nVizn Ideas

Tech-Based Science Curricula

Teaching Units

 

(Between 25 & 30 units will be required to cover the K-2 science standards. Below are some samples.)

A World of Wonder

This unit is designed to help children develop a wonder for, and an appreciation of, the world in which we all live. The unit combines spectacular images with a variety of poetry and verse…from time-honored and classic to new and sometimes humorous. The unit also includes links to activities, videos and experiments to extend and enhance the learning.

Chris P.

What a great way to integrate science and other subjects!

GO TO UNIT

A Parade of Sound

This unit is introduced with Pamela Allen's beautifully illustrated book about a chase that evolves into a parade of colorful sounds.  After reading this story, students engage in a series of appropriately-designed experiences that allow students to gather evidence to build an understanding of the relationship between sound and vibrations. The unit culminates in its own parade of sound!

Alan M.

Students really got the concept this time around!

GO TO UNIT

It Sinks-Now Make it Float

This two-part unit features books by award-winning author Pamela Allen. The first half uses the book Who Sank the Boat? to (re-) introduce students to the phenomena of sinking and floating, while challenging an incomplete idea that many students hold — big, heavy things sink and little, light things float. Students develop evidence to develop a better understanding of sinking and floating.

Marsha M.

Learn by doing. I love it! So do my students!!

GO TO UNIT

Look Over There!

Asking "WHY?" is second nature to children. But what happens when you turn that question back to kids? A foundation for learning science!

This unit works to to foster the curiosity bubbling up in all children about the universe, provides experiences for children to begin building their own foundation for scientific thinking; and is a resource to teachers as they work to develop students' writing skills.

Maria H.

The writing prompts are so helpful. A great integration!!

GO TO UNIT

How's that Working ....

This unit includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do. Powerful activities provide students with the evidence to build a strong understanding.

Misha N.

The hands-on activities are very engaging!

GO TO UNIT

Let the Dark Out

Light, because it is ubiquitous in our lives, leads to a variety of incorrect or incomplete ideas by young children - light is in a bulb - light fills a space. Such ideas in turn lead to difficulties explaining the direction and formation of shadows and the reflection of light by objects. This important unit engages students in a series of activities designed to provide evidence for "how light works."

Chet S.

It was a struggle for kids to understand, but not now.

GO TO UNIT

Follow the Sun

This unit helps children begin to recognize patterns within the movement of celestial objects like the Sun and the Moon.  The story is followed by a series of simple activities that help build an understanding that  the Sun does move in predictable and repeatable patterns.  Students make their own observations in order to build their understanding of Earth's place within the solar system.

Kiran J.

I'm anxious for our teachers to start using these units.

GO TO UNIT

The Pushme-Pullyou

Children are introduced to important ideas about force and motion by the timeless of characters Dr. Dolittle. The story is followed by a series of simple activities then help students build an understanding that a force is a push or a pull and that forces can change an object's speed, it's direction or both. These precursor ideas are important in developing an understanding of how the world works.

Shannon B.

I loved Dr. Dolittle as a kid and can't wait to try this one.

GO TO UNIT

What's It Doing Outside?

Ozzie and Alina are are off on another adventure as they try to figure out their mother's cryptic reference to bluebird weather. What do bluebirds have to do with weather anyway? This unit features both new and classics to engage students in a series of activities about weather, including data collection activities, pattern recognition, and how both are used to make predictions about the future.

Greta S.

Our teachers have really loved working with these units.

GO TO UNIT

The Water Thief

This unit helps children begin the development of their understanding that water can exist in different forms, depending on certain conditions. The unit, introduced by a mystery involving a possible water thief, includes a variety of simple activities in which students are introduced to the concept of evaporation.

Francis G..

It's amazing how simple activities can spur learning.

GO TO UNIT

When I Grow Up

To develop an understanding of genetics and the inheritance of traits later on, students must first recognize similarities between young plants and young animals and their parents. Purposeful engagement of this idea naturally leads students to wonder why.  Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider examples. Simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

Mary Anne Z.

We can make real headway with these units.

GO TO UNIT

Did You Use Soap?

How often are children asked upon a return from the bathroom - "Did you wash your hands?" and "Did you use soap?" Probably more than most adults can remember. But why is soap so important? This beautifully illustrated story leads students into a series of activities centered on the unique properties of soap and why soap does what it does.

Paul D.

Our teachers are quite enthusiastic about the approach.

GO TO UNIT

Grow a Green Giant

Ozzie and Alina team up to open this unit with the book Even Taller Than Me. The unit guides children to uncover evidence to support their understanding of what plants need to grow and thrive. In the process, they learn even more about the scientific process and how observations, experiments and evidence form the basis of what we know about the world.

Tamika J.

Getting kids out of their seats is really important today.

GO TO UNIT

A Kudzu Monster

Marcus loves to solve mysteries and after overhearing his grandfather, Marcus is determined to figure out more about the kudzu monster eating the tractor!

