NC Essential Science Standards
Kindergarten
K.P.1 Understand the positions and motions of objects and organisms observed in the environment.
K.P.1.1 Compare the relative position of various objects observed in the classroom and outside using position words such as: in front of, behind, between, on top of, under, above, below, beside.
K.P.1.2 Give examples of different ways objects and organisms move (to include falling to the ground when dropped: straight, zigzag, round and round, back and forth, fast and slow.
K.P.2 Understand how objects are described based on their physical properties and how they are used.
K.P.2.1 Classify objects by observable physical properties (including size, color, shape, texture, weight and flexibility).
K.P.2.2 Compare the observable physical properties of different kinds of materials (clay, wood, cloth, paper, etc) from which objects are made and how they are used.
K.E.1 Understand change and observable patterns of weather that occur from day to day and throughout the year.
K.E.1.1 Infer that change is something that happens to many things in the environment based on observations made using one or more of their senses.
K.E.1.2 Summarize daily weather conditions noting changes that occur from day to day and throughout the year.
K.E.1.3 Compare weather patterns that occur from season to season.
K.L.1 Compare characteristics of animals that make them alike and different from other animals and nonliving things.
K.L.1.1 Compare different types of the same animal (i.e. different types of dogs, different types of cats, etc.) to determine individual differences within a particular type of animal.
K.L.1.2 Compare characteristics of animals in terms of their: structure, growth, changes, movement, basic needs.
K.P.1.1 Compare the relative position of various objects observed in the classroom and outside using position words such as: in front of, behind, between, on top of, under, above, below, beside.
K.P.1.2 Give examples of different ways objects and organisms move (to include falling to the ground when dropped: straight, zigzag, round and round, back and forth, fast and slow.
K.P.2 Understand how objects are described based on their physical properties and how they are used.
K.P.2.1 Classify objects by observable physical properties (including size, color, shape, texture, weight and flexibility).
K.P.2.2 Compare the observable physical properties of different kinds of materials (clay, wood, cloth, paper, etc) from which objects are made and how they are used.
K.E.1 Understand change and observable patterns of weather that occur from day to day and throughout the year.
K.E.1.1 Infer that change is something that happens to many things in the environment based on observations made using one or more of their senses.
K.E.1.2 Summarize daily weather conditions noting changes that occur from day to day and throughout the year.
K.E.1.3 Compare weather patterns that occur from season to season.
K.L.1 Compare characteristics of animals that make them alike and different from other animals and nonliving things.
K.L.1.1 Compare different types of the same animal (i.e. different types of dogs, different types of cats, etc.) to determine individual differences within a particular type of animal.
K.L.1.2 Compare characteristics of animals in terms of their: structure, growth, changes, movement, basic needs.
First Grade
1.P.1 Understand how forces (pushes or pulls) affect the motion of an object.
1.P.1.1 Explain the importance of a push or pull to changing the motion of an object.
1.P.1.2 Explain how some forces (pushes and pulls) can be used to make things move without touching them, such as magnets.
1.P.1.3 Predict the effect of a given force on the motion of an object, including balanced forces.
1.E.1 Recognize the features and patterns of the earth/moon/sun system as observed from Earth.
1.E.1.1 Recognize differences in the features of the day and night sky and apparent movement of objects across the sky as observed from Earth.
1.E.1.2 Recognize patterns of observable changes in the Moon’s appearance from day to day.
1.E.2 Understand the physical properties of Earth materials that make them useful in different ways.
1.E.2.1 Summarize the physical properties of Earth materials, including rocks, minerals, soils, and water, that make them useful in different ways.
1.E.2.2 Compare the properties of soil samples from different places relating their capacity to retain water, nourish and support the growth of certain plants.
1.L.1 Understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive.
1.L.1.1 Recognize that plants and animals need air, water, light (plants only), space, food and shelter and that these may be found in their environment.
1.L.1.2 Give examples of how the needs of different plants and animals can be met by their environments in North Carolina or different places throughout the world.
1.L.1.3 Summarize ways that humans protect their environment and/or improve conditions for the growth of the plants and animals that live there. (e.g., reuse or recycle products to avoid littering.)
1.L.2 Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth.
1.L.2.1 Summarize the basic needs of a variety of different plants (including air, water, nutrients, and light) for energy and growth.
1.L.2.2 Summarize the basic needs of a variety of different animals (including air, water, and food) for energy and growth.
1.P.1.1 Explain the importance of a push or pull to changing the motion of an object.
1.P.1.2 Explain how some forces (pushes and pulls) can be used to make things move without touching them, such as magnets.
1.P.1.3 Predict the effect of a given force on the motion of an object, including balanced forces.
1.E.1 Recognize the features and patterns of the earth/moon/sun system as observed from Earth.
