What are we doing in science this quarter?

Kindergarten

As we begin our first formal science classes, we observe how matter appears by using our five senses, and  from our observations arrive at an understanding of how matter behaves.  We begin by comparing and contrasting the appearance and behavior of objects of different shapes, tying into the study of shapes in their classroom.  The children are free to explore in their own way.  They spin cup, bounce balls, roll squares...yes, I said that they will roll squares...and have fun discovering.  We gradually add more objects and compare and contrast their appearance and behavior.

Our main objective in kindergarten, as in all the grades, is to provide an environment where exploration and discovery can be carried out in a controlled setting.  The children will not only continue the discovery and learning that the curiosity of a child makes so easy, but will be able to verbalize what they notice and make the connections to their observations that will help them explain their world to themselves.

First Grade

In the beginning of the year, we delve more deeply into how our five senses, or as the children have called them through the years, our five knowing things or our five noticing things, gather and deliver information.  We learn in depth, the anatomy and the physiology of our eyes, ears, nose, taste buds, and skin, and explore the chemistry and physics of the stimuli that give information to these sense organs.

Second Grade

We begin the year by studying the composition and layers of the Earth.  We see how materials that make up the crust of the Earth arrange themselves in layers based upon their densities.  We investigate what we might find on the crust that would tell us about the Earth's geologic history and what might have lived on the Earth in the past from fossil evidence.  Once we become familiar with Earth, we compare our home in the solar system to our neighbor planets and what lies beyond.

Third Grade

We begin by looking at the travelers and explorers who are responsible for spreading life throughout the world, the seeds.  This study leads us to an investigation of plant anatomy and plant behavior...yes, behavior, learning how plants move, grow and in general react to their environment.  We see how the adaptation of being "spicy" not only protects a plant from being eaten, but also contributed to the quests of the early human travelers and explorers.  With this knowledge as a basis, we look at plant uses, not only as food but also as products that enhance our lives and the lives of those who lived before us in Orange County.

Fourth Grade

We begin our with a study of the natural history of California, the land formations and geology and the rocky coastlines and the mountains, that are a result of our being in a very geologically active area, but also result in our living in a state of beauty and diversity.  We learn about the local mountains, the unusual geology of Dana Point, and the flora and fauna that add to the diversity of the area.  A two-part field trip to Caspers Park and Dana Point harbor and tide pools allows us to see first hand the diversity and unique treasures of our part of the world.

Fifth Grade

This is the year of water.  As we study the chemistry and physics of water, we learn why it is one of the most amazing chemicals on earth (and what it has to do with Mickey Mouse).  We begin our study by using the technique of chromatography to learn about mixtures and solvents.  We explain the behavior of water by studying its chemical composition and the forces that shape water drops and snowflakes.  As we come to a better understanding of the nature of water and the water molecule, we will carry this study into an examination of how water behaves on Earth and the role it plays in the biodiversity of our planet.

I will update this page periodically, but if you would like more detail, please email me, or just stop by and visit.

Last updated, September 11, 2008