Kindergarten Science: how to help at home
What your child learns in Kindergarten science in the Nunavut Curriculum, and simple things to try at home.
The Big Ideas this year
- Iqqaqqaukkaringniq: ways to describe and improve our world through science and technology.
- Life science, physical science, and earth and space science, as in the Common Framework of Science Learning Outcomes.
- Skills of inquiry and design, and links between science, technology, society and the environment.
Easy ways to practise science at home
- Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles.
- Plant a bean seed and check it together each day.
- Ask “What do you notice?” before you explain anything.
- Talk about the weather each morning and what to wear for it.
What each unit covers
Be a Scientist
Asking a science question, predicting, observing with the senses, picking a tool such as a ruler or magnifying glass, and telling what was found out.
Materials
Describing everyday materials (soft or hard, rough or smooth, bendy or stiff), what sinks or floats, and naming what things are made of, like wood, metal, glass and cloth.
What Living Things Need
Telling living from non-living things, and what plants and animals need to live: food, water, air, shelter and sunlight.
Animal Features
Noticing body parts like fur, feathers, fins and shells, and how features help animals and plants live where they do.
Safe Scientists
Safety rules for exploring and playing, such as wearing a helmet, telling a grown-up after a bump to the head, and never tasting science materials.
Measure It!
Practises comparing and ordering objects by length, mass and time using words such as longer, shorter, heavier and lighter, and using hands, paper clips or coins as measuring tools. Try measuring a table with your hands at home.
Sun & Moon Patterns
Practises the pattern of the Sun's position through the day, how shadows change, and how the Moon seems to change shape over about a month. Remind your child never to look straight at the Sun.
Tools & Science Jobs
Practises linking science to jobs and hobbies (farmer, firefighter, doctor, astronomer, rock collecting, gardening), to technologies people have made to meet needs, and to the idea that everyone can be curious and contribute to science.
What the report card levels look like at home
- Beginning
- Just getting started with this idea. Short, regular practice with lots of support helps most.
- Approaching
- Understands parts of it and is building confidence. Keep practising the tricky parts.
- Meeting
- Has it! Mixed review now and then keeps it strong.
- Exceeding
- Applies it confidently, even in new or harder situations. Try challenge mode and real-life problems.
Your child’s teacher decides the level on the report card. Read the Nunavut report card guide.
Common questions
Go on a nature walk and name what you see: leaves, bugs, clouds, puddles. Plant a bean seed and check it together each day. Keep sessions short, about 10 to 15 minutes, and stop on a success.
The Nunavut Curriculum Kindergarten science units include be a scientist, materials, what living things need, animal features, safe scientists, measure it!.
Free printable Kindergarten science practice sheet
Questions from every unit, with an answer key.