Grade 1 Science Standards in Arkansas, Simplified

At Teachshare, we know that aligning your teaching with state standards is a key part of your work. We aim to provide practical tools and resources that support your curriculum planning. Our focus is on helping you meet these requirements with confidence.

Education standards are learning goals that define what students should learn in each subject by the end of a grade. While you are expected to guide students toward meeting these goals, you have the freedom to choose the curriculum and methods for teaching them.

What Are Grade 1 Science Standards in Arkansas?

The Grade 1 Science Standards for Arkansas are designed to build a strong foundation in scientific inquiry and understanding. These standards are organized into three core areas of science, helping first graders explore the world around them through observation and investigation. Here is a breakdown of the key learning objectives:

• Physical Science (PS)

  • 1-PS4-1: Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.

  • 1-PS4-2: Make observations to construct evidence that objects can only be seen when illuminated.

  • 1-PS4-3: Investigate materials to determine which allow light to pass through and create shadows.

  • 1-PS4-4: Use tools and materials to design a device that uses light or sound to communicate over a distance.

• Life Science (LS)

  • 1-LS1-1: Use materials to design a solution that mimics how plants and animals use external parts to survive, grow, and meet their needs.

  • 1-LS1-2: Read and explain patterns of behaviors of parents and offspring that help offspring survive.

  • 1-LS3-1: Make observations to compare patterns of young plants and animals to their parents.

• Earth and Space Science (ESS)

  • 1-ESS1-1: Use observations of the sun, moon, and stars to describe patterns that can be predicted.

  • 1-ESS1-2: Make observations at different times of the year to relate the amount of daylight to the time of year.

These standards provide clear goals for what your first graders should know and be able to do in science. The framework for these standards is guided by the NGSS topic arrangements, which group learning objectives to create natural connections between scientific ideas.

Key Tested Standards

When preparing for assessments, it's helpful to know which areas are most likely to be covered. For Arkansas's Grade 1 Science Standards, assessments will likely focus on the three main science domains.

Key tested standards often include:

• Physical Science (1-PS4-1 to 1-PS4-4): Understanding light, sound, and how they interact

• Life Science (1-LS1-1, 1-LS3-1): Exploring plant/animal survival and traits inherited from parents

• Earth and Space Science (1-ESS1-1, 1-ESS1-2): Patterns in the sun, moon, and stars, and how they affect life

Source: Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Source: Next Generation Science Standards

Example Learning Objectives for Unit Planning

Learning objectives break down broad standards into specific, measurable goals for your students. These "I can" statements clarify what students should be able to do by the end of a lesson, helping you focus your instruction and making the learning targets clear to everyone.

For standard 1-ESS1-1, which focuses on predictable patterns of the sun, moon, and stars, your objectives could be:

• I can observe and describe how the sun moves across the sky during the day.

• I can identify patterns in how the moon looks at night over time.

• I can describe how the stars appear in different patterns in the sky.

• I can explain how the sun, moon, and stars change in the sky in ways we can predict.

• I can record observations of the sun, moon, and stars to find patterns.

For standard 1-ESS1-2, which relates the amount of daylight to the time of year, you might use objectives like these:

• I can observe and record how much daylight there is at different times of the year.

• I can notice and describe patterns in daylight throughout the seasons.

• I can explain how the amount of daylight changes depending on the time of year.

• I can share my observations and ideas with others using drawings or charts.

• I can compare daylight in the summer to daylight in the winter.

Key Changes & Updates

Arkansas has not made significant changes to the Grade 1 Science Standards in recent years. The current standards, adopted in 2015, are based on the Arkansas K-12 Science Standards and remain closely aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). This framework continues to prioritize hands-on investigations, crosscutting concepts, and science and engineering practices, providing a stable foundation for your curriculum planning.

While the core standards are consistent, you might find minor updates or clarifications at the district or state level. These are typically made to offer extra guidance or improve alignment. To stay informed about any small adjustments, we recommend checking the official Arkansas Department of Education website for the most current information.

Create with TeachShare

We know that translating standards into effective, engaging lesson plans is a significant part of your work. Our goal is to make that process simpler and more efficient for you. With our tools, you can quickly develop materials that are aligned to standards and tailored for your students, giving you more time to focus on teaching. Start creating standards-aligned instructional resources with TeachShare now.