Virginia K–6 science standards

asking questions and defining problems ask questions based on observations

asking questions and defining problems identify a problem based on need

asking questions and defining problems make predictions based on observations

planning and carrying out investigations make observations to collect data

planning and carrying out investigations identify characteristics and properties of objects through observations

planning and carrying out investigations measure the relative length and weight of common objects

planning and carrying out investigations record information from investigations

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data describe patterns

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data classify and/or sequence objects based on a single physical characteristic or property

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data organize and represent data

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data read and interpret data in object graphs, picture graphs, and tables

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations make simple conclusions based on data or observations

developing and using models distinguish between a model and an actual object

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information communicate comparative measures (e.g., heavier, lighter, longer, shorter, more, less, hotter, colder)

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information communicate observations using pictures, drawings, and/or speech

The student will investigate and understand that pushes and pulls affect the motion of objects. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy pushes and pulls can cause an object to move;

Force, Motion, and Energy pushes and pulls can change the direction of an object; and

Force, Motion, and Energy changes in motion are related to the strength of the push or pull.

The student will investigate and understand that physical properties of an object can be described. Properties include

Matter colors;

Matter shapes and forms;

Matter textures and feel; and

Matter relative sizes and weights of objects.

The student will investigate and understand that water is important in our daily lives and has properties. Key ideas include

Matter water has many uses;

Matter water can be found in many places;

Matter water occurs in different phases; and

Matter water flows downhill.

The students will investigate and understand that senses allow humans to seek, find, take in, and react or respond to different information. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes the five basic senses correspond to specific human body structures; and

Living Systems and Processes senses are used in our daily lives.

The student will investigate and understand that there are differences between living organisms and nonliving objects. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes all things can be classified as living or nonliving; and

Living Systems and Processes living organisms have certain characteristics that distinguish them from nonliving objects.

The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals have basic needs and life processes. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes living things need adequate food, water, shelter, air, and space to survive;

Living Systems and Processes plants and animals have life cycles; and

Living Systems and Processes offspring of plants and animals are similar but not identical to their parents or to one another.

The student will investigate and understand that light influences temperature on Earth's surfaces and can cause shadows. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems the sun provides light and warms Earth's surface;

Earth and Space Systems shadows can be produced when sunlight or artificial light is blocked by an object; and

Earth and Space Systems objects in shadows and objects in sunlight have different temperatures.

The student will investigate and understand that there are patterns in nature. Key patterns include

Earth and Space Systems daily weather;

Earth and Space Systems seasonal changes; and

Earth and Space Systems day and night.

The student will investigate and understand that change occurs over time. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems natural and human-made things change over time;

Earth and Space Systems living and nonliving things change over time;

Earth and Space Systems changes can be observed and measured; and

Earth and Space Systems changes may be fast or slow.

The student will investigate and understand that humans use resources. Key ideas include

Earth Resources some materials and objects can be used over and over again;

Earth Resources materials can be recycled; and

Earth Resources choices we make impact the air, water, land and living things.

asking questions and defining problems ask questions and make predictions based on observations

asking questions and defining problems identify a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new tool or improved object

planning and carrying out investigations with guidance, conduct investigations to produce data

planning and carrying out investigations identify characteristics and properties of objects by observations

planning and carrying out investigations use tools to measure relative length, weight, volume, and temperature of common objects

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data use and share pictures, drawings, and/or writings of observations

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data describe patterns and relationships

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data classify and arrange objects based on a single physical characteristic or property

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data organize and represent various forms of data using tables, picture graphs, and object graphs

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data read and interpret data displayed in tables, picture graphs, and object graphs, using the vocabulary more, less, fewer, greater than, less than, and equal to

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations make simple conclusions based on data or observations

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations recognize unusual or unexpected results

developing and using models use physical models to demonstrate simple phenomena and natural processes

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information communicate observations and data using simple graphs, pictures, drawings, numbers, speech and/or writing

The student will investigate and understand that objects can move in different ways. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy objects may have straight, circular, spinning, and back-and-forth motions; and

Force, Motion, and Energy objects may vibrate and produce sound.

