Science+Lesson+Plans

[|Upper Elementary Lesson Plans. Includes Worksheets]

[|Webquests]

=Guidelines for Lesson Plans -Science = The following are guidelines, not rules, and can be broken when necessary to make a lesson more effective. Guiding Question: A broad, open-ended question that will pique the student’s curiosity and focus interest on the main concept(s) introduced or expanded upon in the lesson. It should never have a simple yes-or-no answer and does not necessarily need to be resolved in the lesson. For example -

Why does a kite fly?  not  Can I make a kite fly?

Concepts: Are broad, abstract ideas, usually major parts of a theory. The experiment should develop a deeper understanding of this concept. See [|Nine Basic Scientific Concepts], which the National Center for Improving Science Education recommends that elementary schools introduce. Example: Gravity is the force of attraction or pull between all pieces of matter in the universe. Principles: Smaller than concepts, but still theoretical. They show the specific underlying rules which define or govern relationships between specific variables or items. Example: Distance = Rate x Time Facts: Specific data or factual statements that illustrate the concepts and principles discussed above. Example: The colors coming from a prism always appear in the same order. Skills: List the major higher-level thinking skills exercised while doing this experiment. Some examples are: Materials: Be as specific as possible about the size, type, and quantity of materials needed and how much is needed for each group or individual. Use specific weights and measures. List alternatives when they exist. Cite where certain materials can be purchased when appropriate. Introduction: Ask questions that introduce the topic and arouse curiosity. Introduce and define new concepts, principles, and terms. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Activity: Break the activity into small and easily understood segments. Be sure the order is logical and accurate. List only the procedure and save the conclusions and discussion of results for the evaluation. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Evaluation: Summarize the experiment; discuss students’ results. Are any of the principles demonstrated; are any contradicted? Integrate results with concepts; discuss possible extensions. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Extension Ideas: Cite additional resources, activities, or research related to the lesson. Include links to on-line databases, photo archives, etc. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Link to Careers: Identify careers that may be associated with the lesson. Link to any appropriate [|career presentations] and/or [|workplace tours] in our directories.
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Following Directions
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Drawing Conclusions
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making Observations
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Testing a Hypothesis
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Understand Cause-and-Effect Relationships
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Record-Keeping
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Forming a Hypothesis
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Making Inferences
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Measuring (time, weight, temperature etc.)
 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Others – specific to the experiment

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">[|Lesson plans for class]