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Author

MOOSE Climate Education

Grades

K, 1st, 2nd

Subjects

Science, Chemistry, Biology, Earth and Space Sciences, English Language Arts, Engineering

Resource Types

  • Lesson Plan
  • Project
  • Digital Text
  • Video, 1 minute, 49 seconds
  • Presentation Slides
  • Activity - Outdoors
  • Experiment
  • Video, 1 minute, 43 seconds, CC, Subtitles
  • Game

Regional Focus

Global, North America, United States, USA - Northeast, Maine

Format

Google Docs, Google Slides, PDF

How Can I Think Like a Scientist?

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Synopsis
  • This learning module introduces students to what scientists do and the scientific process, provides five fun experiments, and then uses a final project to assess their learning.
  • Students will learn through read-alouds, activities, interactive games, hands-on experiments, videos, and reflections.
Teaching Tips

Positives

  • The learning platform is incredibly mindful of students' health as they learn, prompting the learner to take a brain break after they have been on the platform for a certain amount of time.
  • With read-aloud capabilities, self-correcting activities, and an easy-to-use platform, learners of most levels can complete the online portions of this module with little adult support.

Additional Prerequisites

  • There are instructions provided and a materials list for the experiments.
  • Students will need access to a device and the Internet for some portions of the module.

Differentiation

  • One of the included videos briefly mentions solids, liquids, and gases. This module would fit in nicely with a unit on states of matter.
  • Students who have not yet learned to read at this level can still work on this module independently by utilizing the read-aloud feature, which also allows the learner to change the pitch and speed of the read aloud.
  • This can also be used in a unit covering the five senses and how we use them to make observations in our world.
  • With the books included in this module, it is easily extended to reading blocks.
  • Vocabulary words can be added to a word wall and/or students can discuss their meanings prior to the module.
  • This can be extended into writing units by practicing writing sentences with stems. For example, after reading the "I Wonder" book, students can write a sentence about something that makes them curious beginning with the sentence stem.
  • After the initial introduction to thinking like a scientist, students can choose what they want to learn and explore first, giving them a sense of autonomy in their learning.
  • Learners are encouraged to record and share their learning in whatever way works best for them, making it a great resource for all types of learners!
  • Students can use the steps to deliberate scientifically about solutions to climate issues, such as how long it takes certain things to decompose, what happens to plants without the things they need, etc.
Scientist Notes
This website from the Maine Department of Energy is an amazing resource for teachers and students. The module starts by walking students through what a scientist is and what a scientist does. Five experiments are provided so that students can try their hand at thinking like a scientist. A final project outline is provided that encourages students to reflect on what they have observed, gather all of the evidence, and share their results with the class. This would be an excellent resource for a classroom discussion about thinking like a scientist.
Standards
  • Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)
    • ETS1: Engineering Design
      • K-2-ETS1-1 Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through the development of a new or improved object or tool.
      • K-2-ETS1-3 Analyze data from tests of two objects designed to solve the same problem to compare the strengths and weaknesses of how each performs.
  • Common Core English Language Arts Standards (CCSS.ELA)
    • Language (K-12)
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.L.1.1 Demonstrate command of the conventions of standard English grammar and usage when writing or speaking.
    • Reading: Foundational Skills (K-5)
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RF.1.1 Demonstrate understanding of the organization and basic features of print.
    • Speaking & Listening (K-12)
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.2 Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.6 Produce complete sentences when appropriate to task and situation in order to provide requested detail or clarification.
    • Writing (K-12)
      • CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
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