Kindergarten Science Mississippi standards Standards

Earth and Space Science

Physical Science

Life Science

Earth's Resources

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how humans use Earth's resources.

Participate in a teacher-led activity to gather, organize and record recyclable materials data on a chart or table using technology. Communicate results.

With teacher guidance, develop questions to conduct a structured investigation to determine ways to conserve Earth's resources (i.e., reduce, reuse, and recycle) and communicate results.

Create a product from the reused materials that will meet a human need (e.g., pencil holder, musical instrument, bird feeder). Use an engineering design process to define the problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve the product.

Earth and the Universe

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the pattern of seasonal changes on the Earth.

Construct an explanation of the pattern of the Earth's seasonal changes in the environment using evidence from observations.

Students will demonstrate an understanding that the Sun provides the Earth with heat and light.

With teacher guidance, generate and answer questions to develop a simple model, which describes observable patterns of sunlight on the Earth's surface (day and night).

With teacher guidance, develop questions to conduct a structured investigation to determine how sunlight affects the temperature of the Earth's natural resources (e.g., sand, soil, rocks, and water).

Develop a device (i.e., umbrella, shade structure, or hat) which would reduce heat from the sun (temperature) using an engineering design process to define the problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve the device.

Hierarchical Organization

Students will demonstrate an understanding of living and nonliving things.

With teacher guidance, conduct an investigation of living organisms and nonliving objects in various real-world environments to define characteristics of living organisms that distinguish them from nonliving things (e.g., playground, garden, school grounds).

With teacher support, gain an understanding that scientists are humans who use observations to learn about the natural world. Obtain information from informational text or other media about scientists who have made important observations about living things (e.g. Carl Linnaeus, John James Audubon, Jane Goodall).

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how animals (including humans) use their physical features and their senses to learn about their environment.

Develop and use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to (a) obtain food and other resources, (b) protect themselves, and (c) move from place to place.

Identify and describe examples of how animals use their sensory body parts (eyes to detect light and movement, ears to detect sound, skin to detect temperature and touch, tongue to taste, and nose to detect smell).

Reproduction and Heredity

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how living things change in form as they go through the general stages of a life cycle.

Use informational text or other media to make observations about plants as they change during the life cycle (e.g., germination, growth, reproduction, and death) and use models (e.g., drawing, writing, dramatization, or technology) to communicate findings.

Construct explanations using observations to describe and model the life cycle (birth, growth, adulthood, death) of a familiar mammal (e.g., dog, squirrel, rabbit, deer).

With teacher guidance, conduct a structured investigation to observe and measure (comparison of lengths) the changes in various individuals of a single plant species from seed germination to adult plant. Record observations using drawing or writing.

Use observations to explain that young plants and animals are like but not exactly like their parents (i.e., puppies look similar, but not exactly like their parents).

Ecology and Interdependence

Students will demonstrate an understanding of what animals and plants need to live and grow.

With teacher guidance, conduct a structured investigation to determine what plants need to live and grow (water, light, and a place to grow). Measure growth by directly comparing plants with other objects.

Construct explanations using observations to describe and report what animals need to live and grow (food, water, shelter, and space).

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the interdependence of living things and the environment in which they live.

Observe and communicate that animals get food from plants or other animals. Plants make their own food and need light to live and grow.

Create a model habitat which demonstrates interdependence of plants and animals using an engineering design process to define the problem, design, construct, evaluate, and improve the habitat.

Adaptations and Diversity

Students will demonstrate an understanding that some groups of plants and animals are no longer living (extinct) because they were unable to meet their needs for survival.

Obtain information from informational text or other media to document and report examples of different plants or animals that are extinct.

Observe and report how some present-day animals resemble extinct animals (i.e., elephants resemble wooly mammoths).

Organization of Matter and Chemical Interactions

Students will demonstrate an understanding of the solid and liquid states of matter.

Generate questions and investigate the differences between liquids and solids and develop awareness that a liquid can become a solid and vice versa.

Describe and compare the properties of different materials (e.g., wood, plastic, metal, cloth, paper) and classify these materials by their observable characteristics (visual, aural, or natural textural) and by their physical properties (weight, volume, solid or liquid, and sink or float).

Students will demonstrate an understanding of how solid objects can be constructed from a smaller set.

Use basic shapes and spatial reasoning to model large objects in the environment using a set of small objects (e.g., blocks, construction sets).

Analyze a large composite structure to describe its smaller components using drawing and writing.

Explain why things may not work the same if some of the parts are missing.

Impacts of Computing

Algorithms and Programming

Data and Analysis

Networks and the Internet

Computing Systems

Conceptual understanding: An algorithm is a sequence of steps designed to accomplish a specific task. Algorithms are translated into programs, or code, to provide instructions for computing devices. Algorithms and programming control all computing systems, empowering people to communicate with the world in new ways and solve compelling problems. The development process to create meaningful and efficient programs involves choosing which information to use and how to process and store it, breaking apart large problems into smaller ones, recombining existing solutions, and analyzing different solutions.

