Explaining Environmental Change - Kindergarten Science

Which tool provides evidence about rainfall amount?

Rain gauge. Collects and measures how much rain falls.
Which tool is used to measure temperature as evidence of weather change?

Thermometer. Thermometers measure heat and cold precisely.
Which observation is evidence of drought: dry, cracked soil or puddles on the ground?

Dry, cracked soil. Soil cracks when it loses moisture from lack of rain.
Which evidence best supports "The season changed to fall": leaves turning color or flowers opening?

Leaves turning color. Fall causes leaves to change from green to other colors.
Choose the best claim from this evidence: "Leaves turned brown and fell earlier than usual."

The season changed to fall earlier. Early leaf changes indicate seasonal shift.
Which evidence best supports "The wind was strong": broken branches or a quiet flag?

Broken branches. Strong wind causes physical damage to trees.
Which observation is evidence of flooding: water covering grass or leaves falling in autumn?

Water covering grass. Shows excess water has covered the land.
Which option is evidence of erosion: soil washed away near a stream or a new flower blooming?

Soil washed away near a stream. Moving water carries soil particles away.
What is the first step when explaining environmental change: observe or decide without looking?

Observe. Scientists always look carefully before explaining.
What is the best evidence that a place became colder: melting snow or ice on a pond?

Ice on a pond. Ice forms when water freezes in cold weather.
What is the best order for a simple explanation using evidence: claim first or evidence first?

Claim first, then evidence. State what happened before showing proof.
What word best links evidence to an explanation: 'because' or 'maybe'?

Because. This word shows cause and effect relationships.
Which tool is best for collecting evidence about temperature change: a thermometer or a ruler?

A thermometer. Measures how hot or cold something is.
What does "support your explanation" mean?

Use observations or measurements that match your claim. Evidence must directly relate to your claim.
Which evidence best supports "Erosion happened": soil moved downhill or a new fence?

Soil moved downhill. Erosion moves soil from high to low places.
What is a cause in an explanation about environmental change?

The event that makes the change happen. The reason why something happens.
Which option is evidence that plants need water: wilted leaves or a wish?

Wilted leaves. Plants droop when they don't get enough water.
Which option is an example of evidence: a guess or a photo of a flooded street?

A photo of a flooded street. Photos document real events, unlike guesses.
Identify the tool that measures temperature evidence: thermometer or stopwatch.

Thermometer. It measures how hot or cold something is in degrees.
Which statement uses evidence correctly: 'I think it rained' or 'The ground is wet, so it rained'?

The ground is wet, so it rained. Links the observation (wet ground) to the cause.
Identify the best evidence of flooding: "The river rose over its banks" or "It looked scary."

The river rose over its banks. Physical overflow is measurable; feelings aren't.
Identify the best evidence of a flood: water lines on walls or a favorite story.

Water lines on walls. Floods leave marks showing how high water reached.
Which word best links evidence to a claim in science: "because" or "maybe"?

because. Shows definite connection; "maybe" shows uncertainty.
Which observation is evidence of spring: new buds on trees or bare branches with no buds?

New buds on trees. Plants grow new buds when spring warmth arrives.
Choose the best claim from this evidence: "A new building replaced a grassy field."

People changed the land. Building construction shows human impact on nature.
Identify the evidence in this sentence: "The snow melted, so the ground became muddy."

The snow melted. The observable fact that supports the conclusion.
Identify the best evidence of a drought: "Many sunny days" or "Low water in a pond for weeks."

Low water in a pond for weeks. Lasting low water shows drought better than weather.
Which observation is evidence that plants are not getting enough water: wilted leaves or tall, firm leaves?

Wilted leaves. Plants droop when they lack water to stay rigid.
Which option is evidence of wind: "The trees are bending" or "Wind is bad"?

"The trees are bending". Observable movement proves wind; opinions don't.
Which picture set would best show environmental change: one photo or before-and-after photos?

Before-and-after photos. Comparison reveals change; single photos don't.
What does evidence mean in science?

Information from observations or measurements. Facts we gather to prove or understand something.
Which option is evidence of pollution: trash in a stream or a clear stream with fish?

Trash in a stream. Pollution makes water dirty with human waste.
What is evidence in science?

Observations or facts that support an idea. Evidence helps scientists prove or understand what happens.
What should you do if evidence does not match your explanation?

Change the explanation to fit the evidence. Good scientists change ideas when evidence shows they're wrong.
Identify the tool that measures rainfall evidence: ruler, rain gauge, or magnifying glass.

