Standard 1.6
The student will investigate and understand the basic relationships between the sun and Earth.
Key concepts include
a) the sun is the source of energy and light that warms the land, air, and water; and
b) the sun’s relative position in the morning is east and in the late afternoon is west.
Understanding the Standard
Standard 1.7
The student will investigate and understand weather and seasonal changes.
Key concepts include
a) changes in temperature, light, and precipitation affect plants and animals, including humans;
b) there are relationships between daily and seasonal changes;
c) and changes in temperature, light, and precipitation can be observed and recorded over time.
Understanding the Standard
Standard 1.8
The student will investigate and understand that natural resources are limited.
Key concepts include
a) identification of natural resources;
b) factors that affect air and water quality;
c) and recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption of natural resources.
Understanding the Standard
The student will investigate and understand the basic relationships between the sun and Earth.
Key concepts include
a) the sun is the source of energy and light that warms the land, air, and water; and
b) the sun’s relative position in the morning is east and in the late afternoon is west.
Understanding the Standard
- The sun provides Earth with light (a form of radiant energy) and thermal energy.
- By transferring thermal energy to Earth, Earth’s atmosphere and land are heated. Thermal energy may be transferred from one substance to another by three means: conduction, convection, and radiation.
- The sun provides energy, which warms the land, air, and water on Earth.
- The sun’s relative position in the morning is east and in the late afternoon is west.
Standard 1.7
The student will investigate and understand weather and seasonal changes.
Key concepts include
a) changes in temperature, light, and precipitation affect plants and animals, including humans;
b) there are relationships between daily and seasonal changes;
c) and changes in temperature, light, and precipitation can be observed and recorded over time.
Understanding the Standard
- Seasonal changes bring about changes in plants, animals, and people.
- With seasonal changes come changes in weather, including temperature, light, and precipitation.
- Precipitation includes rain, snow, and ice.
- Changes in plants include budding, growth, and losing leaves.
- Some animals hibernate and some animals migrate as a result of seasonal changes, resulting in changes in habitat. Students do not need to know the terms migration, hibernation, and habitat. The focus should be on the concepts, not the terminology.
- Hibernation is a state of greatly reduced metabolic activity and lowered body temperature adopted by certain mammals as an adaptation to adverse winter conditions. Most animals are not “true hibernators” but rely on a combination of reserve body fat, stored food supplies (in rodents only), and a protected den to enable it to survive the winter. At intervals of several weeks the animal elevates its body temperature, awakens, moves about, feeds, and then returns to its state of torpor.
- Migration is the regular, usually seasonal, movement of all or part of an animal population to and from a given area. The distance traveled may be a few miles or several thousands of miles. Animals migrate for many different reasons. Some animals migrate to find better sources of food, water, or shelter. Other animals migrate to visit particular breeding grounds, rear their young, or find warmer climates. The frequency of animals’ migrations also differs.
- An animal's living place is called its habitat. Most animals are only adapted to live in one or two habitats. Earth has many different environments, varying in temperature, moisture, light, and many other factors. Each of these habitats has distinct life forms living in it, forming complex communities of interdependent organisms. A habitat must include a source of food for the animal, a source of water for the animal, access to some sort of shelter for the animal, and an adequate amount of space so that enough habitat components are available to the animal. Some animals’ habitats are very small, but some animals require a large amount of space.
- The body coverings of some animals change with the seasons. This includes thickness of fur and coloration.
- Changes made by people include their dress, recreation, and work.
Standard 1.8
The student will investigate and understand that natural resources are limited.
Key concepts include
a) identification of natural resources;
b) factors that affect air and water quality;
c) and recycling, reusing, and reducing consumption of natural resources.
Understanding the Standard
- Natural resources provide us with the things we need in order to live, including food, clothing, water, air, shelter, land, and energy.
- What we put into the air, especially the products of the fuels we burn, affects the quality of the air. Waste produced by animals, including humans, and factories can affect the quality of water. Some pollution washes from yards, streets, and farms.
- Many natural resources are limited and cannot be renewed. Other resources are limited and cannot be renewed, but they may last a very long time.
- Recycling recovers used materials. Many materials can be recycled and used again, sometimes in different forms. Recycling helps to save our natural resources. An example of a recycled material is newspapers that are turned into writing tablets.
- Reusing materials means using them more than once. Examples include using dishes and utensils that are washed after use rather than using paper plates and plastic utensils and putting them in the trash.
- Resources will last longer if we recycle them, reuse them, or reduce consumption of them.
- The creation of parks can help preserve land. Parks have many uses, including recreation.