Students should be able to create and follow algorithms. For example, students could create and follow algorithms for making simple foods, brushing their teeth, getting ready for school, participating in cleanup time. Students may demonstrate understanding visually, orally, or in writing.

Model daily processes by creating and following algorithms (sets of step-by-step instructions) to complete tasks. [ALGORITHMS] (P4.4) Composition is the combination of smaller tasks into more complex tasks.

Students should be able to model data storage and manipulation by using representative symbols. For example, students could use thumbs up/down as representations of yes/no, use arrows when writing algorithms to represent direction, or encode and decode words using numbers, pictographs, or other symbols to represent letters or words.

Model the way programs store and manipulate data by using numbers or other symbols to represent information. [VARIABLES] (P4.4) Information in the real world can be represented in computer programs.

Students should be able to express ideas or address problems by developing programs with sequences and simple loops.

Develop programs with sequences and simple loops to express ideas or address a problem. [CONTROL] (P5.2) Programming is used as a tool to create products that reflect a wide range of interests. Control structures specify the order in which instructions are executed within a program. Sequences are the order of instructions in a program. For example, if dialogue is not sequenced correctly when programming a simple animated story, the story will not make sense. If the commands to program a robot are not in the correct order, the robot will not complete the task desired. Loops allow for the repetition of a sequence of code multiple times. For example, in a program to show the life cycle of a butterfly, a loop could be combined with move commands to allow continual but controlled movement of the character.

Students should be able to break down the steps needed to solve a problem into a precise sequence of instructions. For example, students could break down the steps needed to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, to brush their teeth, to draw a shape, to move a character across the screen, or to solve a level of a coding app. Students may demonstrate understanding visually, orally, or in writing.

Decompose (break down) the steps needed to solve a problem into a precise sequence of instructions. [MODULARITY] (P3.2) Decomposition is the act of breaking down tasks into simpler tasks.

Students should be able to develop and visually illustrate the plan for what a program will do. For example, students could create a planning document, such as a story map, a storyboard, or a sequential graphic organizer, to illustrate what their program will do. Students at this stage may complete the planning process with help from their teachers.

Develop plans that describe a program’s sequence of events, goals, and expected outcomes. [PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT] (P5.1, P7.2) Creating a plan for what a program will do clarifies the steps that will be needed to create a program and can be used to check if a program is correct.

Students should credit artifacts that were created by others, such as pictures, music, and code. Credit could be given orally, if presenting their work to the class, or in writing, if sharing work on a class blog or website. Proper attribution at this stage does not require a formal citation, such as in a bibliography or works cited document.

Give attribution when using the ideas and creations of others while developing programs. [PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT] (P7.3) Using computers comes with a level of responsibility.

Students should be able to use various strategies, such as changing the sequence of the steps, following the algorithm in a step-by-step manner, or trial and error to fix problems in algorithms and programs.

Debug (identify and fix) errors in an algorithm or program that includes sequences and simple loops. [PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT] (P6.2) Algorithms or programs may not always work correctly.

Using correct terminology, describe steps taken and choices made during the iterative process of program development. [PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT] (P7.2)

Students should be able to talk or write about the goals and expected outcomes of the programs they create and the choices that they made when creating programs. This could be done using coding journals, discussions with a teacher, class presentations, or blogs.

Conceptual understanding: People interact with a wide variety of computing devices that collect, store, analyze, and act upon information in ways that can affect human capabilities both positively and negatively. The physical components (hardware) and instructions (software) that make up a computing system communicate and process information in digital form. An understanding of hardware and software is useful when troubleshooting a computing system that does not work as intended.

Select and operate appropriate software to perform a variety of tasks, and recognize that users have different needs and preferences for the technology they use. [DEVICES] (P1.1)

Students should be able to select the appropriate app/program to use for tasks they are required to complete. For example, if students are asked to draw a picture, they should be able to open and use a drawing app/program to complete this task, or if they are asked to create a presentation, they should be able to open and use presentation software.

With teacher guidance, students should compare and discuss preferences for software with the same primary functionality. Students could compare different web browsers or word processing, presentation, or drawing programs

Use appropriate terminology in identifying and describing the function of common physical components of computing systems (hardware). [HARDWARE & SOFTWARE] (P7.2) A computing system is composed of hardware and software. Hardware consists of physical components.

Students should be able to identify and describe the function of external hardware, such as desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet devices, monitors, keyboards, mice, and printers.

