Unit Plan 36 (Grade 1 Science): Cumulative Synthesis & Exhibition

Focus: Students present final projects demonstrating mastery across sound, light, life science, sky patterns, and engineering design by explaining a phenomenon, showing a model, and using evidence from investigations.

Grade Level: 1

Subject Area: Science (Physical Science • Life Science • Earth & Space Science • Engineering Design)

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

This final unit is a celebration of everything students learned in Grade 1 science. Students revisit core ideas about vibrations and sound, light and shadows, animal/plant structures and behaviors, traits and offspring, and patterns in the sky and daylight. They prepare a culminating Science Showcase project (poster, model, demonstration, or mini-book) that includes a clear claim, a simple model, and evidence from class activities. The week ends with an exhibition where students practice speaking like scientists, listening respectfully, and giving TAG feedback.

Essential Questions

• How can we explain a science idea using a claim, a model, and evidence?
• What patterns did we observe in sound, light, living things, and the sky?
• How do structures and behaviors help plants and animals meet their needs?
• How can an engineering design help solve a problem, and how do we improve it using test results?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Review and explain at least three Grade 1 science ideas (sound, light, life science, sky patterns) using accurate, student-friendly language.
2. Create and use a simple model (diagram, physical model, or demonstration) to explain how something works.
3. Make a clear claim and support it with evidence from class investigations (observations, drawings, data charts, or photos).
4. Communicate their thinking in a final project with labels, key terms, and an organized explanation for an audience.
5. Give and receive peer feedback using TAG to improve clarity and accuracy before the exhibition.

Standards Alignment — Grade 1 (NGSS-Aligned)

• 1-PS4-1 — Investigate how vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
• 1-PS4-2 — Objects can be seen only when illuminated.
• 1-PS4-3 — Test how different materials affect a beam of light.
• 1-PS4-4 — Design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve a communication problem.
• 1-LS1-1 — Mimic plant/animal external parts to design solutions to human problems.
• 1-LS1-2 — Identify patterns in parent/offspring behaviors that help offspring survive.
• 1-LS3-1 — Young are like, but not exactly like, their parents.
• 1-ESS1-1 — Use observations to describe predictable sun, moon, and star patterns.
• 1-ESS1-2 — Relate the amount of daylight to the time of year using observations.
• K-2-ETS1-1–3 — Define problems, sketch/model solutions, test/compare, and improve designs using results.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can make a claim about what I learned and explain it in my own words.
• I can show a model (drawing, object, or demonstration) that helps explain my idea.
• I can use evidence (observations, charts, test results, or examples) to support my claim.
• I can use science words like vibration, sound, light, shadow, pattern, trait, and design correctly.
• I can share my project clearly and give classmates TAG feedback.