The NGSS in California

From Molecules to Organisms: Structures and Processes

• K-LS1-1 Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

  • What do animals need to survive? (K-G.1)
  • What do plants need to survive? (K-H.1)

Earth's Systems

• K-ESS2-1 Use and share observations of local weather conditions to describe patterns over time.

  • Describe the weather (K-M.1)
  • Weather patterns (K-M.4)

• K-ESS2-2 Construct an argument supported by evidence for how plants and animals (including humans) can change the environment to meet their needs.

  • How do living things change their environments to meet their needs? (K-J.1)
  • How do gray squirrels change the forest to meet their needs? (K-J.2)

Earth and Human Activity

• K-ESS3-1 Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

  • What do animals need to survive? (K-G.1)
  • Where do dromedary camels and polar bears live? (K-G.4)
  • Where do giraffes and beavers live? (K-G.5)
  • Where do whale sharks and tree frogs live? (K-G.6)
  • What do plants need to survive? (K-H.1)
  • Where do water lilies and saguaros live? (K-H.6)
  • Where do bearberries and powdery strap air plants live? (K-H.7)
  • Where do turtle grass and giant sequoias live? (K-H.8)

• K-ESS3-2 Ask questions to obtain information about the purpose of weather forecasting to prepare for, and respond to, severe weather.

  • Severe weather: blizzards (K-M.5)
  • Severe weather: tornadoes (K-M.6)
  • Severe weather: hurricanes (K-M.7)

• K-ESS3-3 Communicate solutions that will reduce the impact of humans on the land, water, air, and/or other living things in the local environment.

  • Reduce, reuse, recycle (K-L.1)

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

• K-PS2-1 Plan and conduct an investigation to compare the effects of different strengths or different directions of pushes and pulls on the motion of an object.

  • Push and pull (K-F.1)
  • Investigate pushes and pulls (K-F.2)

• K-PS2-2 Analyze data to determine if a design solution works as intended to change the speed or direction of an object with a push or a pull.

  • Design a race car track (K-O.1)

Energy

• K-PS3-1 Make observations to determine the effect of sunlight on Earth's surface.

  • Investigate sunlight and shade (K-M.2)

• K-PS3-2 Use tools and materials to design and build a structure that will reduce the warming effect of sunlight on an area.

  • Design a sunshade (K-O.2)

Engineering Design

• K-2-ETS1-1 Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.

  • Design a race car track (K-O.1)
  • Design a sunshade (K-O.2)

• K-2-ETS1-2 Develop a simple sketch, drawing, or physical model to illustrate how the shape of an object helps it function as needed to solve a given problem.

  • Design a race car track (K-O.1)
  • Design a sunshade (K-O.2)

• K-2-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.

  • Design a race car track (K-O.1)
  • Design a sunshade (K-O.2)