The student will investigate and understand that objects are made from materials that can be described by their physical properties. Key ideas include

Matter objects are made of one or more materials with different physical properties and can be used for a variety of purposes;

Matter when a material is changed in size most physical properties remain the same; and

Matter the type and amount of material determine how much light can pass through an object.

The student will investigate and understand that plants have basic life needs and functional parts that allow them to survive. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes plants need nutrients, air, water, light, and a place to grow;

Living Systems and Processes structures of plants perform specific functions; and

Living Systems and Processes plants can be classified based on a variety of characteristics.

The student will investigate and understand that animals, including humans, have basic life needs that allow them to survive. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes animals need air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat);

Living Systems and Processes animals have different physical characteristics that perform specific functions; and

Living Systems and Processes animals can be classified based on a variety of characteristics.

The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun and Earth. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems the sun is the source of energy and light that warms the Earth's land, air, and water; and

Earth and Space Systems the sun's relative position changes in the Earth's sky throughout the day.

The student will investigate and understand that there are weather and seasonal changes. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems changes in temperature, light, and precipitation occur over time;

Earth and Space Systems there are relationships between daily weather and the season; and

Earth and Space Systems changes in temperature, light, and precipitation affect plants and animals, including humans.

The student will investigate and understand that natural resources can be used responsibly. Key ideas include

Earth Resources most natural resources are limited;

Earth Resources human actions can affect the availability of natural resources; and

Earth Resources reducing, reusing, and recycling are ways to conserve natural resources.

asking questions and defining problems ask questions that can be investigated

asking questions and defining problems make predictions based on observations and prior experiences

asking questions and defining problems identify a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new tool or improved object

planning and carrying out investigations with guidance, plan and conduct simple investigations to produce data

planning and carrying out investigations use appropriate tools to measure length, weight, and temperature of common objects using U.S. Customary units

planning and carrying out investigations measure time intervals using proper tools

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data organize and represent data in pictographs and bar graphs

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data read and interpret data represented in pictographs and bar graphs

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations make simple conclusions based on data or observations

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations distinguish between opinion and evidence

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations recognize unusual or unexpected results

developing and using models use models to demonstrate simple phenomena and natural processes

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information communicate observations and data using simple graphs, drawings, numbers, speech, and/or writing

The student will investigate and understand that different types of forces may cause an object's motion to change. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy forces from direct contact can cause an object to move;

Force, Motion, and Energy some forces, including gravity and magnetism, can cause objects to move from a distance; and

Force, Motion, and Energy forces have applications in our lives.

The student will investigate and understand that matter can exist in different phases. Key ideas include

Matter matter has mass and takes up space;

Matter solids, liquids, and gases have different characteristics; and

Matter heating and cooling can change the phases of matter.

The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals undergo a series of orderly changes as they grow and develop. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes animals have life cycles; and

Living Systems and Processes plants have life cycles.

The student will investigate and understand that living things are part of a system. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes plants and animals are interdependent with their living and nonliving surroundings;

Living Systems and Processes an animal's habitat provides all of its basic needs; and

Living Systems and Processes habitats change over time due to many influences.

The student will investigate and understand that there are different types of weather on Earth. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems different types of weather have specific characteristics;

Earth and Space Systems measuring, recording, and interpreting weather data allows for identification of weather patterns; and

Earth and Space Systems tracking weather allows us to prepare for the weather and storms.

The student will investigate and understand that weather patterns and seasonal changes affect plants, animals, and their surroundings. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems weather and seasonal changes affect the growth and behavior of living things;

Earth and Space Systems wind and weather can change the land; and

Earth and Space Systems changes can happen quickly or slowly over time.

