First grade students conduct simple experiments in which they predict what will happen, test their hypotheses, and record what they find.  They draw conclusions about their experiments and practice explaining them. They get used to the idea of working in small teams to investigate and experiment. Children get more experience sorting and classifying things according to their physical properties (e.g., color, shape, texture).  They use basic instruments (such as magnifying glasses and rulers) to observe and measure objects. They practice communicating data with simple charts, pictures, and written descriptions. First graders study topics such as: Living Things and Their Environments plants and animals live in environments to which they are suited different habitats (e.g., forests, meadows, deserts) and their inhabitants the food chain classifications of animals (e.g., herbivores, carnivores, omnivores, extinct animals) charactedstics of oceans (e.g., salt water, currents, landscape of ocean floor) great diversity of ocean life (e.g., tiny plankton, giant whales) effects of habitat destruction (e.g., water pollution)  The Human Body overview of major body systems (e.g., skeletal, digestive, circulatory) and their basic parts (e.g., skull, stomach, heart) what germs and diseases are, and preventing illness (e.g., importance of vaccinations) Matter idea that everything is made of matter...