Acorn to Oak Science, Year One PDF

Welcome to Acorn to Oak’s Science, Year One!
 Although each child develops at their own pace, this curriculum is typically suited for ages 6 to 8. This is Acorn to Oak’s complete science curriculum.

You will be using the following books as your Big Books. These are the books you will return to through the lessons to use as reference.

– 5 Minute Nature Stories – Gabby Dawnay
– 5 Minute Space Stories – Gabby Dawnay
– 5 Minute Ocean Stories – Gabby Dawnay
– Slow Down: 50 Mindful Moments in Nature – Rachel Williams
– Round and Round Goes Mother Nature – Gabby Dawnay
– The Secret Signs of Nature – Craig Caudill
– Friends in Nature: Discover Earth’s Amazing Ecosystems – Marina Ruiz
– Glow – Noelia Gonzalez
– An Adventurer’s Guide to Outer Space – Isabel Thomas
– 365 Words for Clever Kids – Dr. Meredith L. Rowe

You will also be given a list of supplemental books, which are optional.

As educators, it is our job to educate the whole child: the head, the heart, and the hands. Conducting our studies in nature helps us do so. While children observe the patterns and rhythms of nature, they will understand how they are connected to everything in the world around them. In this period of development, it is essential that we tie every study back to the self.

The first section of our study is You Are Here. The child will explore their place in the universe. We live in the Milky Way galaxy, which is our Solar System. We orbit the Sun, along with other planets. Our world goes through changes every day, but some things remain the same. We always circle the Sun, we always have a 24 hour day.

The next section is A Part of the Whole. We do not exist alone, we are part of the Earth’s many systems. We live in an ecosystem, among other living things. We live in a habitat, of which we have adaptions to. We exist in a lifecycle. We are living things, just like the animals and the trees. We are not apart from nature, we are a part of it.

The last section is The Big Rock. This is our Earth science section. We will not be discussing topics such as tectonic plates, the layers of the Earth, or other topics which are not observable yet, but always follow your child’s curiosity as it emerges. We will be learning about rocks, minerals, and the building blocks of life that exist beneath our feet.

Each lesson will include the following:

Subject Introduction
Each topic will include a subject introduction. These simple paragraphs will help you focus your study. 

Vocabulary
Each topic will include key vocabulary words. Your child will compile their words and definitions in their  Student Dictionary.

Field Study
The field study is the main, outdoor hands-on activity of the subject. If you are a field trip family, review the field studies at the beginning of the year to incorporate your field studies into your excursions. The lessons can be done in any order that fits into your family’s schedule. 

Art
There is an art project for every topic. The supplies are very minimal, and can mostly be found in nature. Invite your child to decorate their room or your homeschool room with their projects. 

Nature Journal
You will conduct nature walks and record your findings in your Nature Journal.

Loose Parts
Loose parts are small objects that are used in open-ended play. Loose parts can be anything: a basket of small stones, a bundle of sticks, a set of wooden blocks, etc. Reggio Emilia philosophy uses loose parts to encourage self-directed play, storytelling, problem solving, to provide opportunity for communication, and to provide sensory enrichment. Each lesson will have a loose part invitation. Take photos of the child’s arrangements and display them to encourage their exploration. 

Demonstration
These are simple hands-on activities which help demonstrate the topic. 

Imagine
These open-ended prompts will encourage your child to draw and write in their Creative Writing Journal. Creative writing helps build confidence, communication, literacy, and self-reflection.

Child to Parent Inquiry 
For every lesson, invite your child to ask questions about the topic. Use your Big Books to find the answers. Each lesson will have a couple questions and references as a starting off point.

Parent to Child Inquiry
Ask your child questions about the topic to encourage open-ending thinking and problem solving. Each lesson will include an example question to reflect on, but make them your own!

Lesson Drawing and Statment
Each lesson includes an illustration and simple lesson statement. Your child will copy these pages, or create their own scenes in their Main Lesson Book.

122 pages of content.

You will receive an instant PDF download. This file is for personal use only, redistribution is not permitted.