--- title: 2.ESS.1 description: 2.ESS.1 The atmosphere is primarily made up of air. image: https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Right%20Image.png --- [![Teacher Login](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/f56bee57-133e-4975-8055-799f1f23588b) [Teacher Login](https://app.knowatom.com/signin) [![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo")](https://www.knowatom.com/) # 2.ESS.1 The atmosphere is primarily made up of air. [![Download a Sample Unit](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/20eee377-e175-48fe-a039-ae723137a2a6) Science & Engineering Practices - [Developing and using models](https://www.knowatom.com/developing-and-using-models) - [Planning and carrying out investigations](https://www.knowatom.com/planning-and-carrying-out-investigations) - [Constructing explanations and designing solutions](https://www.knowatom.com/constructing-explanations-and-designing-solutions) - [Engaging in argument from evidence](https://www.knowatom.com/engaging-in-argument-from-evidence) - [Obtaining evaluating and communicating information](https://www.knowatom.com/obtaining-evaluating-and-communicating-information) Disciplinary Core Ideas - [Weather and Climate](https://www.knowatom.com/weather-and-climate) - [Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer](https://www.knowatom.com/conservation-of-energy-and-energy-transfer) Crosscutting Concepts - [Patterns](https://www.knowatom.com/patterns) - [Cause and Effect](https://www.knowatom.com/cause-and-effect) [![New call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/347944/b5a1446e-d782-4a5f-a019-0b3b98c8304f) ## Browse 2.ESS.1 Lesson Plans Grade Ranges All K-2 3-5 6-8 [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Seasonal-Patterns2-1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-patterns) ## [Seasonal Patterns In this unit, students focus on the relationship between Earth’s movement in the solar system and the changing seasons, exploring seasonal patterns in the changing amounts of daylight, temperature, and the environment.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-patterns) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-patterns) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-10-26-56-0229-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) ## [Earth Events In the last unit, students explored the properties of different kinds of matter, connecting a material’s properties with the functions for which it is used. In this unit, students focus on Earth materials and the science phenomena of processes that change them (specifically weathering and erosion). ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/earth-events) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-Oct-07-2023-10-30-42-3210-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/mapping-land-and-water) ## [Mapping Land and Water In the last unit, students explored how weathering and erosion change Earth materials, and then designed an engineering solution that reduces erosion. In this unit, students are introduced to the science phenomena of landforms on Earth’s surface, exploring how scientists use maps to represent the shapes and kinds of land and water on Earth’s surface.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/mapping-land-and-water) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/2nd-grade-science/mapping-land-and-water) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-1.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/heat-and-water) ## [Heat and Water In kindergarten, students begin to develop the practices that scientists and engineers use to help them answer questions and solve problems. This page is a high level extract from lesson 3, where students carry out an experiment to determine how heat affects water in a solid form (ice).](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/heat-and-water) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/heat-and-water) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image2-1.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/weather-patterns) ## [Weather Patterns In kindergarten, students work towards developing routines and practices that scientists use to investigate phenomena and solve problems. This page is an extract from lesson 5 where students build on their weather observation skills as they observe and record local weather data to analyze weather patterns in their geographic area. Students continue to collect weather data over several months as they move onto the next lessons to build on their weather patterns analysis.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/weather-patterns) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/weather-patterns) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Seasonal-Patterns-1.jpg) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-temperature-and-water-cycles) ## [Seasonal Temperatures and Water Cycles In this unit, students investigate the science phenomena of seasonal patterns and water cycles. Once students have analyzed how seasonal patterns of sunrise and sunset can be observed and predicted, they focus on seasonal temperature and rainfall patterns. They investigate temperature patterns of a specific location throughout the year. ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-temperature-and-water-cycles) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/1st-grade-science/seasonal-temperature-and-water-cycles) [![](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/image3-Oct-18-2023-10-46-31-5099-AM.png) ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/windy-weather) ## [Windy Weather In kindergarten, students begin to develop the practices that scientists and engineers use to help them answer questions and solve problems.](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/windy-weather) [ VIEW LESSON ](https://www.knowatom.com/science-phenomena-videos/kindergarten-science/windy-weather) Standards citation: NGSS Lead States. 2013. *Next Generation Science Standards: For States, By State*s. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. Neither WestEd nor the lead states and partners that developed the Next Generation Science Standards were involved in the production of this product, and do not endorse it. ![KnowAtom Logo](https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KnowAtom%20Logo.svg "KnowAtom Logo") Quick Links Resources Sign Up for Our Blog ### Sign Up for Our Blog Connect with Us - - - - © 2026 KnowAtom LLC  •  10 Brady Drive Unit 3   •  Ipswich MA •   01938 USA [DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION](https://www.knowatom.com/do-not-sell-my-personal-information) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.knowatom.com/privacy-policy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.knowatom.com/terms-of-use) ```json { "@context" : "http://schema.org", "@type" : "Organization", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "USA", "addressLocality" : "Salem", "addressRegion" : "MA", "postalCode" : "01970", "streetAddress" : "27 Congress Suite 410" }, "alternateName" : "KA", "areaServed" : { "@type" : "GeoCircle", "geoMidpoint" : { "@type" : "GeoCoordinates", "latitude" : "+42.5182274", "longitude" : "-70.8877569" }, "geoRadius" : "150 km" }, "description" : "Next Generation Science STEM Curriculum", "email" : "fvigeant@knowatom.com", "image" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/KA-GSD.png", "logo" : "https://www.knowatom.com/hubfs/Knowatom-2017/Image/logo-1.png", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.knowatom.com/2.ess.1", "@type" : "WebPage", "description" : "2.ESS.1 The atmosphere is primarily made up of air." }, "name" : "KnowAtom", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.facebook.com/KnowAtom", "https://twitter.com/KnowAtom", "https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCS0rbN0RfqaU1xaISrdVpTA", "https://plus.google.com/110709105138117096940" ], "telephone" : "(617) 475-3475", "url" : "https://www.knowatom.com" } ```