Investigating in Life Science

Goals To engage in a life science inquiry activity and integrate a scientist notebook. To understand the purpose of a scientist notebook and the components. To understand the different types of investigations in an elementary classroom.

Life Science Modules FOSS and STC Modules in Coventry STC Organisms (Grade 1) FOSS Insects (Grade 2) FOSS Structures of Life (Grade 3) STC Ecosystems (Grade 4) FOSS Populations and Ecosystems (Grade 5) Biomes (Grade 5)

RI GSE in Science Domain Statement of Enduring Knowledge Assessment Target Grade Span Expectation Click here for link to RIGSE in Science.

Elements of Teacher’s Planning for Grade 5 Engaging Scenario Focus Question Prediction Planning/Procedures Data/Observations Making Meaning Content Blast Claims and Evidence Conclusions Next Steps/New Questions

Elements of Grade 5 Scientist Notebook Focus Question Prediction Planning/Procedures Data/Observations Claims and Evidence Conclusions Next Steps/New Questions Links to Scientist Notebook Resources: Scientist Notebook Essentials Scientist Notebook Toolkit

Elements of Teacher’s Planning for Grade 1 Engaging Scenario Focus Question Prediction Planning/Procedures Data/Observations Making Meaning Content Blast Conclusions Next Steps/New Questions

Elements of Grade 1 Scientist Notebook Question Observations Conclusions New Questions Go to http://www.ebecri.org/custom/kitspecificresource Click on Grade 1 Organism>New from Meghan Organisms Scientist Notebook Format

Set up New Entry -Write Table of Contents on p. 1 -Write entry in T of C: 1. What Happened Here? . . p. 2 -Add page numbers. -Glue Criteria to inside of front cover. -Glue Writing Prompts to insider back cover

Engaging Scenario

Focus Question

Class Focus Question What’s happening here?

Prediction I think the….because…

Prediction GETTERS: Gather Materials Each Group of Two Two strings Two paper clips Two pennies Scissors Strip of Masking tape Pencil Measuring Tape Draw and write Predictions in notebook.

Planning - Procedures Observation 1: Record what you observe. Make Meaning. Observation 2: Record what you observe. Observation 3. Record what you observe.

Data - Observations Record what you observe using your senses. Draw and write.

Making Meaning What do you observe? What do you think is happening? What’s the evidence?

Word Bank Observation Inference

Claims and Evidence I know this to be true: CLAIM EVIDENCE Here is the evidence:

Conclusion - I learned . . . . I used to think (prediction) Now I think….

Next Steps - New Questions - I want to know . . . I want to try this . . .

Types of Investigating in an Elementary Science Classroom FOCUS QUESTION Describing Collect numerical data and/or observations How is the milkweed bug changing? Classifying Sort or group observations. How can these milkweed bugs be grouped? Controlled Experimenting Conduct a “fair test” that relates effect of manipulated variable on responding variables when other variables are controlled. What happens if we decrease the temperature of the habitat for the milkweed bug?

DESCRIBING Identify what to observe. Develop an Observation Guide that anticipates what can be observed using multiple senses Develop a data organizer that facilitates easy comparison of different observations.

CLASSIFYING Identify criteria for comparison using multiple senses. Develop a data organizer that facilitates easy comparison of different observations.

CONTROLLED EXPERIMENTING Identify Variables. Type of Variable Example Manipulated what to change Temperature Responding what to observe Locomotion Controlled what to keep the same Food, water, air, space, shelter