1.33 1st Grade Science Vocabulary Words

Attention all first grade scientists! Science can be fun to learn about, but there are a lot of new words that you’ll need to know in order to understand all of the fun and interesting science units in first grade. Come and learn some of these words in this lesson.

The World Around Us

As a first grader, you will learn a lot about earth science. For example, you might study different types of weather or you might learn about how materials change, like how water can turn into ice. Here are a few vocabulary words that you will need to know in order to study these cool things about our world:

• precipitation: This is just a fancy word for water that comes out of the sky. Precipitation can come in different forms – rain, snow, sleet and hail.
• thermometer: This is a weather instrument that measures temperature, or how hot or cold something is. The higher the number is on the thermometer, the higher the temperature. So, if the thermometer says 20, then it is 20 degrees outside.
• rain gauge: This weather instrument is used to measure the amount of precipitation that has fallen. Most of the time, rain gauges will measure using inches or centimeters. You can make your own rain gauge by placing a measuring cup outside.
• solid: These are objects that have a definite or firm shape, like a box, chair or car. When water is in its solid state, we call it ice, snow or hail.
• liquid: These are objects that are fluid, like milk, blood or juice. When water is in its liquid state, we just call it water!
• gas: Just because you can’t see something, doesn’t mean that it isn’t there. Gases do not have a shape and they are sometimes invisible, like oxygen. When water is in its gaseous state, we call it steam or vapor.

Hail is a solid form of precipitation

1. Main points:

The text introduces basic earth science concepts and vocabulary for first graders, covering different states of matter and tools to measure weather conditions.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are some of the different forms of precipitation mentioned?
• Linguistic Analysis: How does the text explain complex scientific terms in a way that’s understandable for a first grader?
• Thematic Analysis: What is the importance of understanding the different states of water in learning about earth science?

3. Further Discussion:

• If you could invent your own weather-measuring tool, what would it measure and how would you design it?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "precipitation: This is just a fancy word for water that comes out of the sky. Precipitation can come in different forms – rain, snow, sleet and hail."
• Linguistic Analysis: The text uses simple and relatable explanations, like "thermometer: This is a weather instrument that measures temperature…" and "rain gauge: This weather instrument is used to measure the amount of precipitation that has fallen."
• Thematic Analysis: Understanding the different states of water, as explained through "solid, liquid, and gas," helps in learning about the various aspects of earth science and weather phenomena.

Living Things

Do you like learning about living things, like flowers, trees, or even your family pet? Well, then you have a lot to look forward to when you study life science in first grade. Here are some life science vocabulary words to know:

• animal: Animals are living things, like birds, mammals, reptiles and more. Animals eat plants, other animals or a combination of these.
• plant: Plants are living things, like trees, grass, flowers and moss. Plants get their food from the sun and grow in one place.
• root: This is the part of the plant that holds it into the ground.
• stem: This is the middle part of the plant, like the trunk of a tree, that is attached to the roots.
• leaf: Some plants have leaves that grow off of their stems. Most of them are flat, and they can be different colors.

Can you find the roots, stem and leaves on this tree?

1. Main points:

The text introduces basic life science vocabulary for first graders, focusing on animals, plants, and their parts, highlighting how they live and grow.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the main differences between animals and plants as described in the text?
• Linguistic Analysis: How does the text simplify complex biological concepts for young learners?
• Thematic Analysis: Why is it important for first graders to understand the basic parts of a plant?

3. Further Discussion:

• If you could be any plant or animal, which would you choose and why?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "animal: Animals are living things, like birds, mammals, reptiles and more. Animals eat plants, other animals or a combination of these." and "plant: Plants are living things, like trees, grass, flowers and moss. Plants get their food from the sun and grow in one place."
• Linguistic Analysis: The text uses simple and direct language, such as "root: This is the part of the plant that holds it into the ground."
• Thematic Analysis: Understanding parts of a plant, like "root, stem, and leaf," helps children grasp basic biological concepts and appreciate the diversity and complexity of life.

How Things Work

Light, sound and magnets – oh my! You have a lot to learn in physical science as a first grader. Here are some vocabulary words that will come in handy as you study these units:

• shadow: When you cast light on an object at a certain angle, a dark outline of the object might appear on the ground or wall behind it. This is a shadow.
• vibration: When sound travels through the air, it travels as a vibration. Vibrations are quick, tiny movements that go back and forth.
• pitch: This is how high or low a sound is. For example, a squeaking mouse is a high pitch sound, while a tuba is a low pitch sound.
• volume: This is how loud or soft a sound is. You have a volume button on the TV remote to control how loud or soft the TV is.
• magnet: This is a piece of iron that attracts other objects. For example, you might have a magnet on your fridge. It sticks on the fridge as a result of the attraction.

Check out those shadows!

1. Main points:

The text introduces basic physical science concepts for first graders, focusing on light, sound, and magnets, explaining how shadows form, how sound travels, and how magnets work.

2. Questions:

• Content Analysis: What are the properties of light that create a shadow?
• Thematic Analysis: Why is understanding vibration important in studying sound?
• Contextual Analysis: How is the concept of a magnet made relatable to a first grader?

3. Further Discussion:

• If you could invent something using magnets, what would it be and how would it work?

4. Answers:

• Content Analysis: "shadow: When you cast light on an object at a certain angle, a dark outline of the object might appear on the ground or wall behind it."
• Thematic Analysis: "vibration: When sound travels through the air, it travels as a vibration. Vibrations are quick, tiny movements that go back and forth."
• Contextual Analysis: "magnet: This is a piece of iron that attracts other objects. For example, you might have a magnet on your fridge."

Lesson Summary

As a first grader, you have a lot of exciting scientific units to learn