Introducing Science Skills Day-By-Day Walkthrough
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Introduction Unit
Day 1:
– I had my students fill out a Student Profile. I find it is a good way for me to get to know my students
– I use Edmodo.com for my class site so I gave out the class sign up instructions. On my class site, I provide homework reminders as well as everything that needs to be printed for the next day.
– Black Dot “test”– We are all guilty of only looking at what’s right in front of us. This activity asks the students to look at the diagram on the board and write down everything they see. Most if not all, will talk about the black dot. I bring up the fact that very few talked about the white area around the dot even though it takes up much more of the page. This is similar to how people see the world and hopefully through science, they can get away from this.
– Intro to course template– click here for a template version
– I utilize the Flipped Classroom and so I review this with my students. If you want to learn more about it, click here
– To end my spiel, I ask my students to write down how they learn science most effectively
– To conclude my lesson I showed the video Bill Nye – Pseudoscience while my students filled in the accompanying worksheet. I love this video because it looks at what is science and what isn’t (i.e. Astronomy vs. Astrology). Click the link to download the worksheet and get a link to the video
Homework: To get my kids really excited about taking science, I have them do a little research at home to find the most amazing science thing they can and do a short, 1-minute presentation next day. They are to describe what their amazing thing is and why is it amazing in their presentation. As a class, we vote on our favorites. The winners get a prize. This is due in 2 days.
Day 2:
Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – What would happen if you were shrunk?
Discussion: Talked about the “shortcomings” of being that small.
– I followed the video up with a short discussion on the concept behind Ant-Man and connected it to last day where we learned about Scientific Literacy. I did this because I feel it’s important that everyone can think about and understand (even critique) the things around them using their understanding of science.
– I then began my Science Skills and Safety PowerPoint. Within the PowerPoint I completed the following sections:
- Scientific Literacy
- Lab Safety (started)
Homework: For homework, the students need to get their “Student Contract” filled in and returned.
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Day 3:
Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – Can You Trust Your Eyes? A great video by ASAP Science that looks at optical illusions. Generate discussion by asking your students what illusions they have experienced
– Students presented their “Most Amazing Thing About Science” 1-minute presentation
– I then continued my Science Skills and Safety PowerPoint. Within the PowerPoint, I completed the following sections:
- Lab Safety –> students then completed a safety equipment scavenger hunt- Lab Safety Handout
- WHMIS, MSDS, and HHPS
- Observations vs. Inferences
- Started Significant Digits
Day 4:
Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – How Are Contrails Formed? *Note: Before showing the video I googled Contrails and showed pictures of them on the board. I then asked the students to tell me what causes them – most said exhaust like from a car – an excellent (but incorrect) guess.
– I then continued my Science Skills and Safety PowerPoint. Within the PowerPoint, I completed the section on:
- Significant Digits
- To conclude the class the student were given time to start their homework – Page 2-4 of Scientific Notation and Significant Digits Practice
Homework:
Students needed to complete page 2-4 of – Scientific Notation and Significant Digits Practice
Day 5:
Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – What Causes Bruises To Change Color?
– I then continued my Science Skills and Safety PowerPoint. Within the PowerPoint, I completed the section on:
- Significant Notation
– To conclude the class the student were given time to start their homework – Page 1 of Scientific Notation and Significant Digits Practice
Homework: Students needed to complete page 1 of – Scientific Notation and Significant Digits Practice
Day 6:
Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – Could You Be Iron Man? We will be discussing Electricity and Energy later so I link this video to electricity/energy generation. To power an Iron Man suit, you need a lot of energy so we discuss fusion at the very basic level.
– I’m almost done my Science Skills and Safety PowerPoint but since the content is so new to my students (and so important), I’m not rushing it. Plus the nature of it isn’t super exciting to begin with. There are a lot of opportunities to stop, practice what we learned and have some fun with it so I try to do so as much as possible. I especially like the Procedure section, the kids always love that one. Within the PowerPoint, I mostly completed the section on:
- The Scientific Method.
Homework: Students needed to complete the Variables Worksheet.
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Day 7:
Class starter – A minds-on fun science video to get them focused and thinking science – Why Don’t Spiders Stick To Their Webs?
– I finished my Science Skills and Safety PowerPoint Within the PowerPoint, I completed the section on:
- The Scientific Method
- Metric Conversions
While completing the Scientific Method portion of the lesson, I came up with this great little demonstration on the spot. I had a student toss a tissue box from one side of the room to the other while trying to get it into a box that was resting on a stool. As a class, we came up with a hypothesis for her accuracy (If ____ attempts multiple times to make the shot, then her accuracy will improve). As she was throwing the tissue box, we were measuring how far it landed from the box and recorded it in a table and on a graph. Eventually, she got it in and the class went wild. In the end, what we ended up with was an excellent example of data collection and hypothesis testing all of which was done in a fun and active way.
Homework: Students needed to complete the Metric Conversions Worksheet
Day 8:
– Test Day on my Science Skills and Safety PowerPoint
– Once the test was complete, the students did their data collection for their Senses_lab. The Senses Lab is a lot of fun. The students get to use metre sticks to check how the use of different sense, affects their reaction time. I give my students 4 school days to submit their lab report.
Homework: Students are working on their Senses Lab.
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