1.E.1.1 Recognize differences in the features of the day and night sky and apparent movement of objects across the sky as observed from Earth.
1.E.1.2 Recognize patterns of observable changes in the Moon’s appearance from day to day.
1.E.2 Understand the physical properties of Earth materials that make them useful in different ways.
1.E.2.1 Summarize the physical properties of Earth materials, including rocks, minerals, soils, and water, that make them useful in different ways.
1.E.2.2 Compare the properties of soil samples from different places relating their capacity to retain water, nourish and support the growth of certain plants.
1.L.1 Understand characteristics of various environments and behaviors of humans that enable plants and animals to survive.
1.L.1.1 Recognize that plants and animals need air, water, light (plants only), space, food and shelter and that these may be found in their environment.
1.L.1.2 Give examples of how the needs of different plants and animals can be met by their environments in North Carolina or different places throughout the world.
1.L.1.3 Summarize ways that humans protect their environment and/or improve conditions for the growth of the plants and animals that live there. (e.g., reuse or recycle products to avoid littering.)
1.L.2 Summarize the needs of living organisms for energy and growth.
1.L.2.1 Summarize the basic needs of a variety of different plants (including air, water, nutrients, and light) for energy and growth.
1.L.2.2 Summarize the basic needs of a variety of different animals (including air, water, and food) for energy and growth.
Second Grade
2.P.1 Understand the relationship between sound and vibrating objects.
2.P.1.1 Illustrate how sound is produced by vibrating objects and columns of air.
2.P.1.2 Summarize the relationship between sound and objects of the body that vibrate – eardrum and vocal cords.
2.E.1 Understand patterns of weather and factors that affect weather.
2.E.1.1 Summarize how energy from the sun serves as a source of light that warms the land, air and water.
2.E.1.2 Summarize weather conditions using qualitative and quantitative measures to describe: temperature, wind direction, wind speed, precipitation
2.E.1.3 Compare weather patterns that occur over time and relate observable patterns to time of day and time of year.
2.E.1.4 Recognize the tools that scientists use for observing, recording, and predicting weather changes from day to day and during the season.
2.L.1 Understand animal life cycles.
2.L.1.1 Summarize the life cycle of animals including: birth, developing into an adult, reproducing, aging and death.
2.L.1.2 Compare life cycles of other animals such as, but not limited to, mealworms, ladybugs, crickets, guppies or frogs.
2.L.2 Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism.
2.L.2.1 Identify ways in which plants and animals closely resemble their parents in observed appearance and ways they are different.
2.L.2.2 Recognize that there is variation among individuals that are related.
2.P.1.1 Illustrate how sound is produced by vibrating objects and columns of air.
2.P.1.2 Summarize the relationship between sound and objects of the body that vibrate – eardrum and vocal cords.
2.E.1 Understand patterns of weather and factors that affect weather.
2.E.1.1 Summarize how energy from the sun serves as a source of light that warms the land, air and water.
2.E.1.2 Summarize weather conditions using qualitative and quantitative measures to describe: temperature, wind direction, wind speed, precipitation
2.E.1.3 Compare weather patterns that occur over time and relate observable patterns to time of day and time of year.
2.E.1.4 Recognize the tools that scientists use for observing, recording, and predicting weather changes from day to day and during the season.
2.L.1 Understand animal life cycles.
2.L.1.1 Summarize the life cycle of animals including: birth, developing into an adult, reproducing, aging and death.
2.L.1.2 Compare life cycles of other animals such as, but not limited to, mealworms, ladybugs, crickets, guppies or frogs.
2.L.2 Remember that organisms differ from or are similar to their parents based on the characteristics of the organism.
2.L.2.1 Identify ways in which plants and animals closely resemble their parents in observed appearance and ways they are different.
2.L.2.2 Recognize that there is variation among individuals that are related.
Third Grade
3.P.1 Understand motion and factors that affect motion.
3.P.1.1 Infer changes in speed or direction resulting from forces acting on an object.
3.P.1.2 Compare the relative speeds (faster or slower) of objects that travel the same distance in different amounts of time.
3.P.1.3 Explain the effects of Earth’s gravity on the motion of any object on or near the Earth.
3.P.2 Understand the structure and properties of matter before and after they undergo a change.
3.P.2.1 Recognize that air is a substance that surrounds us, takes up space and has mass.
3.P.2.2 Compare solids, liquids, and gases based on their basic properties.
3.P.2.3 Summarize changes that occur to the observable properties of materials when different degrees of heat are applied to them, such as melting ice or ice cream, boiling water or an egg, or freezing water.
3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system.
3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar system that includes the sun (a star), planets, and many moons and the earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system.
3.E.1.2 Recognize that changes in the length and direction of an object’s shadow indicate the apparent changing position of the Sun during the day although the patterns of the stars in the sky, to include the Sun, stay the same.
