(PreK-2) M2

Science Curriculum Preview Committee Clarification of Learning Results

Revised 07/01/04

K-2

M2: Describe at least two inventions, what they do, how they work, and how they have made life easier.

Curriculum Organizing Questions

What does this invention do?

How does this invention work?

How has this invention changed people's lives?

Elaboration
Design projects give students interesting opportunities to solve problems, use tools well, measure thuings carefully, make reasonable estimations, calculate accurately, and communicate clearly. And projects also let students ponder the effects their inventions might have. Benchmarks p. 54.

Specific Ideas

People, alone or in groups, are always inventing new ways to solve problems and get work done. The tools and ways of doing things that people have invented affect all aspects of life.Benchmarks 3C1.

Inventions often affect other people; sometimes the effects are good and sometimes they are bad. It is helpful to try to determine in advance how ideas and inventions will affect other people. NSES F5a.

Tools are used to do things better and more easily and to do some things that could not otherwise be done at all. In technology, tools are used to observe, measure, and make things. Benchmarks 3A1.

Developmental & Instructional Implications
Suitable tasks for this age whould have clearly defined purposes and be aligned with other content standards. Tasks should be conducted within the familiar contexts of home and school.

Over the course of grades K-2 student investigations should incorporate more than one material and several contexts in science and technology. NSES p. 137.

Students at this level are old enough to see that solving some problems may lead to other problems, but the social impact matters should not be presseed too hard now. Benchmarks p. 54.

Examples
Children can study technological products and systems in their world--zippers, coat hooks, can openers, bridges, and automobiles.They can study products to determine function and try to identify problems solved, materials used, and how well a product does wthat it is supposed to do. An old technological device, like an apple peeler, can be used as a mystery object for students to investigate and figure out what it does, how it helps people, and what problems it might solve and cause. Such activities provide excellent opportunities to direct attention to specific technology--the tools and instruments used in science. NSES p. 135.

Back to Big Ideas Grid M Back to Standard M Back to Index

Curriculum Organizing Questions	What does this invention do? How does this invention work? How has this invention changed people's lives?
Elaboration	Design projects give students interesting opportunities to solve problems, use tools well, measure thuings carefully, make reasonable estimations, calculate accurately, and communicate clearly. And projects also let students ponder the effects their inventions might have. Benchmarks p. 54.
Specific Ideas	People, alone or in groups, are always inventing new ways to solve problems and get work done. The tools and ways of doing things that people have invented affect all aspects of life.Benchmarks 3C1. Inventions often affect other people; sometimes the effects are good and sometimes they are bad. It is helpful to try to determine in advance how ideas and inventions will affect other people. NSES F5a. Tools are used to do things better and more easily and to do some things that could not otherwise be done at all. In technology, tools are used to observe, measure, and make things. Benchmarks 3A1.
Developmental & Instructional Implications	Suitable tasks for this age whould have clearly defined purposes and be aligned with other content standards. Tasks should be conducted within the familiar contexts of home and school. Over the course of grades K-2 student investigations should incorporate more than one material and several contexts in science and technology. NSES p. 137. Students at this level are old enough to see that solving some problems may lead to other problems, but the social impact matters should not be presseed too hard now. Benchmarks p. 54.
Examples	Children can study technological products and systems in their world--zippers, coat hooks, can openers, bridges, and automobiles.They can study products to determine function and try to identify problems solved, materials used, and how well a product does wthat it is supposed to do. An old technological device, like an apple peeler, can be used as a mystery object for students to investigate and figure out what it does, how it helps people, and what problems it might solve and cause. Such activities provide excellent opportunities to direct attention to specific technology--the tools and instruments used in science. NSES p. 135.