Science Benchmarks
SCIENCE – GRADE 5
Report Card Indicators | Earth Science | Physical Science | Life Science |
---|---|---|---|
MP #1 | MP #2 | MP #3 | |
Obtains, evaluates, and communicates information | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning.
5-ESS1-2Represent data in graphical displays to reveal patterns of daily changes in the appearance of some stars in the night sky. | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning.
5-PS1-3Make observations and measurements to identify materials based on their properties. | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning.
5-ESS3-1Obtain and combine information about ways individual communities use science ideas to protect the Earth’s resources and environment. |
Plans and carries out investigations using models | 5-ESS2-1Develop a model using an example to describe ways the geosphere, biosphere, hydrosphere, and/or atmosphere interact. | 5-PS1-1 Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen.
5-PS1-4Conduct an investigation to determine whether the mixing of two or more substances results in new substances.
| 5-LS2-1Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.
5-PS3-1Use models to describe that energy in animals’ food (used for body repair, growth, motion, and to maintain body warmth) was once energy from the sun. |
Uses data/evidence to construct explanations and designs solutions | 5-ESS1-1Support an argument that differences in the apparent brightness of the sun compared to other stars is due to their relative distances from Earth.
5-ESS2-2Describe and graph the amounts of saltwater and freshwater in various reservoirs to provide evidence about the distribution of water on Earth.
5-PS2-1Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down. | 5-PS1-2Measure and graph quantities to provide evidence that regardless of the type of change that occurs when heating, cooling, or mixing substances, the total weight of matter is conserved. | 5-LS1-1Support an argument that plants get the materials they need for growth chiefly from air and water. |
Asks questions and defines problems | 3-5-ETS1-2Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. | 3-5-ETS1-1Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. | 3-5-ETS1-3Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved. |
SCIENCE – GRADE 4
Report Card Indicators | Earth Science | Physical Science | Life Science |
---|---|---|---|
MP #1 | MP #2 | MP #3 | |
Obtains, evaluates, and communicates information | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning.
4-ESS3-1Obtain and combine information to describe that energy and fuels are derived from natural resources and their uses affect the environment. | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning. | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning. |
Plans and carries out investigations using models | 4-ESS3-2Generate and compare multiple solutions to reduce the impacts of natural Earth processes on humans. | 4-PS3-4Apply scientific ideas to design, test, and refine a device that converts energy from one form to another.
4-PS4-1Develop a model of waves to describe patterns in terms of amplitude and wavelength and that waves can cause objects to move
3-5-ETS1-3Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved. | 4-LS1-2Use a model to describe that animals receive different types of information through their senses, process the information in their brain, and respond to the information in different ways.
4-PS4-2Develop a model to describe that light reflecting from objects and entering the eye allows objects to be seen.
3-5-ETS1-3Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved. |
Uses data/evidence to construct explanations and designs solutions | 4-ESS1-1Identify evidence from patterns in rock formations and fossils in rock layers to support an explanation for changes in a landscape over time.
4-ESS2-1Make observations and/or measurements to provide evidence of the effects of weathering or the rate of erosion by water, ice, wind, or vegetation.
4-ESS2-2Analyze and interpret data from maps to describe patterns of Earth’s features. | 4-PS3-1Use evidence to conduct an explanation relating the speed of an object to the energy of that object.
4-PS3-2Make observations to provide evidence that energy can be transferred from place to place by sound, light, heat, and electric currents.
4-PS4-3Generate and compare multiple solutions that use patterns to transfer information. | 4-LS1-1Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
3-5-ETS1-2Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. |
Asks questions and defines problems | 3-5-ETS1-1Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. | 4-PS3-3Ask questions and predict outcomes about the changes in energy that occur when objects collide.
3-5 -ETS1-1Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. | 3-5-ETS1-1Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. |
SCIENCE – GRADE 3
Report Card Indicators | Earth Science | Physical Science | Life Science |
---|---|---|---|
MP #1 | MP #2 | MP #3 | |
Obtains, evaluates, and communicates information | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning.
3-ESS2-2Obtain and combine information to describe climates in different regions of the world. | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning. | Record observations through drawings, diagrams, data tables and/or writing to communicate scientific reasoning. |
Plans and carries out investigations using models | 3-ESS3-1Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard. | 3-PS2-1Plan and conduct an investigation to provide evidence of the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on the motion of an object. | 3-LS1-1Develop models to describe that organisms have unique and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth, reproduction, and death.
3-5-ETS1-3.Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved. |
Uses data/evidence to construct explanations and designs solutions | 3-ESS2-1Represent data in tables and graphical displays to describe typical weather conditions expected during a particular season. | 3-PS2-2Make observations and/or measurements of an object's motion to provide evidence that a pattern can be used to predict future motion.
