In this lesson, students experiment with balls made of different materials and of varying sizes to determine which is the bounciest. First, students observe, discuss, and compare the different balls in terms of size, texture, and material, and weigh them. Next, students conduct an experiment to determine which is the bounciest ball.and create a chart to show their results. Last, students attempt to increase the bounce of the balls and participate in a wrap-up discussion.

This lesson is designed for students to develop investigational skills using observation and touch. The students will determine the characteristics they wish to use to categorize the rock samples. Because the students are working in small groups they will need to cooperate to decide on the criteria for sorting. Vocabulary words to be used include color, shape, texture, size, group and belong.

While investigating the properties of rocks, students will create a classroom rock collection.

In this lesson, students use problem-solving skills to design tower structures out of a variety of materials. Students will compare properties of the materials as they select appropriate ones for their structures.

In this lesson, students explore a variety of recycled mateirals and use them to create and build a 3-D sculpture. Students will compare properties of the materials as they select appropriate ones for their projects.

In this lesson, students learn about historical uses of forest resources. Students begin by recalling products of forest origin while playing Hot Pine Cone. Next, the class explores forest resources used to create products of the past, while relating them to present-day goods. To conclude, students examine real forest products and draw a picture of one they use every day.

In this lesson, students will distinguish between wants and needs and recognize individual differences. Students will also list objects that we either make from trees or that are produced by trees. Then students will locate and identify pictures of products that are tree related in magazines.

By allowing children to engage in deep play and messy play, we set the stage for important brain development and healthy interactions with others

Try your hand at a Japanese school children’s traditional pastime molding earth and water to form a basic mud ball (dorodango). Continue the process by polis...

In this instructional unit, students will identify an object and material in their surroundings and then determine what its main property is.

This parent guide supports parents in helping their child at home with the Kindergarten Science content. Within the folder you will access Parent Guide PDFs in FIVE Languages: Arabic, English, Hindi, Spanish, and Vietnamese to help on-going communication with caregivers. 

This resource accompanies our Rethink Kindergarten Science Matter unit. It includes ideas for use, ways to support exceptional children, ways to extend learning, digital resources and tools, tips for supporting English Language Learners and students with visual and hearing impairments. There are also ideas for offline learning.

This lesson is the first of a two-part series on the properties and uses of different materials. In Materials 1: Materials and Manufacturing, the familiar tale of The Three Little Pigs is used as an introduction to materials and manufacturing. Students examine the properties, limitations, and durability of a variety of materials, then evaluate which of the materials would be best for building a model house. If used in its entirety, this lesson could take several science class periods.

In this lesson, students learn what it means to value something. The class is also introduced to specific reasons we value forests by searching Tree Spy collages and looking at the number of products that originate in forests. The lesson concludes with the class singing a song about forest values.

This is the educator's guide for a set of activities that teach students about humans' endeavors to return to the moon. The emphasis is for students to understand that engineers must "imagine and plan" before they begin to build and experiment. Each activity features objectives, a list of materials, educator information, procedures, and student worksheets. Students should work in teams to complete the activities. Note: Activities do not align to all objectives that are listed; specific activities align to specific objectives.

This course was created by the Rethink Education Content Development Team. This course is aligned to the NC Standards for Kindergarten Science.

The Properties unit explains how shape, color, texture, weight, state of matter, and other properties can be used to identify, describe, and compare matter. The unit also explains that we choose to make things out of materials that have the properties we need or want.

Using simple, inexpensive items, students build and test submarine models in a single class period. They gain insight into the engineering that's required to make these machines ascend, descend, and hover safely in extreme environments. The printable eight-page handout includes a series of inquiry-based questions that get students thinking about the complex engineering required for submersibles, illustrated experiment directions, and a worksheet that includes thought-provoking questions along with areas for recording experiment data.

Students make and test predictions about sinking and floating and then classify objects according to whether they sink or float.

In this lesson, students name at least three products that come from trees, describe what life would be like without wood products, and explain the statement "Wood is a renewable resource."