3.L.1 Understand human body systems and how they are essential for life: protection, movement and support.
3.L.1.1 Compare the different functions of the skeletal and muscular system.
3.L.1.2 Explain why skin is necessary for protection and for the body to remain healthy.
3.L.2 Understand how plants survive in their environments.
3.L.2.1 Remember the function of the following structures as it relates to the survival of plants in their environments: Roots – absorb nutrients; Stems – provide support; Leaves – synthesize food; Flowers – attract pollinators and produce seeds for reproduction.
3.L.2.2 Explain how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive and grow.
3.L.2.3 Summarize the distinct stages of the life cycle of seed plants.
3.L.2.4 Explain how the basic properties (texture and capacity to hold water) and components (sand, clay and humus) of soil determine the ability of soil to support the growth and survival of many plants.
3.P.1.1 Infer changes in speed or direction resulting from forces acting on an object.
3.P.1.2 Compare the relative speeds (faster or slower) of objects that travel the same distance in different amounts of time.
3.P.1.3 Explain the effects of Earth’s gravity on the motion of any object on or near the Earth.
3.P.2 Understand the structure and properties of matter before and after they undergo a change.
3.P.2.1 Recognize that air is a substance that surrounds us, takes up space and has mass.
3.P.2.2 Compare solids, liquids, and gases based on their basic properties.
3.P.2.3 Summarize changes that occur to the observable properties of materials when different degrees of heat are applied to them, such as melting ice or ice cream, boiling water or an egg, or freezing water.
3.E.1 Recognize the major components and patterns observed in the earth/moon/sun system.
3.E.1.1 Recognize that the earth is part of a system called the solar system that includes the sun (a star), planets, and many moons and the earth is the third planet from the sun in our solar system.
3.E.1.2 Recognize that changes in the length and direction of an object’s shadow indicate the apparent changing position of the Sun during the day although the patterns of the stars in the sky, to include the Sun, stay the same.
3.L.1 Understand human body systems and how they are essential for life: protection, movement and support.
3.L.1.1 Compare the different functions of the skeletal and muscular system.
3.L.1.2 Explain why skin is necessary for protection and for the body to remain healthy.
3.L.2 Understand how plants survive in their environments.
3.L.2.1 Remember the function of the following structures as it relates to the survival of plants in their environments: Roots – absorb nutrients; Stems – provide support; Leaves – synthesize food; Flowers – attract pollinators and produce seeds for reproduction.
3.L.2.2 Explain how environmental conditions determine how well plants survive and grow.
3.L.2.3 Summarize the distinct stages of the life cycle of seed plants.
3.L.2.4 Explain how the basic properties (texture and capacity to hold water) and components (sand, clay and humus) of soil determine the ability of soil to support the growth and survival of many plants.
Fourth Grade
4.P.1 Explain how various forces affect the motion of an object.
4.P.1.1 Explain how magnets interact with all things made of iron and with other magnets to produce motion without touching them.
4.P.1.2 Explain how electrically charged objects push or pull on other electrically charged objects and produce motion.
4.P.2 Understand the composition and properties of matter before and after they undergo a change or interaction.
4.P.2.1 Compare the physical properties of samples of matter:(strength, hardness, flexibility, ability to conduct heat, ability to conduct electricity, ability to be attracted by magnets, reactions to water and fire).
4.P.2.2 Explain how minerals are identified using tests for the physical properties of hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak.
4.P.2.3 Classify rocks as metamorphic, sedimentary or igneous based on their composition, how they are formed and the processes that create them.
4.E.1 Explain the causes of day and night and phases of the moon.
4.E.1.1 Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis.
4.E.1.2 Explain the monthly changes in the appearance of the moon, based on the moon’s orbit around the Earth.
4.L.1 Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats.
4.L.1.1 Give examples of changes in an organism’s environment that are beneficial to it and some that are harmful.
4.L.1.2 Explain how animals meet their needs by using behaviors in response to information received from the environment.
4.L.1.3 Explain how humans can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats (e.g., recycling wastes, establishing rain gardens, planting trees and shrubs to prevent flooding and erosion ).
4.L.1.4 Explain how differences among animals of the same population sometimes give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing in changing habitats.
4.P.1.1 Explain how magnets interact with all things made of iron and with other magnets to produce motion without touching them.
4.P.1.2 Explain how electrically charged objects push or pull on other electrically charged objects and produce motion.
4.P.2 Understand the composition and properties of matter before and after they undergo a change or interaction.
4.P.2.1 Compare the physical properties of samples of matter:(strength, hardness, flexibility, ability to conduct heat, ability to conduct electricity, ability to be attracted by magnets, reactions to water and fire).
4.P.2.2 Explain how minerals are identified using tests for the physical properties of hardness, color, luster, cleavage, and streak.
