Science

Instructor: Beth Lemire

Habitats become relevant as first grade students learn about human houses and homes in their classroom social studies unit. They gain understanding of animal adaptations in their environment and make comparisons of the way humans make their homes and the way animals make their homes. They formulate questions and create tiny homes for animals and insects outdoors.

In the winter months, children study three states of matter: solid, liquid and gas as they pertain to water. Some days we go out to the snow or ice other days we bring it inside to study. Children look at snow and ice with a magnifying glass catching snowflakes on black paper.

The study of simple machines continues. Building upon knowledge gained from Kindergarten the children begin to use wheels and axles with inclined planes and small cars.

First graders begin to notice patterns in nature. Noting the life cycle of the Monarch butterfly in the fall and the life cycle of bean plants in the spring the similarities begin to emerge. This lends itself to making charts and Venn diagrams. Children each plant two bean seeds. One plant goes home when it has grown and the other one becomes part of our organic garden for all to share. The life cycles continue with hatching baby chicks and ducks. They compare feet and beaks and discuss why such similar animals would have different beaks and feet. They record their discoveries by writing and drawing in age appropriate ways.

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"THE SPECIALS" BY GRADE LEVEL

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Mailing Address: 315 East Palisade Avenue Englewood, NJ 07631

gps: 81 Lincoln Street, Englewood, NJ 07631

201-569-9500 Email: d-e@d-e.org

Located in Englewood, New Jersey, Dwight-Englewood is a greater New York City area private school with a rigorous college prep curriculum for boys and girls in preschool through grade 12.