The student will investigate and understand that plants are important natural resources. Key ideas include

Earth Resources the availability of plant products affects the development of a geographic area;

Earth Resources plants provide oxygen, homes, and food for many animals; and

Earth Resources plants can help reduce the impact of wind and water.

asking questions and defining problems ask questions that can be investigated and predict reasonable outcomes

asking questions and defining problems ask questions about what would happen if a variable is changed

asking questions and defining problems define a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system

planning and carrying out investigations with guidance, plan and conduct investigations

planning and carrying out investigations use appropriate methods and/or tools for collecting data

planning and carrying out investigations estimate length, mass, volume, and temperature

planning and carrying out investigations measure length, mass, volume, and temperature in metric and U.S. Customary units using proper tools

planning and carrying out investigations measure elapsed time

planning and carrying out investigations use tools and/or materials to design and/or build a device that solves a specific problem

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data organize and represent data in pictographs or bar graphs

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data read, interpret, and analyze data represented in pictographs and bar graphs

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if it works as intended

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations use evidence (measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support an explanation

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations generate and/or compare multiple solutions to a problem

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations describe how scientific ideas apply to design solutions

developing and using models use models to demonstrate simple phenomena and natural processes

developing and using models develop a model (e.g., diagram or simple physical prototype) to illustrate a proposed object, tool, or process

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information read and comprehend reading-level appropriate texts and/or other reliable media

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information communicate scientific information, design ideas, and/or solutions with others

The student will investigate and understand that the direction and size of force affects the motion of an object. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy multiple forces may act on an object;

Force, Motion, and Energy the net force on an object determines how an object moves;

Force, Motion, and Energy simple machines increase or change the direction of a force; and

Force, Motion, and Energy simple and compound machines have many applications.

The student will investigate and understand how materials interact with water. Key ideas include

Matter solids and liquids mix with water in different ways; and

Matter many solids dissolve more easily in hot water than in cold water.

The student will investigate and understand that adaptations allow organisms to satisfy life needs and respond to the environment. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes populations may adapt over time;

Living Systems and Processes adaptations may be behavioral or physical; and

Living Systems and Processes fossils provide evidence about the types of organisms that lived long ago as well as the nature of their environments.

The student will investigate and understand that aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems support a diversity of organisms. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes ecosystems are made of living and nonliving components of the environment; and

Living Systems and Processes relationships exist among organisms in an ecosystem.

The student will investigate and understand that soil is important in ecosystems. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems soil, with its different components, is important to organisms; and

Earth and Space Systems soil provides support and nutrients necessary for plant growth.

The student will investigate and understand that there is a water cycle and water is important to life on Earth. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems there are many reservoirs of water on Earth;

Earth and Space Systems the energy from the sun drives the water cycle; and

Earth and Space Systems the water cycle involves specific processes.

The student will investigate and understand that natural events and humans influence ecosystems. Key ideas include

Earth Resources human activity affects the quality of air, water, and habitats;

Earth Resources water is limited and needs to be conserved;

Earth Resources fire, flood, disease, and erosion affect ecosystems; and

Earth Resources soil is a natural resource and should be conserved.

asking questions and defining problems identify scientific and non-scientific questions

asking questions and defining problems develop hypotheses as cause-and-effect relations

asking questions and defining problems define a simple design problem that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system

planning and carrying out investigations identify variables when planning an investigation

planning and carrying out investigations collaboratively plan and conduct investigations

planning and carrying out investigations use tools and/or materials to design and/or build a device that solves a specific problem

planning and carrying out investigations take metric measurements using appropriate tools

planning and carrying out investigations measure elapsed time

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data organize and represent data in bar graphs and line graphs

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data interpret and analyze data represented in bar graphs and line graphs

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data compare two different representations of the same data (e.g., a set of data displayed on a chart and a graph)

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine whether it works as intended

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations use evidence (i.e., measurements, observations, patterns) to construct or support explanations and to make inferences

developing and using models develop and/or use models to explain natural phenomena

developing and using models identify limitations of models

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information read and comprehend reading-level-appropriate texts and/or other reliable media

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information communicate scientific information, design ideas, and/or solutions with others

The student will investigate and understand that plants and animals have structures that distinguish them from one another and play vital roles in their ability to survive. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes the survival of plants and animals depends on photosynthesis;

Living Systems and Processes plants and animals have different structures and processes for obtaining energy; and

Living Systems and Processes plants and animals have different structures and processes for creating offspring.

The student will investigate and understand that organisms, including humans, interact with one another and with the nonliving components in the ecosystem. Key ideas include

Living Systems and Processes interrelationships exist in populations, communities, and ecosystems;

Living Systems and Processes food webs show the flow of energy within an ecosystem;

Living Systems and Processes changes in an organism's niche and habitat may occur at various stages in its life cycle; and

Living Systems and Processes classification can be used to identify organisms.

