Slovenia Environmental Studies Curriculum (2. razred)

This curriculum outlines the key learning objectives and content for Environmental Studies in the 2. razred of Slovenian primary schools. It emphasizes hands-on learning, exploration, and the interconnectedness of natural and social environments. The curriculum integrates various scientific and social science disciplines, promoting education for sustainable development.

Time

Students will explore, define, and explain events and changes across different seasons. They will learn to differentiate between past and present in their own lives and understand that life was different in the past. They will explore aspects of life in the past and present, including housing, food, clothing, work, and transportation. Students will also learn about calendars, days, weeks, months, seasons, and years, and the concept of a timeline. They will learn about the apparent movement of the sun and its connection to the day-night cycle.

Space

Students will learn about their school surroundings and routes to school. They will develop basic orientation skills using familiar objects and learn about the characteristics of their home region or neighborhood, including local institutions. They will understand that landscapes vary across the world and within Slovenia. Students will be introduced to different ways of representing geographical environments, such as maps and globes.

Materials

Students will learn the properties that distinguish solids from liquids and understand that objects are made of one or more materials. They will learn about mixtures and methods for separating them. Students will also explore how materials change properties when mixed and learn about reversible and irreversible changes. They will be introduced to basic safety symbols for hazardous materials. Students will also gain experience working with different materials, tools, and processing techniques, connecting material properties with processing methods.

Forces and Motion

Students will learn to observe, describe, and name their own movements, animal movements, and the movement of toys. They will understand what causes changes in motion. They will also explore the operation and movement of technical devices and vehicles, including their parts. Students will observe and describe how traces of movement are created and what causes them. They will also learn about balance and distinguish it from a state of rest.

Phenomena

Students will monitor and record weather conditions and compare weather patterns across different seasons. They will create simple weather calendars. They will also observe and describe changes and movements of clouds and understand that wind is the movement of air. They will learn to determine wind speed and direction.

Living Beings

Students will identify, name, and compare different living beings and their environments. They will understand that the lives of living beings depend on other beings and non-living nature. They will explore the differences and similarities between plants and animals. Students will learn what they and other living beings need to survive, including food, water, air, and space. They will also learn about the life cycle of living beings, including birth, growth, reproduction, aging, death, and decomposition.

Humans

Students will learn about the importance of a healthy lifestyle, including nutrition, exercise, and rest, for growth, development, and overall health. They will also learn about their bodies and name external body parts. They will explore the effects of harmful substances and learn about common illnesses, treatment, care, and recovery.

Self

Students will recognize similarities and differences between people and learn to introduce themselves with basic information. They will explore different emotional expressions in themselves and others. They will understand that emotions influence behavior. Students will also learn appropriate behaviors for experiencing various emotions.

Communities

Students will learn about different family structures and develop a tolerant attitude towards them. They will learn the names and roles of family members and understand family relationships. They will also learn about the importance of cooperation and respect among family members and the division of labor within families. Students will learn about their school, its staff, and its activities. They will also learn about the importance of certain days of the year and the significance of various celebrations.

Relationships

Students will learn about the importance of rules for social life, from games to school rules and societal norms. They will understand why rules are necessary and learn that everyone has rights and responsibilities. They will also learn about the importance of communication and develop communication skills. They will understand the need to consider their own interests and needs as well as the interests and needs of others.

Traffic

Students will observe and learn about traffic routes near their school and identify safe routes to school. They will learn about traffic signs relevant to pedestrians and cyclists. They will also learn the rules of safe walking and behavior in various means of transport. They will understand the importance of visibility in traffic.

Environmental Education

Students will describe how they and others impact nature and explain how people influence the environment. They will learn how to actively contribute to protecting and preserving the natural environment and organizing the environment in which they live. They will also learn about waste management and the impact of consumption on the environment. They will learn about main pollutants and the consequences of water, air and soil pollution.