This fun book opens the unit, which from the guides children to uncover evidence to support their understanding of how plants can impact their environment.

Akari S.

These units provide so much support for teachers. Thanks!

GO TO UNIT

Map It!

Ozzie and Alina team up to open this unit with the book That's Where the Cows Live, a fun story that introduces students to the concept of a map. The unit then guides children to begin the development of an understanding of how models (maps are one type of model) help us better understand our world.

Camila G.

Integrating science with reading makes so much sense!

GO TO UNIT

 

Check Back Often

 

More units are in development!!

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Children's literature provides the theme for each science unit. Click book covers

to learn more.

  • Even Taller Than Me
    Even Taller Than Me
  • Even Taller Than Me
    Even Taller Than Me

    The delightful brother/sister team of Ozzie and Alina team up to open this unit from the Life Science Series. The unit guides children to uncover evidence to support their understanding of what plants need to grow and thrive. In the process, they learn even more about the scientific process and how observations, experiments and evidence form the basis of what we know about the world.

    Prototype / Book
  • Marcus & the Kudzu Monster
    Marcus & the Kudzu Monster
  • Marcus & the Kudzu Monster
    Marcus & the Kudzu Monster

    Marcus loves to solve mysteries and after overhearing his grandfather, Marcus is determined to figure out more about the kudzu monster eating the tractor!


    This fun book opens a unit from the Life Science Series. The unit guides children to uncover evidence to support their understanding of how plants can impact their environment.

    Prototype / Book
  • That's Where the Cows Live
    That's Where the Cows Live
  • That's Where the Cows Live
    That's Where the Cows Live

    Part of the Earth Science Series, this unit is introduced as Ozzie and Alina team up in a fun story that introduces students to the concept of a map.


    The unit then guides children to begin the development of an understanding of how models (maps are one type of model) help us better understand our world.

    Prototype / Book
  • It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 1)
    It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 1)
  • It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 1)
    It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 1)

    This unit includes two delightful books by renowned children's author Pamela Allen and gives children the opportunity to grapple with two quite familiar phenomena - sinking and floating.


    While the science required to fully understand sinking and floating is beyond the scope of young children, the unit presents opportunities:

    • 1) to help students confront the simplistic (and incorrect) view that big/heavy things sink and little/light things float; and
    • 2) to experience how science uses observation, experiments and evidence to explain the world around us.

    Prototype / Book
  • It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 2)
    It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 2)
  • It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 2)
    It Sinks - Now Make it Float (Part 2)

    This unit includes two delightful books by renowned children's author Pamela Allen and gives children the opportunity to grapple with two quite familiar phenomena - sinking and floating.


    While the science required to fully understand sinking and floating is beyond the scope of young children, the unit presents opportunities:

    • 1) to help students confront the simplistic (and incorrect) view that big/heavy things sink and little/light things float; and
    • 2) to experience how science uses observation, experiments and evidence to explain the world around us.

    Prototype / Book
  • A Parade of Sound
    A Parade of Sound
  • A Parade of Sound
    A Parade of Sound

    Part of the Physical Science Series, this unit is introduced with Pamela Allen's beautifully illustrated book about a chase that evolves into a parade of colorful sounds.


    The unit provides a series of appropriately-designed experiences that allow students to gather evidence to build the explanation that:


    1) if I hear a sound, then something must be vibrating;
    2) if I can make something vibrate, then it should produce a sound I can hear; and
    3) if I can stop the vibrations of something that is making a sound, then the sound should stop.

    Prototype / Book
  • Let the Dark Out
    Let the Dark Out
  • Let the Dark Out
    Let the Dark Out

    Light, because it is ubiquitous in our lives, leads to a variety of incorrect or incomplete ideas by young children - light is in a bulb - light fills a space. Such ideas in turn lead to difficulties explaining the direction and formation of shadows and the reflection of light by objects.


    Introduced by a cute story about a brother/sister team searching for the place where the dark spends the day, this important unit engages students in a series of activities designed to help students learn the national standards related to light.

    Prototype / Book
  • Follow the Sun
    Follow the Sun
  • Follow the Sun
    Follow the Sun

    Part of the Earth Science Series, this unit helps children begin to recognize patterns within the movement of celestial objects like the Sun and the Moon. The unit introduces the idea through a cute story about how two young cows learn how not to be late for supper.


    Students then conduct a series of simple activities that help build an understanding that the Sun does move in predictable and repeatable patterns. Students make their own observations in order to build their understanding of Earth's place within the solar system.

    Prototype / Book
  • Did You Use Soap?
    Did You Use Soap?
  • Did You Use Soap?
    Did You Use Soap?

    How often are children asked upon a return from the bathroom - "Did you wash your hands?" and "Did you use soap?" Probably more than most adults can remember. But why is soap so important?


    This beautifully illustrated story leads students into a series of activities centered on the unique properties of soap and why soap does what it does.