The student will investigate and understand that weather conditions and phenomena affect ecosystems and can be predicted. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems weather measurements create a record that can be used to make weather predictions;

Earth and Space Systems common and extreme weather events affect ecosystems; and

Earth and Space Systems long term seasonal weather trends determine the climate of a region.

The student will investigate and understand that the planets have characteristics and a specific place in the solar system. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems planets rotate on their axes and revolve around the sun;

Earth and Space Systems planets have characteristics and a specific order in the solar system; and

Earth and Space Systems the sizes of the sun and planets can be compared to one another.

The student will investigate and understand that there are relationships among Earth, the moon, and the sun. Key relationships include

Earth and Space Systems the motions of Earth, the moon, and the sun;

Earth and Space Systems the causes for Earth's seasons;

Earth and Space Systems the causes for the four major phases of the moon and the relationship to the tide cycles; and

Earth and Space Systems the relative size, position, age and makeup of Earth, the moon, and the sun.

The student will investigate and understand that the ocean environment has characteristics. Key characteristics include

Earth and Space Systems geology of the ocean floor;

Earth and Space Systems physical properties and movement of ocean water; and

Earth and Space Systems interaction of organisms in the ocean.

The student will investigate and understand that Virginia has important natural resources. Key resources include

Earth Resources watersheds and water;

Earth Resources plants and animals;

Earth Resources minerals, rocks, and ores; and

Earth Resources forests, soil, and land.

asking questions and defining problems ask testable questions based on observations and predict reasonable outcomes based on patterns

asking questions and defining problems develop hypotheses as cause-and-effect relationship

asking questions and defining problems define design problems that can be solved through the development of an object, tool, process, or system

planning and carrying out investigations collaboratively plan and conduct investigations to produce data

planning and carrying out investigations identify independent variable, dependent variables, and constants

planning and carrying out investigations determine data that should be collected to answer a testable question

planning and carrying out investigations take¬ metric measurements using appropriate tools

planning and carrying out investigations use tools and/or materials to design and/or build a device that solves a specific problem

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data represent and analyze data using tables and graphs

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data organize simple data sets to reveal patterns that suggest relationships

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data compare and contrast data collected by different groups and discuss similarities and differences in their findings

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data use data to evaluate and refine design solutions

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations construct and/or support arguments with evidence, data, and/or a model

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations describe how scientific ideas apply to design solutions

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations generate and compare multiple solutions to problems based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints

developing and using models develop models using an analogy, example, or abstract representation to describe a scientific principle or design solution

developing and using models identify limitations of models

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information read and comprehend reading-level-appropriate texts and/or other reliable media

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information communicate scientific information, design ideas, and/or solutions with others

The student will investigate and understand that energy can take many forms. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy energy is the ability to do work or to cause change;

Force, Motion, and Energy there are many different forms of energy;

Force, Motion, and Energy energy can be transformed; and

Force, Motion, and Energy energy is conserved.

The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between force and energy of moving objects. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy moving objects have kinetic energy;

Force, Motion, and Energy motion is described by an object's direction and speed;

Force, Motion, and Energy changes in motion are related to net force and mass;

Force, Motion, and Energy when objects collide, the contact forces transfer energy and can change objects' motion; and

Force, Motion, and Energy friction is a force that opposes motion.

The student will investigate and understand that electricity is transmitted and used in daily life. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy electricity flows easily through conductors but not insulators;

Force, Motion, and Energy electricity flows through closed circuits;

Force, Motion, and Energy static electricity can be generated by rubbing certain materials together;

Force, Motion, and Energy electrical energy can be transformed into radiant, mechanical, and thermal energy; and

Force, Motion, and Energy a current flowing through a wire creates a magnetic field.

The student will investigate and understand that sound can be produced and transmitted. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy sound is produced when an object or substance vibrates;

Force, Motion, and Energy sound is the transfer of energy;

Force, Motion, and Energy different media transmit sound differently; and

Force, Motion, and Energy sound waves have many uses and applications.

