Curriculum Connection
K-5 Science and/or Social Studies -January 2024
Kindergarten Social Studies
In this unit, students will learn about historical figures and their contributions which led to the creation of national holidays. Students will learn how national holidays are different than popular holidays like Halloween and Valentine’s Day. In January, students will learn about Martin Luther King, Jr.
1st Grade Social Studies
In this unit, students will be able to describe producers and consumers and their relationship with goods and services in the school and community.
During January, students will also learn more about the contributions of Martin Luther King, Jr.
2nd Grade Science
Mapping Our World
In this scope, students learn that maps show where things are located. One can map the shapes and kinds of land and water in any area.
Explore 1: Activity- Map the Classroom
In this activity, the teacher has models of landforms set up in the classroom, and students create a map of the area.
Explore 2: Engineering Solution- Real Estate Model
Students construct a model of a neighborhood using criteria and constraints and representing landforms and bodies of water.
In this scope, students learn that water is found in the ocean, rivers, lakes, and ponds. Water exists as solid ice and in liquid form.
Explore 1: Activity: Water All Around
Students create a model to show why water forms where it does.
Explore 2: Research- Water on Earth
Students will gather information from multiple sources to learn about different bodies of water.
3rd Grade Science and Social Studies
Science Unit 2: Life Science Part 2: Environmental Traits
Social Studies Unit 3: Missouri and the Civil War
Enduring Understanding/Big Ideas:
● Students will be able to identify and explain the major purposes of the Missouri Constitution.
● Students will be able to explain how Missouri became a state. This could include the issues Missouri encountered when becoming a state.
● Students will be able to explain Missouri’s role in the Civil War; This includes the concept of Missouri being a border state (state forms the division between the free and slave states) and how Missourians had divided loyalties.
● Students will be able to give events that led to the Dred Scott case, explain the Dred Scott decision, and describe the consequences of the Dred Scott case on Missouri and the nation.
4th Grade Social Studies
Social Studies Unit 3: Causes of the American Revolution
Overview of Unit: The purpose of this unit is to build background knowledge of the causes of the American Revolution, starting with the French and Indian War. Students will be able to explain causes of The American Revolution, including the perspectives of different groups involved. Students will also identify significant individuals to America prior to 1800.
Enduring Understanding/Big Ideas:
● I can identify and describe the contributions of significant individuals to America prior to 1800.
● I can explain the causes of the American Revolution by looking at the perspectives of patriots, loyalists, Native Americans, African Americans and European allies.
5th Grade Science: Unit 3: Physical Science
Earth's Systems Interactions
How do the organisms, land, air and water interact in an environment?
Explore 1: The Four Spheres of Earth
Students work in groups to build a diorama highlighting the different spheres in Earth.
Explore 2: System Interactions
Students move through stations to identify and describe the relationships between the atmosphere, biospheres, geosphere, and hydrosphere.
Explore 3: Modeling the Systems
Students work in groups to design a model illustrating how two of the following systems interact: the atmosphere, the biosphere, the geosphere, and the hydrosphere.
Water Sources
Student Wondering:
How are so many different kinds of animals able to live in the ocean?
Explore 1: The Four Spheres of Earth
Students make a diorama of the 4 spheres of the earth.
Explore 2: Ocean Ecosystems
Students match organisms to which ocean ecosystem they belong in.
Reducing Human Footprint
Student Wondering:
Students should create a poster and an infomercial that models the distribution of water on Earth.
Explore 1: The Fertilizer We Use
Students will use a model to observe what happens to the soil that grows the food we eat and to the underground drinking water when chemicals are added during farming.
Explore 2: Acid Rain
Students must investigate the effects of acid rain by simulating the process, using chalk, water, and vinegar.
Explore 3: Saving Earth
Students gather research from multiple sources to determine what their community is currently doing to prevent pollution and save our Earth. Students will also research how people can help in this process and suggest at least two new things the community could implement to further its success in reducing the current human footprint.
Explore 4: NASA Needs Our Help!
Students will design a space-trash collector to clean up Earth’s outer atmosphere.
Jennifer Wiley: K-2 Curriculum Specialist
Email: wileyj@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: www.parkhill.k12.mo.us
Location: 7703 Northwest Barry Road, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-359-6253
Twitter: @icjenwiley
Kim Fette: 3-5 Curriculum Specialist
Email: fettek@parkhill.k12.mo.us
Website: parkhill.k12.mo.us
Location: 7703 Northwest Barry Road, Kansas City, MO, USA
Phone: 816-359-5750
Twitter: @kimElemCoach