Describe basic hardware and software problems using accurate terminology. [TROUBLESHOOTING] (P6.2, P7.2)

Students should be able to communicate a problem with accurate terminology (e.g., when an app or program is not working as expected, a device will not turn on, the sound does not work, etc.). Ideally, students would be able to use simple troubleshooting strategies, including turning a device off and on to reboot it, closing and reopening an app, turning on speakers, or plugging in headphones. These are, however, not specified in the standard, because these problems may not occur.

Conceptual understanding: Computing systems exist to process data. The amount of digital data generated in the world is rapidly expanding, so the need to process data effectively is increasingly important. Data is collected and stored so that it can be analyzed to better understand the world and make more accurate predictions.

Students should be able to manipulate data through their use of software to complete tasks on a computing device. For example, saving a file, retrieving a file, deleting a file are all instances of manipulating data.

Store, copy, search, retrieve, modify, and delete information using a computing device and define the information stored as data. [STORAGE] (P4.2) All information stored and processed by a computing device is referred to as data. Data can be images, text documents, audio files, software programs or apps, video files, etc.

Students should be able to collect data. For example, students could collect data on the weather, such as sunny days versus rainy days, the temperature at the beginning of the school day and end of the school day, or the inches of rain over the course of a storm. Students could count the number of pieces of each color of candy in a bag of candy, such as Skittles or M&Ms. Students could create surveys of things that interest them, such as favorite foods, pets, or TV shows, and collect answers to their surveys from their peers and others.

Students should be able to present data in various visual formats. For example, the data collected could be organized into two or more visualizations, such as a bar graph, pie chart, or pictograph.

Collect and present the same data in various visual formats. [COLLECTION, VISUALIZATION, & TRANSFORMATION] (P7.1, P4.4) The collection and use of data about the world around them is a routine part of life and influences how people live.

Identify and describe patterns in data visualizations, such as charts or graphs, to make predictions. [INFERENCEE & MODELS] (P4.1) All data can be used to make inferences or predictions about the world.

Students should be able to analyze data in visual formats. For example, students could analyze a graph or pie chart of the colors in a bag of candy or the averages for colors in multiple bags of candy. Students could analyze graphs of temperatures taken at the beginning of the school day and end of the school day.

Students should be able to identify patterns and make predictions based on the patterns. For example, students could identify the patterns for which colors are most and least represented in bags of candy, and then make a prediction as to which colors will have most and least in a new bag of candy. Students could identify the patterns of when temperatures rise and fall, and predict if they think the temperature will rise or fall at a particular time of the day, based on the pattern observed.

Conceptual understanding: Computing affects many aspects of the world in both positive and negative ways at local, national, and global levels. Individuals and communities influence computing through their behaviors and cultural and social interactions, and in turn, computing influences new cultural practices. An informed and responsible person should understand the social implications of the digital world, including equity and access to computing.

Students should be able to compare how people live and work before and after the implementation or adoption of new computing technology.

Compare how people live and work before and after the implementation or adoption of new computing technology. [CULTURE] (P7.0) Computing technology has positively and negatively changed the way people live and work. In the past, if students wanted to read about a topic, they needed access to a library to find a book about it. Today, students can view and read information on the Internet about a topic or they can download e-books about it directly to a device. Such information may be available in more than one language and could be read to a student, allowing for great accessibility.

Students should demonstrate understanding of how to work with others online in a respectful and responsible way. Students could share their work on blogs or in other collaborative spaces online, taking care to avoid sharing information that is inappropriate or that could personally identify them to others.

Students should be able to identify cyberbullying. Students could provide feedback to others on their work in a kind and respectful manner and could tell an adult if others are sharing things they should not share or are treating others in an unkind or disrespectful manner on online collaborative spaces.

Work respectfully and responsibly with others online. [SOCIAL INTERACTIONS] (P2.1) Online communication facilitates positive interactions, such as sharing ideas with many people, but the public and anonymous nature of online communication also allows intimidating and inappropriate behavior in the form of cyberbullying.

Students should understand that some things like login details, their address, and other personally identifying information is private (secret).

Students should know to always log off properly on any device used.

Keep login information private and log off of devices appropriately. [SAFETY, LAW, & ETHICS] (P7.3) People use computing technology in ways that can help or hurt themselves or others. Harmful behaviors, such as sharing private information and leaving public devices logged in, should be recognized and avoided.

Conceptual understanding: Computing devices typically do not operate in isolation. Networks connect computing devices to share information and resources and are an increasingly integral part of computing. Networks and communication systems provide greater connectivity in the computing world by providing fast, secure communication and facilitating innovation.

Explain what passwords are and why we use them. [CYBERSECURITY] (P7.3) Learning to protect one's device or information from unwanted use by others is an essential first step in learning about cybersecurity. They should appropriately use and protect the passwords they are required to use.

Students should understand that computers connect them to people, places, and things around the world. [NETWORK COMMUNICATION & ORGANIZATION] (P7.3)