2014-2015 Unit Studies
- August- Life Science - Plant Growth and Development - Andrea H and Angela W
- September- Social Studies- Native American Cultures- Ja'Near G
- October- Social Studies- Historical Figures Part I- Andrea H
- November- Physical Science- Angela W
- December- Social Studies- International Festival- Samantha V
- January- Social Studies- African American Historical Figure Part II- Andrea H
- February- Social Studies- Topology- Andrea H
- March- Life Science -Animals - Samantha V
- April- Earth Science - Marta S
- May- Social Studies- Economics- Jasmine R.
- June- Awards Ceremony & Yearbooks - Andrea H
- July- Vacation :)
Here are the standards we are working with for our unit studies from Georgia's First Grade Science and Second Grade Social Studies:
Physical Science
S1P1. Students will investigate light and sound.
a. Recognize sources of light.
b. Explain how shadows are made.
c. Investigate how vibrations produce sound.
d. Differentiate between various sounds in terms of (pitch) high or low and (volume) loud or soft.
e. Identify emergency sounds and sounds that help us stay safe.
S1P2. Students will demonstrate effects of magnets on other magnets and other objects.
a. Demonstrate how magnets attract and repel.
b. Identify common objects that are attracted to a magnet.
c. Identify objects and materials (air, water, wood, paper, your hand, etc.) that do not block magnetic force.
Earth Science
S1E1. Students will observe, measure, and communicate weather data to see patterns in weather and climate.
a. Identify different types of weather and the characteristics of each type.
b. Investigate weather by observing, measuring with simple weather instruments (thermometer, wind vane, rain gauge), and recording weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) in a periodic journal or on a calendar seasonally.
c. Correlate weather data (temperature, precipitation, sky conditions, and weather events) to seasonal changes.
S1E2. Students will observe and record changes in water as it relates to weather.
a. Recognize changes in water when it freezes (ice) and when it melts (water).
b. Identify forms of precipitation such as rain, snow, sleet, and hailstones as either solid (ice) or liquid (water).
c. Determine that the weight of water before freezing, after freezing, and after melting stays the same.
d. Determine that water in an open container disappears into the air over time, but water in a closed container does not.
Life Science
S1L1. Students will investigate the characteristics and basic needs of plants and animals.
a. Identify the basic needs of a plant.
1. Air
2. Water
3. Light
4. Nutrients
b. Identify the basic needs of an animal.
1. Air
2. Water
3. Food
4. Shelter
c. Identify the parts of a plant—root, stem, leaf, and flower.
d. Compare and describe various animals—appearance, motion, growth, basic needs.
Historical Figures
SS2H1 The student will read about and describe the lives of historical figures in Georgia history.
a. Identify the contributions made by these historic figures: James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove (founding of Georgia); Sequoyah (development of a Cherokee alphabet); Jackie Robinson (sports); Martin Luther King, Jr. (civil rights); Jimmy Carter (leadership and human rights).
b. Describe how everyday life of these historical figures is similar to and different from everyday life in the present (food, clothing, homes, transportation, communication, recreation, rights, and freedoms).
Creek and Cherokee Cultures
SS2H2 The student will describe the Georgia Creek and Cherokee cultures of the past in terms of tools, clothing, homes, ways of making a living, and accomplishments.
a. Describe the regions in Georgia where the Creeks and Cherokees lived and how the people used their local resources.
b. Compare and contrast the Georgia Creek and Cherokee cultures of the past to Georgians today.
SS2G2 The student will describe the cultural and geographic systems associated with the historical figures in SS2H1 and Georgia’s Creeks and Cherokees.
a. Identify specific locations significant to the life and times of each historic figure on a political map.
b. Describe how place (physical and human characteristics) had an impact on the lives of each historic figure.
c. Describe how each historic figure adapted to and was influenced by his/her environment.
d. Trace examples of travel and movement of these historic figures and their ideas across time.
e. Describe how the region in which these historic figures lived affected their lives and compare these regions to the region in which the students live.
Geographic Understandings- Topology
SS2G1 The student will locate major topographical features of Georgia and will describe how these features define Georgia’s surface.
a. Locate all the geographic regions of Georgia: Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau.
b. Locate the major rivers: Ocmulgee, Oconee, Altamaha, Savannah, St. Mary’s, Chattahoochee, and Flint. One Stop Shop For Educators
Economics
SS2E1 The student will explain that because of scarcity, people must make choices and incur opportunity costs.
SS2E2 The student will identify ways in which goods and services are allocated (by price; majority rule; contests; force; sharing; lottery; command; first-come, first-served; personal characteristics; and others).
SS2E3 The student will explain that people usually use money to obtain the goods and services they want and explain how money makes trade easier than barter.
SS2E4 The student will describe the costs and benefits of personal spending and saving choices.