    Prototype / Book
  • A Bluebird Weather Day
    A Bluebird Weather Day
  • A Bluebird Weather Day
    A Bluebird Weather Day

    The brother/sister team of Ozzie and Alina are off on another adventure as they try to figure out their mother's cryptic reference to bluebird weather. What do bluebirds have to do with weather anyway?


    This cute story introduces students to a series of activities about weather, including data collection activities, pattern recognition, and how both are used to make predictions about the future.

    Prototype / Book
  • Paint the Sky - A Year of Weather
    Paint the Sky - A Year of Weather
  • Paint the Sky - A Year of Weather
    Paint the Sky - A Year of Weather

    In the mid 1800s, Sara Coleridge wrote this beautiful poem relating the months of the year to their weather. Adapted, updated and combined with spectacular images, Paint the Sky - A Year of Weather, helps children develop an appreciation for, and understanding of, the magnificence of this world. The book is included in the Weather Unit.

    Prototype / Book
  • The Snowdrop
    The Snowdrop
  • The Snowdrop
    The Snowdrop

    This is an adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's story, albeit with a much lighter tone. Beautifully illustrated and updated, this classic children's story is included in the Weather unit.

    Prototype / Book
  • When We Were Young
    When We Were Young
  • When We Were Young
    When We Were Young

    Children are introduced to important ideas about force and motion by a timeless group of characters - Dr. Dolittle, Dab-Dab the duck, and the Pushme-Pullyou in a brand new story entitled When We Were Young.


    A series of simple activities then help students build an understanding that a force is a push or a pull and that forces can change an object's speed, it's direction or both. These precursor ideas are very important in the development of an understanding of physics and how the world works.

    Prototype / Book
  • The Water Thief
    The Water Thief
  • The Water Thief
    The Water Thief

    Part of the Earth Science Series, this unit helps children begin the development of their understanding that water can exist in different forms, depending on certain conditions.


    The unit, introduced by a mystery involving a possible water thief, includes a variety of simple activities in which students are introduced to the concept of evaporation.

    Prototype / Book
  • When I Grow Up
    When I Grow Up
  • When I Grow Up
    When I Grow Up

    To develop an understanding of genetics and the inheritance of traits later on, students must first recognize similarities between young plants and young animals and their parents. Purposeful engagement of this idea naturally leads students to wonder why.


    This unit from the Life Science Series is introduced by a book filled with spectacular photographs and text prompting students to consider the similarity and differences between parents and offspring. A series of simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

    Prototype / Book
  • Will You Look at That? Ears
    Will You Look at That? Ears
  • Will You Look at That? Ears
    Will You Look at That? Ears

    This unit from the Life Science Series includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do.


    Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider why the world exhibits such variation among animals and plants. A series of simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

    Prototype / Book
  • Will You Look at That? Eyes
    Will You Look at That? Eyes
  • Will You Look at That? Eyes
    Will You Look at That? Eyes

    This unit from the Life Science Series includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do.


    Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider why the world exhibits such variation among animals and plants. A series of simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

    Prototype / Book
  • Will You Look at That? Mouth & Teeth
    Will You Look at That? Mouth & Teeth
  • Will You Look at That? Mouth & Teeth
    Will You Look at That? Mouth & Teeth

    This unit from the Life Science Series includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do.


    Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider why the world exhibits such variation among animals and plants. A series of simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

    Prototype / Book
  • Will You Look at That? Noses
    Will You Look at That? Noses
  • Will You Look at That? Noses
    Will You Look at That? Noses

    This unit from the Life Science Series includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do.


    Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider why the world exhibits such variation among animals and plants. A series of simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

    Prototype / Book
  • Will You Look at That? Tails
    Will You Look at That? Tails
  • Will You Look at That? Tails
    Will You Look at That? Tails

    This unit from the Life Science Series includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do.


    Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider why the world exhibits such variation among animals and plants. A series of simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

    Prototype / Book
  • Will You Look at That? Locomotion
    Will You Look at That? Locomotion
  • Will You Look at That? Locomotion
    Will You Look at That? Locomotion

    This unit from the Life Science Series includes six different books - Ears, Eyes, Noses, Tails, Mouth & Teeth, and Locomotion - to introduce students to important concepts related to the relationship between structure and function - a foundational concept for an understanding why living things appear and operate as they do.


    Spectacular photographs and text prompt students to consider why the world exhibits such variation among animals and plants. A series of simple activities follow to reinforce these important ideas.

    Prototype / Book
  • A World of Wonder
    A World of Wonder
  • A World of Wonder
    A World of Wonder

    From the Discovering Science Series, this unit includes spectacular photographs and poetry to help students develop an appreciation for the world in which we live. From a fuzzy red moth to the twinkling of the space station overhead, each poem and image help students recognize the many wonders of our world, leading students to want to learn more.


    The unit can be presented in a variety of ways within the classroom and includes opportunities to engage parents in furthering learning at home.

    Prototype / Book

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