Provincial science curriculum objectives as they pertain to
programs covered at MUN Botanical Garden
Grade One
- Ability to look for and identify animal tracks
- Identify the characteristics of a fruit (pumpkin / apple)
- Use senses to investigate and describe the environment and to gather information (listening game)
- Observe changes in a living creature
- Discuss why water and light are important for plant growth
- Identify changes brought about by growth
- Learn how to classify leaves according to size, shape and color
- Look at the similarities and differences between individuals
- Discuss how fruits grow
- Observation of seeds germinating
- Compare and measure plant growth
- Identify the signs of the seasons
- Investigate how weather and the seasons affect animals and birds (hibernation and migration)
- Explore pond ecosystems
Grade Two
- Adopt a neighbourhood tree, observe and record characteristics of selected trees
- Measure parts of a tree using standard and non-standard methods
- Study bark and growth rings (use tree cookies)
- Discover elements for healthy plant and animal growth
- Classify seeds according to similarities and differences
- Identify native animals and their habitat in the wild
- Discuss conservation of trees and other natural resources
- Observe the different stages of seed growth
- Observe seasonal changes in trees
- Examine buds for signs of tree growth
- Examine soils for best growing conditions
- Observe living things in their natural habitats (spiders, insects, birds, and trees)
- Discover that similar organisms live in similar environments
- Explore different habitats for tree growth
- Investigate the life cycles of creatures such as earthworms, caterpillars, wasps, and frogs
- Compare natural and human-made environments
- Investigate how living things adapt to changing situations
- Compare, observe and feel different types of soil
Grade Four
- Distinguish between plants and animals
- Examine different parts of the plant (roots, stems, leaves)
- Become familiar with the aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems
- Understand how adaptations may help an organism in one environment and hinder it in another
- Understand that organisms affect and are affected by their environment
- Understand the term habitat as an environment in which an organism lives
- Know the basic requirements for any habitat type (food, shelter, water, and space)
- Examine a number of plant and animal habitats
- Examine the interrelationships among organisms in an ecosystem (food chains, food webs, and human impact)
- Discuss succession, population change (change as a natural process)
- Understand how photosynthesis work (captures energy)
- Understand respiration in plants
Grade Five (emphasis on Newfoundland in all areas)
- Examine a classification system and the value of a system
- Discuss aquatic and terrestrial environments
- Discuss how living things depend on each other for food energy
- Discuss how organisms are affected by their environment
- Examine adaptations which help organisms in one environment while hindering it in another
- Examine traits as they are passed on to offspring
- Discussion of reproduction in plants and animals (sexual and asexual)
Grade Six
- Discuss aquatic and terrestrial environments
- Discuss how living things depend on each other for food energy
- Understand interrelationships among organisms in an ecosystem by examining food chains, food webs, and human impact on the environment
- Discuss how organisms are affected by their environment
- Examine adaptations which help organisms in one environment while hindering it in another
- Understand succession, population change (conclude that change is a natural process in natural communities