3-PS2-4Define a simple design problem that can be solved by applying scientific ideas about magnets. | 3-LS2-1Construct an argument that some animals form groups that help members survive.
3-LS3-1Analyze and interpret data to provide evidence that plants and animals have traits inherited from parents and that variation of these traits exists in a group of similar organisms.
3-LS3-2Use evidence to support the explanation that traits can be influenced by the environment.
3-LS4-1Analyze and interpret data from fossils to provide evidence of the organisms and the environments in which they lived long ago.
3-LS4-2Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.
3-LS4-3Construct an argument with evidence that in a particular habitat some organisms can survive well, some survive less well, and some cannot survive at all.
3-5-ETS1-2Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem. |
Asks questions and defines problems | 3-ESS3-1Make a claim about the merit of a design solution that reduces the impacts of a weather-related hazard. | 3-PS2-3Ask questions to determine cause and effect relationships of electric or magnetic interactions between two objects not in contact with each other.
3-5-ETS1-1Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost. | 3-LS4-4Make a claim about the merit of a solution to a problem caused when the environment changes and the types of plants and animals that live there may change. |
SCIENCE – GRADE 2
Report Card Indicators | Earth Science | Physical Science | Life Science |
---|---|---|---|
MP #2 | MP #1 | MP #3 | |
Obtains, evaluates, and communicates information | 2-ESS2-3Obtain information to identify where water is found on Earth and that it can be solid or liquid | 2-PS1-4Construct an argument with evidence that some changes caused by heating or cooling can be reversed and some cannot. | 2-LS4-1Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. |
Plans and carries out investigations using models | 2-ESS2-2Develop a model to represent the shapes and kinds of land and bodies of water in an area | 2-PS1-1Plan and conduct an investigation to describe and classify different kinds of materials by their observable properties.
K-2-ETS1-2Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. | 2-LS2-1Plan and conduct an investigation to determine if plants need sunlight and water to grow.
K-2-ETS1-2Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. |
Uses data/evidence to construct explanations and designs solutions | 2-ESS1-1Use information from several sources to provide evidence that Earth events can occur quickly or slowly.
2-ESS2-1Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land
K-2-ETS1-3Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problemto compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs. | 2-PS1-2Analyze data obtained from testing different materials to determine which materials have the properties that are best suited for an intended purpose.
2-PS1-3Make observations to construct an evidence-based account of how an object made of a small set of pieces can be disassembled and made into a new object. | 2-LS2-2Develop a simple model that mimics the function of an animal in dispersing seeds or pollinating plants. |
Asks questions and defines problems | K-2-ETS1-1Ask questions, make observations, and gather information abouta situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool. | K-2-ETS1-1Ask questions, make observations, and gather information abouta situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool. | K-2-ETS1-1Ask questions, make observations, and gather information abouta situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool. |
SCIENCE – GRADE 1
Report Card Indicators | Physical Science | Earth Science | Life Science |
---|---|---|---|
MP #1 | MP #2 | MP #3 | |
Obtains, evaluates, and communicates information | 1-PS4-2Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that objects can be seen only when illuminated.
1-PS4-4Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance.
K-2-ETS1-1Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool | 1-ESS1-1Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.
1-ESS1-2Make observations at different times of year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year. | 1-LS1-2Read texts and use media to determine patterns inbehavior of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.
1-LS3-1Make observations to construct an evidence-based account that young plants and animalsare like, but not exactly like, their parents. |
Plans and carries out investigations using models | 1-PS4-1Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
1-PS4-3Plan and conduct an investigation to determine the effect of placing objects made with different materials in the path of a beam of light.
1-PS4-4:Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance. | K-2-ETS1-2Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. | 1-LS1-1Use materials to design a solution to a human problem by mimicking how plants and/or animalsuse their external parts to help them survive, grow, and meet their needs. |
SCIENCE – KINDERGARTEN
Report Card Indicators | Earth Science | Physical Science | Life Science |
---|---|---|---|
MP #1 | MP #2 | MP #3 | |
Obtains, evaluates, and communicates information | K- ESS2.1Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.
K-PS3-1Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface.
K- ESS3-2Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather. | K-PS2- 2Analyze data to determine if a design solution works as intended to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull. | K-LS1-1Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K- ESS2-2 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.
K- ESS3-3Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment. |
Plans and carries out investigations using models | K-PS3-2Use tools and materials provided to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on Earth’s surface. | K-PS2-1Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.
K-2- ETS1-3.Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
K-2-ETS1-2Develop a physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem. | K-ESS3-1Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-2 ETS1-1Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object. |