Kindergarten Science TEKS

(K.1)  Scientific and Engineering Practices (Investigations)

The student asks questions, identifies problems, and plans and safely conducts classroom, laboratory, and field investigations to answer questions, explain phenomena, or design solutions using appropriate tools and models. The student is expected to:

(A) ask questions and define problems based on observations or information from text, phenomena, models, or investigations;

(B) use scientific practices to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations and use engineering practices to design solutions to problems;

(C) identify, describe, and demonstrate safe practices during classroom and field investigations as outlined in Texas Education Agency-approved safety standards;

(D) use tools, including hand lenses, goggles, trays, cups, bowls, sieves or sifters, notebooks, terrariums, aquariums, samples (rocks, sand, soil, loam, gravel, clay, seeds, and plants), windsock, demonstration thermometer, rain gauge, straws, ribbons, non-standard measuring items, blocks or cubes, tuning fork, various flashlights, small paper cups, items that roll, noise makers, hot plate, opaque objects, transparent objects, foil pie pans, foil muffin cups, wax paper, Sun-Moon-Earth model, and plant life cycle model to observe, measure, test, and compare;

(E) collect observations and measurements as evidence;

(F) record and organize data using pictures, numbers, words, symbols, and simple graphs; and 

(G) develop and use models to represent phenomena, objects, and processes or design a prototype for a solution to a problem.

(K.3) Scientific and Engineering Practices (Explanations)

The student develops evidence-based explanations and communicates findings, conclusions, and proposed solutions. The student is expected to:

(A) develop explanations and propose solutions supported by data and models;

(B) communicate explanations and solutions individually and collaboratively in a variety of settings and formats; and

(C) listen actively to others' explanations to identify important evidence and engage respectfully in scientific discussion.

(K.5) Recurring Themes and Concepts

The student uses recurring themes and concepts to make connections across disciplines. The student is expected to:

(A) identify and use patterns to describe phenomena or design solutions;

(B) investigate and predict cause-and-effect relationships in science;

(C) describe the properties of objects in terms of relative size (scale) and relative quantity;

(D) examine the parts of a whole to define or model a system;

(E) identify forms of energy and properties of matter;

(F) describe the relationship between the structure and function of objects, organisms, and systems; and

(G) describe how factors or conditions can cause objects, organisms, and systems to either change or stay the same.

(K.7) Force, Motion, and Energy (Magnets)

The student knows that forces cause changes in motion and position in everyday life. The student is expected to describe and predict how a magnet interacts with various materials and how magnets can be used to push or pull.

(A) describe and predict how a magnet interacts with various materials and how magnets can be used to push or pull.

(K.9) Earth and Space (Objects in the Sky)

The student knows that there are recognizable patterns in the natural world and among objects in the sky. The student is expected to:

(A) identify, describe, and predict the patterns of day and night and their observable characteristics; and

(B) observe, describe, and illustrate the Sun, Moon, stars, and objects in the sky such as clouds.

(K.11) Earth and space.  (Uses for Rocks, Soil, Water)

The student knows that earth materials are important to everyday life. The student is expected to observe and generate examples of practical uses for rocks, soil, and water.

(A) observe and generate examples of practical uses for rocks, soil, and water.

(K.13) Organisms and Environments  (Structure of Plants & Animals)

The student knows that organisms resemble their parents and have structures and undergo processes that help them interact and survive within their environments. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the structures of plants, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits;

(B) identify the different structures that animals have that allow them to interact with their environment such as seeing, hearing, moving, and grasping objects;

(C) identify and record the changes from seed, seedling, plant, flower, and fruit in a simple plant life cycle; and

(D) identify ways that young plants resemble the parent plant.