Testing Ideas

Title: Testing Ideas

Author: Cota

Week: 

Unit/Lesson Plan #: Chapter 2, lesson 4

Unit theme: Scientific thinking, observing, inferring, and hypothesizing

Textbook references:

 pages 33-38

Learning objectives:

1.Write a hypothesis that can be investigated.

2. Identify the cause and effect in a hypothesis.

3. Identify the variables that must be controlled in order to conduct a fair test (controlled experiment).

Key Questions, Concepts, or Themes:

Stage 1

 Getting started: Tell students you are going to perform a scientific test. Select two different brands of paper towel. Use a whole sheet of the frist brand to absorb 100 mL water. Use half of sheet of the second brand to absrob 100mL of corn syrup from another bowl. Show the students the results. Tell them you have conculded that the first brand of paper towel is the most absorbent. Ask students if they agree with you.

Why is the test unfair?

How can they improve it?

Experiment testing ideas: Material (milk, food colring,  dish washing detergent) 

1. record obervations

2. infer

3. investgative question

4. hypothesis

A Link Between Cause and Effect, p. 35. Have students read this selection and identify the cause and effect in the hypothesis.

Now Answer These, p. 36. After allowing time for students to formulate answers, discuss their responses in class.

Stage 2:

Assessment, ATE p. 36. Share the following with students: Michael thought that the fizziness of carbonated lemonade depended on the amount of sugar. Identify the cause and effect in his hypothesis. In testing his hypothesis, what should he change? What should he keep the same?

SourceBook, pp. S14, S16, S18. These selections help students understand how to formulate and test hypotheses, make scientific observations, perform experiments, draw conclusions, and communicate results.

Science Skills Worksheet, p. 28. This worksheet helps students understand the use of variables. They determine why bread collapsed during baking.

Stage 3:

Extension, ATE p. 36. Have students think of a practical problem they would like to solve, such as finding out what dishwashing soap cuts grease the best. Have them conduct a controlled experiment to solve the problem. Check students’ proposed procedures before allowing them to proceed.

Homework: (attach/link digital resources):

Homework, ATE p. 35. Propose the following scenario to students: You hear a friend say that aspirin will make plants grow better. You wish to do a controlled experiment to find out if this is true. Describe your experiment, being sure to state your hypothesis, and list the variables you would control.

Assessments: (attach/link copies)

__ Group assessment

__ Observation of process/student work

__ Self-assessment by student

__ Teacher generated assignment

__ Written project

__ Test/Quiz

__ Other: ____________________________________