Rain gauge. This tool collects and measures how much rain falls.
Which observation is evidence of strong wind: bent tree branches or a calm lake surface?

Bent tree branches. Wind force pushes and bends flexible branches.
What is an observation?

Information gathered using the senses or tools. What we notice by looking, listening, or measuring.
What is the difference between an observation and an opinion?

Observation is factual; opinion is a personal belief. Facts can be proven; beliefs cannot.
Which option is stronger evidence of change: "It feels colder" or "There is ice on the puddle"?

There is ice on the puddle. Ice formation is measurable; feelings are subjective.
Identify the best evidence for "It rained": puddles on the ground or "Rain is my favorite"?

Puddles on the ground. Physical evidence you can see proves rain occurred.
Choose the best evidence of pollution: trash in a stream or a loud sound far away.

Trash in a stream. Pollution puts harmful things in nature.
Identify the best evidence that the ground is warming: more snow or less snow over time.

Less snow over time. Warmer temperatures melt snow faster.
Which word names what you see, hear, smell, feel, or measure: observation or opinion?

Observation. Observations are facts; opinions are personal thoughts.
Which evidence best supports "Animals lost habitat": fewer trees after cutting or more nests?

Fewer trees after cutting. Cutting trees removes animal homes.
Which evidence best supports "A flood happened": water covering roads or dry sand?

Water covering roads. Floods leave water where it normally isn't.
Identify the best evidence of drought: cracked dry soil or wet puddles everywhere.

Cracked dry soil. Soil cracks when there's no rain for a long time.
Which tool provides evidence about temperature change?

Thermometer. Measures exact degrees, not just hot or cold.
What is the best evidence that an animal moved away: fewer tracks seen or a rumor?

Fewer tracks seen. Animals leave footprints where they walk.
What is a fair test in simple science?

Only one thing is changed at a time. This helps us know what caused the result.
What kind of evidence uses numbers, such as temperature or length?

Measurement (numerical evidence). Numbers provide exact, measurable facts.
Identify the environmental change shown by many leaves on the ground in autumn.

Seasonal change (fall). Trees drop leaves in fall as seasons change.
Which option is evidence: "I think it is warmer" or "The thermometer shows higher temperature"?

"The thermometer shows higher temperature". Tool data is factual; feelings are opinions.
Which evidence best supports "A drought happened": cracked soil or overflowing rivers?

Cracked soil. Drought dries out soil, causing cracks.
Which tool is used to measure rainfall as evidence of weather change?

Rain gauge. Rain gauges collect and measure precipitation.
What is an effect in an explanation about environmental change?

The change that happens because of the cause. What results from the cause.
What is a measurement?

Information using numbers and tools. Uses rulers, scales, or other tools to get exact data.
Which option is evidence: "The plant is $5$ cm tall" or "The plant is pretty"?

"The plant is $5$ cm tall". Numbers are measurable facts, not feelings.
What kind of evidence is a photo of a tree before and after a storm?

Visual evidence. Photos show what we can see with our eyes.
What is an environmental change?

A change in the natural world around living things. These changes affect where and how plants and animals live.
Which observation best supports 'The season changed to winter': people wear coats or grass is green?

People wear coats. Winter's cold weather requires warm clothing.
What is environmental change?

A change in the environment over time. Focuses on how things in nature transform as time passes.
What tool is best for collecting evidence about rain: a rain gauge or a thermometer?

A rain gauge. Measures how much rain falls in a location.
What is an observation?

Information you notice using your senses. What you see, hear, smell, taste, or touch directly.
What is the best way to make evidence stronger: use one observation or many observations over time?

Many observations over time. Multiple data points show patterns, not single events.
Which option is evidence of pollution: trash in a river or clear water with fish swimming?

Trash in a river. Human waste contaminates natural water sources.
Which option is evidence of wind: fallen branches or a guess about tomorrow?

Fallen branches. Wind pushes things over, leaving physical proof.
Identify the effect in this sentence: "Heavy rain fell, so the sidewalk flooded."

The sidewalk flooded. The result that happened after the rain.
Which option is an observation: 'It is hotter today' or 'Summer is best'?

'It is hotter today'. Observations describe what we see or measure, not opinions.
Which sentence correctly uses evidence: 'The plant died because it had no water' or 'The plant died because I said so'?

'The plant died because it had no water'. Good explanations connect evidence to results.
What is a claim in a science explanation?

A statement that answers the question about what happened. A claim states what you think happened and why.
Which sentence is a claim: "It rained a lot" or "The ground is muddy because it rained"?

"The ground is muddy because it rained". Claims explain why something happened.

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