyone can do science and invent things.

Objectives

a. Investigate and explore science concepts.

Topic
A. Materials and Processes That Shape A Planet

Indicator
1. Identify and describe Earth materials based on their physical properties.

Objectives

a. Observe and describe soils, rocks, and water by using their senses of sight and touch and magnifying instruments.

b. Identify similarities and differences in the Earth materials they observed.

c. Describe types of soil and various rocks using the physical properties of texture, size, and color.

Topic
D. Astronomy

Indicator
4. Identify the celestial objects that are visible in the sky.

Objectives

a. Identify and describe the sun, moon, and stars.

Topic
E. Interactions of Hydrosphere and Atmosphere

Indicator
3. Describe the weather using observations.

Objectives

a. Observe and describe the weather using their senses.

Indicator
4. Describe weather changes.

Objectives

a. Observe and compare weather changes from day to day using their senses.

b. Observe and compare weather changes from month to month using their senses.

Topic
A. Cellular

Indicator
1. Recognize living and non-living things.

Objectives

a. Recognize and describe living things.

b. Recognize and describe non-living things.

Topic
B. Genetics

Indicator
1. Observe and describe familiar animals and their offspring.

Objectives

a. Observe and describe the similarities and differences among familiar animals and their offspring.

b. Describe how offspring are like their parents.

Topic
A. Properties of Matter

Indicator
1.Use senses to identify the similar and different physical properties of familiar objects.

Objectives

a. Use their senses to identify similarities of objects, such as size, shape, color, texture, and weight.

b. Use their senses to identify differences of objects, such as size, shape, color, texture, and weight.

Topic
A. Mechanics

Indicator
1. Identify the different ways that objects move.

Objectives

a. Observe and describe various ways that objects move.

• Straight
• Round and round

b. Identify and describe the change in direction of an object.

• Back and forth
• Zig zag

Topic
B. Thermodynamics

Indicator
1.Recognize that the sun warms the land, air, and water.

Objectives

a. Recognize and describe changes in temperature of the land, air, and water before and after the sun warms them.

Topic
D. Wave Interactions

Indicator
2. Recognize that different objects make different sounds.

Objecitves

a. Identify sounds made by objects, such as drums, bells, rhythm sticks, and their voices.