4.P.2.3 Classify rocks as metamorphic, sedimentary or igneous based on their composition, how they are formed and the processes that create them.
4.E.1 Explain the causes of day and night and phases of the moon.
4.E.1.1 Explain the cause of day and night based on the rotation of Earth on its axis.
4.E.1.2 Explain the monthly changes in the appearance of the moon, based on the moon’s orbit around the Earth.
4.L.1 Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations and behaviors that enable animals (including humans) to survive in changing habitats.
4.L.1.1 Give examples of changes in an organism’s environment that are beneficial to it and some that are harmful.
4.L.1.2 Explain how animals meet their needs by using behaviors in response to information received from the environment.
4.L.1.3 Explain how humans can adapt their behavior to live in changing habitats (e.g., recycling wastes, establishing rain gardens, planting trees and shrubs to prevent flooding and erosion ).
4.L.1.4 Explain how differences among animals of the same population sometimes give individuals an advantage in surviving and reproducing in changing habitats.
Fifth Grade
5.P.1 Understand force, motion and the relationship between them.
5.P.1.1 Explain how factors such as gravity, friction, and change in mass affect the motion of objects.
5.P.1.2 Infer the motion of objects in terms of how far they travel in a certain amount of time and the direction in which they travel.
5.P.1.3 Illustrate the motion of an object using a graph to show a change in position over a period of time.
5.P.1.4 Predict the effect of a given force or a change in mass on the motion of an object.
5.P.2 Understand the interactions of matter and energy and the changes that occur.
5.P.2.1 Explain how the sun’s energy impacts the processes of the water cycle (including, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation).
5.P.2.2 Compare the weight of an object to the sum of the weight of its parts before and after an interaction.
5.P.2.3 Summarize properties of original materials, and the new material(s) formed, to demonstrate that a change has occurred.
5.E.1 Understand weather patterns and phenomena, making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.
5.E.1.1 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns.
5.E.1.2 Predict upcoming weather events from weather data collected through observation and measurements.
5.E.1.3 Explain how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.
5.L.1 Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life.
5.L.1.1 Explain why some organisms are capable of surviving as a single cell while others require many cells that are specialized to survive.
5.L.1.2 Compare the major systems of the human body (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, skeletal, and cardiovascular) in terms of their functions necessary for life.
5.L.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.
5.L.2.1 Compare the characteristics of several common ecosystems, including estuaries and salt marshes, oceans, lakes and ponds, forests, and grasslands).
5.L.2.2 Classify the organisms within an ecosystem according to the function they serve: producers, consumers, or decomposers (biotic factors).
5.L.2.3 Infer the effects that may result from the interconnected relationship of plants and animals to their ecosystem.
5.P.1.1 Explain how factors such as gravity, friction, and change in mass affect the motion of objects.
5.P.1.2 Infer the motion of objects in terms of how far they travel in a certain amount of time and the direction in which they travel.
5.P.1.3 Illustrate the motion of an object using a graph to show a change in position over a period of time.
5.P.1.4 Predict the effect of a given force or a change in mass on the motion of an object.
5.P.2 Understand the interactions of matter and energy and the changes that occur.
5.P.2.1 Explain how the sun’s energy impacts the processes of the water cycle (including, evaporation, transpiration, condensation, precipitation).
5.P.2.2 Compare the weight of an object to the sum of the weight of its parts before and after an interaction.
5.P.2.3 Summarize properties of original materials, and the new material(s) formed, to demonstrate that a change has occurred.
5.E.1 Understand weather patterns and phenomena, making connections to the weather in a particular place and time.
5.E.1.1 Compare daily and seasonal changes in weather conditions (including wind speed and direction, precipitation, and temperature) and patterns.
5.E.1.2 Predict upcoming weather events from weather data collected through observation and measurements.
5.E.1.3 Explain how global patterns such as the jet stream and water currents influence local weather in measurable terms such as temperature, wind direction and speed, and precipitation.
5.L.1 Understand how structures and systems of organisms (to include the human body) perform functions necessary for life.
5.L.1.1 Explain why some organisms are capable of surviving as a single cell while others require many cells that are specialized to survive.
5.L.1.2 Compare the major systems of the human body (digestive, respiratory, circulatory, muscular, skeletal, and cardiovascular) in terms of their functions necessary for life.
5.L.2 Understand the interdependence of plants and animals with their ecosystem.
5.L.2.1 Compare the characteristics of several common ecosystems, including estuaries and salt marshes, oceans, lakes and ponds, forests, and grasslands).
5.L.2.2 Classify the organisms within an ecosystem according to the function they serve: producers, consumers, or decomposers (biotic factors).
5.L.2.3 Infer the effects that may result from the interconnected relationship of plants and animals to their ecosystem.
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