The kindergarten and first grade students learned prediction, empirical data gathering, graphing, and comparing the prediction to the results. They first guessed how many students had green, brown, and blue eyes. Then they examined each other's eyes and charted the data. Finally, they made personal connections by illustrating three other things that are the same color as their own eyes.
The students were given aluminum foil sheets, a tub of water, and pennies. The objective was to experiment with different “boat” designs to determine which could hold the most weight (pennies). The main purpose of the lesson was to experiment with the height, width, and depth of the boat designs. There were other variables that some discovered. The first time the boat was tested, it was dry. During successive tests of the same design, the boat was wet, and consequently, heavier. Some students learned to gently place the boat in the water, and gently add pennies. Others dropped pennies from various heights, sinking their boats.
The students learned that even their strongest opinions needed to stand up to scientific testing. In cases where the results varied widely from one test to another, critical thinking was required to identify what was causing the variation.
At the end of the lesson, the students showed their designs and explained their thinking about the design, and how much weight they held. Using words to describe their learning, and then paraphrasing one another’s learning, helped to deepen their understanding.
Author:
Michelle Yee
Last modified:
4/14/2008 8:43 AM (EST)
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