Scientific and Engineering Practices

  • 1.

    The student will demonstrate an understanding of scientific and engineering practices byK.1

    1. a.

      asking questions and defining problemsK.1.a

      1. i.

        ask questions based on observationsK.1.a.i

      2. ii.

        identify a problem based on needK.1.a.ii

      3. iii.

        make predictions based on observationsK.1.a.iii

    2. b.

      planning and carrying out investigationsK.1.b

      1. i.

        make observations to collect dataK.1.b.i

      2. ii.

        identify characteristics and properties of objects through observationsK.1.b.ii

      3. iii.

        measure the relative length and weight of common objectsK.1.b.iii

      4. iv.

        record information from investigationsK.1.b.iv

    3. c.

      interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating dataK.1.c

      1. i.

        describe patternsK.1.c.i

      2. ii.

        classify and/or sequence objects based on a single physical characteristic or propertyK.1.c.ii

      3. iii.

        organize and represent dataK.1.c.iii

      4. iv.

        read and interpret data in object graphs, picture graphs, and tablesK.1.c.iv

    4. d.

      constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanationsK.1.d

      1. i.

        make simple conclusions based on data or observationsK.1.d.i

    5. e.

      developing and using modelsK.1.e

      1. i.

        distinguish between a model and an actual objectK.1.e.i

    6. f.

      obtaining, evaluating, and communicating informationK.1.f

      1. i.

        communicate comparative measures (e.g., heavier, lighter, longer, shorter, more, less, hotter, colder)K.1.f.i

      2. ii.

        communicate observations using pictures, drawings, and/or speechK.1.f.ii

Force, Motion, and Energy

  • 2.

    The student will investigate and understand that pushes and pulls affect the motion of objects. Key ideas includeK.2

  • a.

    pushes and pulls can cause an object to move;K.2.a

  • b.

    pushes and pulls can change the direction of an object; andK.2.b

  • c.

    changes in motion are related to the strength of the push or pull.K.2.c

Matter

  • 3.

    The student will investigate and understand that physical properties of an object can be described. Properties includeK.3

  • a.

    colors;K.3.a

  • b.

    shapes and forms;K.3.b

  • c.

    textures and feel; andK.3.c

  • d.

    relative sizes and weights of objects.K.3.d

  • 4.

    The student will investigate and understand that water is important in our daily lives and has properties. Key ideas includeK.4

  • a.

    water has many uses;K.4.a

  • b.

    water can be found in many places;K.4.b

  • c.

    water occurs in different phases; andK.4.c

  • d.

    water flows downhill.K.4.d

Living Systems and Processes

  • 5.

    The students will investigate and understand that senses allow humans to seek, find, take in, and react or respond to different information. Key ideas includeK.5

  • a.

    the five basic senses correspond to specific human body structures; andK.5.a

  • b.

    senses are used in our daily lives.K.5.b

  • 6.

    The student will investigate and understand that there are differences between living organisms and nonliving objects. Key ideas includeK.6

  • a.

    all things can be classified as living or nonliving; andK.6.a

  • b.

    living organisms have certain characteristics that distinguish them from nonliving objects.K.6.b

  • 7.

    The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals have basic needs and life processes. Key ideas includeK.7

  • a.

    living things need adequate food, water, shelter, air, and space to survive;K.7.a

  • b.

    plants and animals have life cycles; andK.7.b

  • c.

    offspring of plants and animals are similar but not identical to their parents or to one another.K.7.c

Earth and Space Systems

  • 8.

    The student will investigate and understand that light influences temperature on Earth's surfaces and can cause shadows. Key ideas includeK.8

  • a.

    the sun provides light and warms Earth's surface;K.8.a

  • b.

    shadows can be produced when sunlight or artificial light is blocked by an object; andK.8.b

  • c.

    objects in shadows and objects in sunlight have different temperatures.K.8.c

  • 9.

    The student will investigate and understand that there are patterns in nature. Key patterns includeK.9

  • a.

    daily weather;K.9.a

  • b.

    seasonal changes; andK.9.b

  • c.

    day and night.K.9.c

  • 10.

    The student will investigate and understand that change occurs over time. Key ideas includeK.10

  • a.

    natural and human-made things change over time;K.10.a

  • b.

    living and nonliving things change over time;K.10.b

  • c.

    changes can be observed and measured; andK.10.c

  • d.

    changes may be fast or slow.K.10.d

Earth Resources

  • 11.

    The student will investigate and understand that humans use resources. Key ideas includeK.11

  • a.

    some materials and objects can be used over and over again;K.11.a

  • b.

    materials can be recycled; andK.11.b

  • c.

    choices we make impact the air, water, land and living things.K.11.c

Frequently asked questions

What grade levels do these standards cover?
Kindergarten
When were these standards adopted?
2018
Where can I read the official document?
Virginia Science Standards of Learning