Science for Ohio Home

Learning to Look
Background Information


Summary: Learning to Look is actually five activities in one inquiry. In Looking Closer at a Flower, students are introduced to sensory investigation of a flower plant and the plant cycle. In Looking Closer at Grass, students are introduced to sensory investigation and description of grass. In Looking Closer at Trees , students extend observational skills when looking at a tree by observing, questioning and sharing ideas. In Looking Closer--Dead and Alive, students observe a living and nonliving flower and compare and contrast how they are alike and different.In Looking Closer at Seed Growth, students predict and observe what happens when a sunflower seed is planted. The Family Page extends this learning to the community by inviting parents and students to develop observation skills at home.

Related Topics: observation skills, needs of living things, living vs. nonliving

Ohio Academic Standards Alignment: Ohio Academic Standards Alignment

Background Information:

Kindergarten students will learn how to participate in outdoor scientific inquiry, discover the joy and wonder of nature, learn the steps of the scientific method, learn to value and respect nature, and discover the interconnectedness of living things. All of the content and process skills are introductory and require modeling and practice.

Note: Teaching science to young children requires preparation and planning for both content and process skills. Primary students need to practice outdoor discovery in a small group setting. Teachers should enlist help from parents or older children as study buddies.