Core Kits for Kindergarten - Grade 2
Kindergarten Science Kits
Abbreviations for Series:
FOSS = Full Option Science System, a series of units developed with NSF funding by Lawrence Hall of Science at University of California, Berkeley, and currently published by Delta Education.
GEMS = Great Explorations in Math and Science, a series of activity based teacher's guides and handbooks developed and published by Lawrence Hall of Science at University of California, Berkeley.
Animals Two by Two of FOSS Life
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 30k, May 20, 2005)
Kit Inventory
Students observe and describe the structures and behavior of an organism and then compare the organism to a similar one: guppies and goldfish, land snails and water snails, and earthworms and night crawlers.
Wood & Paper of FOSS Earth
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 40k, June 27, 2005)
Kit Inventory
Students observe, compare, and describe natural and synthetic materials such as wood, paper, and fabric, and find out what happens when these materials interact with other materials. Students discover applications for the materials in the real world.
Grade 1-2 Physical Science Kits
Balance and Motion of FOSS Physical
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 45k, June 27, 2005)
Assessment (PDF, 1MB, July 27, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students explore stable (balanced) and unstable systems, using counterweighing to change the center of mass of the systems. They explore two classes of motion-spinning and rolling-first through trial and error, and later through systematic explorations. Students begin to develop a sense of variables, which they control to produce desired outcomes.
Solids and Liquids of FOSS Physical
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 40k, June 27, 2005)
Assessment (PDF, 2MB, July 27. 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students find that materials can exist in different states of matter-solid, liquid, and gas. They investigate and describe the properties of solids and liquids and observe and record changes that occur when solids and liquids interact, including mixing, dissolving, layering, and evaporating.
Grade 1-2 Earth Science Kits
Air & Weather of FOSS Earth
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 30k, March 27, 2006)
Assessment (PDF, 2MB, July 31, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students study the properties of air and find that it is matter and takes up space. They use basic weather tools to gather information about temperature, rainfall, wind, and clouds. Students observe movement of objects in the air, including clouds and objects affected by moving air.
Pebbles, Sand, and Silt of FOSS Earth
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 30k, 3/27/2006)
Assessment (PDF, 2MB, 7/31/06)
Kit Inventory
Students study the properties of rocks and soil. They group and seriate rocks on the basis of single, observable properties, and learn simple ways to sort rocks using tools such as screens and techniques such as mixing with water. They study properties of different kinds of soils and explore natural resources as building materials.
Grade 1-2 Life Science Kits
New Plants of FOSS Life
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 50k, April 5, 2005)
Assessment (PDF, 2.6MB, July 27, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students experience the diversity of life in the plant kingdom. They observe the structures of flowering plants and discover the ways to propagate new plants from mature plants (from seeds, bulbs, roots, cuttings). They observe and describe changes that occur as plants grow and develop, and organize their observations on a calendar and in a journal.
Insects of FOSS Life
Grade Level Expectations (PDF, 30k, March 27, 2006)
Assessment (PDF, 1.2MB, July 27, 2006)
Kit Inventory
Students observe and compare insect structures and behaviors in different stages of the life cycle of a variety of insects (darkling beetles, milkweed bugs, wax moths, silk moths, painted lady butterflies, crickets). They discuss and record findings, and pose questions to be resolved.