First Grade

How Can We send a message using sound? (2nd Edition)

10 lessons | 14 days of instruction

In this module, students solve two problems by using sound to send messages. In Lessons 1 through 8 students solve a problem that occurs on a field trip when students can’t hear their teacher’s voice calling for them. They model the problem, consider the different types of communication devices people use, and investigate how sound can be generated in order to better understand the problem and begin to design solutions. They develop two-dimensional designs and build three-dimensional models of sound-making devices and test the models to determine if they can solve the problem as intended. In the design challenge (Lessons 9 and 10), students use what they have learned about engineering design, communication devices, and ways to make sound to design, build, and test a new type of noisemaker that can be used to tell a player where to move in a board game.

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How Can We Predict when the sky will be dark? (2nd Edition)

10 lessons | 14 days of instruction

In this module, students explain phenomena about the Sun and the Moon and solve a problem related to kids going to school in the dark. In Lessons 1 through 6, students explain the phenomenon of a girl able to see her toys outside after dinner on some days but not on other days. In Lessons 7 and 8, students explain the phenomenon of the Moon appearing as different shapes and in different parts of the sky. In the science challenge, Lessons 9 and 10, students solve the problem of kids having to go to school in the dark at some times of the year, when it is difficult to see or be seen.

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how do living things stay safe & grow? (2nd Edition)

10 lessons | 14 days of instruction

In this module, students explain phenomena and solve problems related to adult and young plants and animals’ survival and growth. In Lessons 1 through 3, students identify patterns of similarities and differences in young and adult animals to explain why two types of penguins found in a single colony look alike and different at the same time. In Lesson 4, students use patterns they observe in data to suggest how young plants may appear in comparison to the adult plant. In Lessons 5 and 6, students construct arguments from evidence to explain penguin behavior. In Lessons 7 and 8, students solve human problems by mimicking plant and animal external parts. In the science challenge, Lessons 9 and 10, students apply what they have learned throughout the module by constructing an argument from evidence to determine the group of penguins to which the chicks belong and how mimicking plant and animal parts and behavior may solve a human problem.

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How Can We light our way in the dark? (2nd Edition)

10 lessons | 14 days of instruction

In this module, students investigate how light interacts with a variety of materials and explore ways that humans and other animals use such interactions to help them survive. In Lesson 1, students explain that a light source is needed in order for humans to see objects. In Lessons 2 through 4, students investigate and explain the different ways light behaves when it interacts with different materials. In Lessons 5 through 8, students define a safety problem related to student visibility at a dark bus stop. They solve the problem using biomimicry. In the science challenge, Lessons 9 through 10, students explain how materials they have investigated can be used to let people know what to do in an emergency situation.

Learn more in the Unit Storyline