The student will investigate and understand that visible light has certain characteristics and behaves in predictable ways. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy visible light is radiant energy that moves in transverse waves;

Force, Motion, and Energy the visible spectrum includes light with different wavelengths;

Force, Motion, and Energy matter influences the path of light; and

Force, Motion, and Energy radiant energy can be transformed into thermal, mechanical, and electrical energy.

The student will investigate and understand that matter has properties and interactions. Key ideas include

Matter matter is composed of atoms;

Matter substances can be mixed together without changes in their physical properties; and

Matter energy has an effect on the phases of matter.

The student will investigate and understand that Earth constantly changes. Key ideas include

Earth's internal energy causes movement of material within the Earth;

Earth and Space Systems plate tectonics describe movement of the crust;

Earth and Space Systems the rock cycle models the transformation of rocks;

Earth and Space Systems processes such as weathering, erosion, and deposition change the surface of the Earth; and

Earth and Space Systems fossils and geologic patterns provide evidence of Earth's change.

The student will investigate and understand that the conservation of energy resources is important. Key ideas include

Earth Resources some sources of energy are considered renewable and others are not;

Earth Resources individuals and communities have means of conserving both energy and matter; and

Earth Resources advances in technology improve the ability to transfer and transform energy.

asking questions and defining problems ask questions to determine relationships between independent and dependent variables

asking questions and defining problems develop hypotheses and identify independent and dependent variables

asking questions and defining problems offer simple solutions to design problems

planning and carrying out investigations independently and collaboratively plan and conduct observational and experimental investigations; identify variables, constants, and controls where appropriate, and include the safe use of chemicals and equipment

planning and carrying out investigations evaluate the accuracy of various methods for collecting data

planning and carrying out investigations take metric measurements using appropriate tools

planning and carrying out investigations use tools and materials to design and/or build a device to solve a specific problem

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data organize data sets to reveal patterns that suggest relationships

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data construct, analyze, and interpret graphical displays of data

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data compare and contrast data collected by different groups and discuss similarities and differences in findings

interpreting, analyzing, and evaluating data use data to evaluate and refine design solutions

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations construct explanations that includes qualitative or quantitative relationships between variables

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations construct scientific explanations based on valid and reliable evidence obtained from sources (including the students' own investigations)

constructing and critiquing conclusions and explanations generate and compare multiple solutions to problems based on how well they meet the criteria and constraints

developing and using models use scale models to represent and estimate distance

developing and using models use, develop, and revise models to predict and explain phenomena

developing and using models evaluate limitations of models

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information read scientific texts, including those adapted for classroom use, to obtain scientific and/or technical information

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information gather, read, and synthesize information from multiple appropriate sources and assess the credibility, accuracy, and possible bias of each publication

obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information construct, use, and/or present an argument supported by empirical evidence and scientific reasoning

The student will investigate and understand that the solar system is organized and the various bodies in the solar system interact. Key ideas include

Earth and Space Systems matter is distributed throughout the solar system;

Earth and Space Systems planets have different sizes and orbit at different distances from the sun;

Earth and Space Systems gravity contributes to orbital motion; and

Earth and Space Systems the understanding of the solar system has developed over time.

The student will investigate and understand that there is a relationship between the sun, Earth, and the moon. Key ideas include

Earth has unique properties;

Earth and Space Systems the rotation of Earth in relationship to the sun causes day and night;

Earth and Space Systems the movement of Earth and the moon in relationship to the sun causes phases of the moon;

Earth's tilt as it revolves around the sun causes the seasons; and

Earth and Space Systems the relationship between Earth and the moon is the primary cause of tides.

The student will investigate and understand that there are basic sources of energy and that energy can be transformed. Key ideas include

Force, Motion, and Energy the sun is important in the formation of most energy sources on Earth;

Earth's energy budget relates to living systems and Earth's processes;

Force, Motion, and Energy radiation, conduction, and convection distribute energy; and

Force, Motion, and Energy energy transformations are important in energy usage.

The student will investigate and understand that all matter is composed of atoms. Key ideas include

Matter atoms consist of particles, including electrons, protons, and neutrons;

Matter atoms of a particular element are similar but differ from atoms of other elements;

Matter elements may be represented by chemical symbols;