Texas TEKS 1.1.D
The Standard
use tools, including hand lenses, goggles, heat-resistant gloves, trays, cups, bowls, beakers, sieves/sifters, tweezers, primary balance, notebooks, terrariums, aquariums, stream tables, soil samples (loam, sand, gravel, rocks, and clay), seeds, plants, windsock, pinwheel, student thermometer, demonstration thermometer, rain gauge, straws, ribbons, non-standard measuring items, flashlights, sandpaper, wax paper, items that are magnetic, non-magnetic items, a variety of magnets, hot plate, aluminum foil, Sun-Moon-Earth model, and plant and animal life cycle models to observe, measure, test, and compare
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students choose and use simple science tools to observe, measure, test, and compare objects. They handle tools safely and record what they notice with words, numbers, or drawings.
What Mastery Looks Like
- A student selects a tool that fits the task and explains the choice. The student uses it correctly, compares results, and records a clear observation.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may choose tools by appearance instead of purpose or confuse observing with measuring. They may treat goggles as optional or think protective gloves make any hot object safe to touch.
How to Assess It
- Place two rocks, a hand lens, tweezers, and a primary balance at a station. Ask each student to show which rock is heavier and explain the tool choice.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Give pairs sand, gravel, a sieve, cups, and a tray to separate the mixture and record what each tool does.
Ask, “Which tool would help you compare two seeds, and what could you learn by using it?”
Play a tool match game where students pair picture cards showing tools with cards showing observation, measurement, testing, or comparison tasks.
Set up a rain gauge outside, record the water level after rain, and compare it with the class weather report.
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Printable 1.1.D Worksheet

A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 1.1.D, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 2.1.D
use tools, including hand lenses, goggles, heat-resistant gloves, trays, cups, bowls, beakers, notebooks, stream tables, soil, sand, gravel, flowering plants, s...
- 5.1.D
use tools, including calculators, microscopes, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, prisms, concave and convex lenses, laser pointers, mirrors, dig...
- K.1.D
use tools, including hand lenses, goggles, trays, cups, bowls, sieves or sifters, notebooks, terrariums, aquariums, samples (rocks, sand, soil, loam, gravel, cl...
- 3.1.D
use tools, including hand lenses; metric rulers; Celsius thermometers; wind vanes; rain gauges; graduated cylinders; beakers; digital scales; hot plates; meter ...
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