Curriculum

Children will understand that all living things grow, change, and go through life cycles. They will learn about the life cycle of plants by observing how a plant grows and changes over time. For example, children will see that a plant starts as a seed, then sprouts into a small plant, and eventually grows into a mature plant with leaves, flowers, or fruits.

Children will investigate and understand that plants have basic life needs and functional parts and can be classified according to certain characteristics. Plants need nutrients, air, water, light, and a place to grow.

Children will be able to recognize and name the five senses and the body parts that help us with each sense: eyes for seeing, nose for smelling, mouth for tasting, ears for hearing, and skin for touching. They will start to understand that these senses help us explore the world around us. For example, they will learn that eyes help us see things like toys and colors, the nose helps us smell flowers and food, the mouth helps us taste yummy snacks, the ears help us hear sounds like music and voices, and the skin helps us feel things like soft blankets or cold water

Children will develop a basic understanding of where various animals live. They will observe and explore a variety of plants and animals and their environments, such as rabbits, birds, ladybugs, hermit crabs, eggs, butterflies, and bugs in the garden.

Children will explore the human skeletal system and its functions. They will discover the different bones of the system, learn how many bones are in the human body, and understand the role of bones and joints in movement. Through hands-on activities and observations, children will learn how the skeletal system supports the body and enables movement, providing protection for various organs.

Children will be able to identify the five senses and their corresponding sense organs: eyes for seeing, nose for smelling, mouth for tasting, ears for hearing, and skin for touching. They will begin to understand how these senses work together to help us explore and understand our environment. For example, they will learn that eyes help us see pictures and colors, the nose helps us smell flowers and food, the mouth helps us taste different flavors, the ears help us hear sounds and music, and the skin helps us feel if things are soft, hard, hot, or cold.

Children will make observations at different times of the year to understand how the amount of daylight changes with the seasons. They will learn to compare the amount of daylight during the winter to the amount in the spring or fall. For example, children will notice that the days are shorter and there is less daylight in the winter, while in the spring and fall, the days are longer with more daylight.

Children will use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. They will learn that all living things need water to live, and that animals need to take in food while plants do not. Children will understand that different types of animals need different kinds of food, and that plants require light to grow.

Children will make observations to understand that young plants and animals are similar to, but not exactly like, their parents. They will learn to notice patterns and features that plants or animals share with their parents. For example, children will see that leaves from the same kind of plant have the same shape but can be different sizes. They will also observe that a particular breed of dog looks like its parents but is not exactly the same.

Children will begin to distinguish between living and non-living things. They will learn to identify characteristics that define living things, such as the ability to grow, change, and move, as well as needing food and water. For example, children will understand that a plant is a living thing because it grows and needs water, while a rock is non-living because it doesn't grow or need food. Through observation and discussion, children will understand the differences between living and non-living things in their environment.