10 Major Science Themes/Ideas/Concepts Ben Harp and Makenzie Weldon

1. Weather a. Weather is something that primary students notice. Its something that they experience on a daily basis. Knowing different weather patterns and the effects of the sun can be enhanced through observations, graphing, stories and more. b. The Ohio Academic Grade 1 Content Standards state that the students should be taught that the sun is a source of energy and energy changes that occur to land, air and water. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 25) Another standard falls under the Kindergarten standards and states that students should be taught about weather and weather changes. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 5) c. Examples of lessons that can be done are mathematical graphing of the different weather patterns throughout the day, planting something and seeing the weathers effect on it, or using 2-Liter bottles to create tornadoes. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include Oh Say Can You Say Whats the Weather Today? or The Kids Book of Weather

Forecasting.

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Plants/ Plant Reproduction a. Learning about plants is important because students experience plants on a daily basis. Its important to know what plants are safe to eat, good for the environment and which plants are bad. b. The Ohio Academic Grade 1 Content Standards state that the students should be taught about the basic needs of living things (including air, water, and shelter). This standard goes into detail explaining the importance of plant growth, and although the reproduction isnt mentioned, its important that students know how plants come alive. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 35) c. Examples of lessons that can be done are the planting of different plants and observing their growth. A trip to a local nature park or flower shop can help expose students to the important components of plant life and the importance that plants have on our lives. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include I am a Leaf or

Oh Say can you Seed?

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Animals/Animal Characteristics a. Obviously, animal and animal characteristics are an interest and an area of importance for primary students. Students can be curious about pets, marine life, or wild animals. An education of these can help students gain a better understanding of ecosystems. This can also be correlated with plant life and the importance of it. b. The Ohio Academic Grade 3Science Content Standards state that students should be taught about the physical and behavioral traits of living things which affect the living things ability to survive and reproduce. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 85) c. Examples of lessons that can be done are trips to the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery (or the Boonshoft even does classroom visits with animals), a trip to a zoo, research projects about a students favorite animal, or watching movies and observing the behaviors/diet of a particular animal. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include Animals Should Definitely Not be Wearing Clothing or For Animal Lovers. e. Note: Obviously the reproduction of animals can be graphic. Keep in mind that its important to be informative, but appropriate.

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Motion/Shifts of Energy a. Primary students may be curious about the movement of objects, including their own bodies. With information pertaining to their personal being, its important to be thorough. Gravity is important, but can also be a fun topic of learning. b. The Ohio Academic Grade 1 Science Standards state that students should be taught the changes of properties of objects and materials. It also says that they should be taught that the result of this is from a pushing or a pulling. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 39) The Kindergarten standards also state that students should be taught properties of objects (this can affect the motion of the object). (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 17) c. Some examples of lesson ideas include dropping of a paper clip vs. a ball (gravity is the same for all solid objects), and reading/learning about Newtons three laws of motion. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include Motion: Push, Pull, Fast and Slow or Move It! Motion Forces and You.

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Matter/States of Matter a. Learning about solids, liquids, and gases can be very interesting and fun for primary students. Teaching students about the states of matter can help them integrate this information at home. (freezing beverages, melting something, etc.) Just think how impressed parents will be if their child talks about the three states of matter at home! b. The Ohio Academic Grade 3 Science Standards state that students should be taught about matter, the states of matter, and heats effect on these states of matter. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 88) c. Some lesson ideas pertaining to this topic include observations within freezing/melting a liquid, observing the evaporation of water over time, or playing games discussing how much heat is needed to melt something. (Safety first, of course) d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include The Solid Truth about States of Matter with Max Axiom or Werewolves and

States of Matter.

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Outer Space a. Primary students can show great interest in space. Space is not only the planets and their alignment, outer space includes star formations, the sun and moon and their effect on Earth, and the rotation of everything around the sun. Its important that students know the correct information and how the moon and sun can affect their daily lives. b. The Ohio Academic Kindergarten Standards state that students should be taught about patterns in the sky, and weather changes. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 8) The fifth grade standards also state that students should be taught about cycles and patterns within our solar system. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 130) c. There are many different integrated lessons you can do with this. You can relate time to this by the moving of the sun, you could keep this strictly science by teaching the properties of planets and starts, or the students can create a song that helps them remember the order of the planets. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include Theres No Place like Space: All about our Solar System or Whats Out There: A

Book about Space.

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Habitats/Interactions between Habitats a. With the education of animals and plants, its important to recognize the environment and habitat that these organisms have/interact with. As a living organism, its beneficial to know about the certain habitats that could affect human health. b. The Ohio Academic Content Grade 2 Science Standards state that students should be taught about how the environment and particular habitats affect living organisms. It also discusses how the interaction within these habitats can affect an organism. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 56) c. Some lesson activities for habitats include walking trips through the woods to observe the habitats of woodland creatures. Research projects of the desert and oceans could be interesting, especially when the student has to present it to the class. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include The ABCs of Habitats or The Magic School Bus Hops Home: A Book about Animal

Habitats.

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Ecosystems a. Students should know the importance of ecosystems because they are a part of a food chain themselves. Learning about ecosystems teaches students the importance of the circle of life and food. b. The Ohio Academic Content Grade 5 Science Standards state that students should be taught the importance and functions of ecosystems. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 139) The Kindergarten standards also state that students should be taught about living things in Ohio. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 11) c. Examples of lessons that can be incorporated with ecosystems include creating a food chain within a particular habitat, or doing a research project about ecosystems. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include Exploring Ecosystems with Max Axiom: Super Scientist or What if there are no

Bees?

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Human Anatomy/Nutrition/Health a. This is an important concept to teach because it directly correlates with the students. Learning about their growth can help the students make wise decisions pertaining to nutrition and positive health practices. It's important to be inclusive, but nonjudgmental for any students with health/weight issues. b. The Ohio Academic Content Grade 3 Science Standards state that students should be taught about living organisms (including themselves) behavior and growth traits. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 79) The Kindergarten standards also state that students should be observing living things in Ohio. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 11) c. Examples of lesson ideas can be teaching the song about bones (the hip bone is connected to the..bone). This would be a perfect subject to incorporate proper heating habits and the MyPlate information. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include A Monster

Health Book: A Guide to Eating Healthy, Being Active, and Feeling Great for Monsters and Kids! or My Amazing Body.

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Rocks/Minerals a. Students more than likely see rocks on a daily basis. A common misconception is that some rocks may actually be a composition of minerals, not just solid rock. Students can fully appreciate the development of a rock by the converging of minerals when they are taught properly. b. The Ohio Academic Content Grade 3 Standards state that students should be taught about rocks, soil, minerals, and the energy required producing them. (ODE Content Standards: Science: Pg. 75) c. Some examples of lesson ideas include the collection of rocks/minerals and classifying them. Students can also observe the different properties of the rock/mineral and decide what composes it. d. Sample books for integrated literacy activities include Rocks and Minerals or Pocket Genius: Rocks and Minerals.