2-PS1-1

SCUSD NGSS Curriculum Guide


 * 2-PS1-1: Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties. ** [Clarification Statement: Observations could include color, texture, hardness, and flexibility. Patterns could include the similar properties that different materials share.]

Science Background for the Teacher:
A full 5-step scientific investigation may not be necessary at this point; instead, activities like sorting items by their properties. Depending on the level of the students, teachers can do whole class investigations or small group. There are three main states of matter: solids, liquids, gases. Solids have definite shapes and are made up of particles. Powders are solids even though they can poured; the individual grains of sand are individual solids. Liquids take the shape of the container that they are in. Gas spreads out to fill a container in all directions. Molecules are not discussed at this grade band.

Key Vocabulary:

 * properties || investigation || translucent || opaque ||
 * texture || color || hardness || flexible ||
 * transparent || rigid || soft || rough ||
 * smooth || solid || liquid || gas ||
 * bubbly || viscous || observe || pointed ||
 * cylinder || sort || absorbency || engineer ||
 * magnetic/ non-magnetic || classify || foamy || colorless ||
 * states of matter || matter ||  ||   ||

Possible Assessments (formative and/or summative):
Give each student a bag of different objects and have them sort the objects by their properties. Have students go around the room and identify what property different students sorted their objects by. (formative)

Give students pictures on a page to sort and write a sentence about the properties by which they are sorted. (summative)

Give students a cup with powder in it and have them identify the properties and state of matter. Have them add liquid and identify the properties and state of matter. Freeze it and repeat. Let it melt and repeat.

Key Student Activity:
"Sorting Circle" FOSS Grade 1, Investigation 1 Part 1 & 2 ( Give each student a bag of different objects and have them sort the objects by their properties. Have students go around the room and identify what property different students sorted their objects by.)

"Liquids" FOSS Grade 1, Investigation 2 Part 1 & 2 (Identifying properties of liquids in a bottle)

Key Teacher Demo/Activity:
Introducing what an investigation is: make sure that we are starting with a question. Example: Brainstorm with students how we know something is___? What can you do to find out if something is__ ___?

"Introduce Solids" FOSS Grade 2 Investigation 1 (Ziplock bags filed with air, a solid, a liquid. Identify states of matter. Describe to teacher the properties that describe the states of matter.)

Common Student Misconceptions:
Observations are only made with the 5 senses (you are inferring that the bag is full of air, not observing it). There is a thought process.

Things to Avoid/Correct:
Avoid molecules. Solids can be small like powders and sand.

Other Resources (text, video, simulations, activities, models, etc..):
AMES "Float or sink?"

"Solids and Liquids with Water" Grade 1 Investigation 4 (you will use this also in PS1.A-2 for analyzing data)