Working like a scientist

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Contents Unit Overview Meeting Agenda .......................................................................................... 3 Unit Objective ............................................................................................. 4

How to Read Like a Scientist Reading Inventory ....................................................................................... 6 Interactive Notebook Strategy .................................................................... 7 Reading Worksheet .................................................................................... 8 Supervolcano Example ............................................................................... 9

How to Write Like a Scientist Interactive Scientific Method Lab ............................................................. 11 Observation Lab ........................................................................................ 12 Scientific Method Notes (using Interactive Notebook Strategy) .............. 13 Parts of Experiment Notes (using Interactive Notebook Strategy) .......... 14 Student Scientific Explanation Scaffold ................................................... 15 Turning the Scaffold into a final lab report ................................................ 16

How to Think Like a Scientist Penny Drops (1) ........................................................................................ 18 Cookie crumbles ....................................................................................... 19

Contact Information If you have any questions ........................................................................ 21

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Unit Overview Meeting Agenda ............................................................................................. 3 Unit Objective ................................................................................................ 4

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Unit Overview Meeting Agenda

1. Introduction 2. How to use the notebook 3. "How to Read Like a Scientist" -Reading Inventory -Interactive Notebook Strategy -Reading worksheet (Supervolcano Example) 4. "How to Write Like a Scientist" -Interactive Scientific Method Lab -Observation Lab -Notes: Scientific Method and Parts of an Experiment -Student Scientific Explanation Scaffold -Turning the Scaffold into a final lab report 5. "How to Think Like a Scientist" -Penny Drops Two -Cookie Crumbles

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Unit Overview Unit Objective

The “Working Like A Scientist Unit” was created by the eighth grade science PLC with the purpose of enhancing student science literacy skills. The unit is divided into three sections: “reading like a scientist”, “writing like a scientist”, and “acting like a scientist”. At the end of the 2008-2009 school year we determined that the unit was successful in its mission; eighth grade science teachers saw an improvement in student writing. Students were more descriptive when describing what they observed in activities, answered science prompt questions with more depth, and used science vocabulary more appropriately.

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How to Read Like a Scientist Reading Inventory .......................................................................................... 6 Interactive Notebook Strategy ....................................................................... 7 Reading Worksheet ........................................................................................ 8 Supervolcano Example .................................................................................. 9

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How to Read Like a Scientist Reading Inventory We will begin this lesson by having students complete a reading inventory. Sci Rdg Inventory.doc

In the spring students will complete the reading inventory again. This will help to show how effective the "Interactive Notebook Strategy" was.

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How to Read Like a Scientist Interactive Notebook Strategy 1. Students will share what strategies they use when reading for comprehension. The teacher will keep track of the responses on the board. 2. We will then model the "Interactive Notebook Strategy" with students. This model will be used throughout the year. Interactive Notebook Strategy 3. After we have modeled the strategy as a class, students will practice using the model on their own. Their notes will be submitted for teacher review. 4. During the next class, the teacher will share student work and answer any last questions.

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How to Read Like a Scientist Reading Worksheet Observations regarding the use of the interactive notebook strategy: 1. For some learners, the process encouraged higher-level thinking 2. Through diagramming, students were able to connect the material to their personal experiences 3. For students at a lower readiness level, the format was too cumbersome 4. Teachers found the strategy impractical to use on a daily basis 5. The process depends on the organizational skills of the students An alternative to the interactive notebook strategy was developed. Below are some examples: Scientific Method Reading Assignment.doc Reading WS.doc

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How to Read Like a Scientist Supervolcano Example Example for "Reading Like a Scientist" Article:

MAMLE Reading.doc

Reading Worksheet:

Supervolcano Reading Assig-2.doc

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How to Write Like a Scientist Interactive Scientific Method Lab ................................................................ 11 Observation Lab ........................................................................................... 12 Scientific Method Notes (using Interactive Notebook Strategy) .................. 13 Parts of Experiment Notes (using Interactive Notebook Strategy) .............. 14 Student Scientific Explanation Scaffold ...................................................... 15 Turning the Scaffold into a final lab report ................................................... 16

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How to Write Like a Scientist Interactive Scientific Method Lab This online activity will be a "refresher" of the scientific method Scientific Method Labs The following worksheet will accompany the lab: Interactive Scientific Method Lab.doc

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How to Write Like a Scientist Observation Lab Food Coloring Lab Activity Materials (per group): 1 test tube rack 3 test tubes- filled with water, vinegar, and oil 1 food coloring dropper Procedure: 1. Obtain all materials 2. Place one drop of food coloring in test tube one, containing water 3. Observe and Record...Wait 30-60 seconds to observe how the food coloring acts 4. Place one drop of food coloring in test tube two, containing vinegar 5. Observe and Record...Wait 30-60 seconds to observe how the food coloring acts 6. Place one drop of food coloring in test tube three, containing oil 7. Observe and Record...Wait 30-60 seconds to observe how the food coloring acts 8. Observations will go in a table that you will create 9. Clean up. Rinse out test tube containing water and vinegar. Place the oil test tube in the test tube rack by the teacher's desk.

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How to Write Like a Scientist Scientific Method Notes (using Interactive Notebook Strategy) Students will need a three-ringed binder and lined paper for their science notebook. The notes will be provided to the students and we will use the "Interactive Notebook Strategy" as we discuss them as a class. The Scientific Method.doc

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How to Write Like a Scientist Parts of Experiment Notes (using Interactive Notebook Strategy) Parts of an Experiment.doc

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How to Write Like a Scientist Student Scientific Explanation Scaffold This scaffold will be used as part one of our "lab report". Students will use the scaffold as a rough draft. Student Scientific Explana-3.doc

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How to Write Like a Scientist Turning the Scaffold into a final lab report The students will follow the steps in the attached format to turn their scaffold into a lab report. Lab Report Format-2.doc

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How to Think Like a Scientist Penny Drops (1) ........................................................................................... 18 Cookie crumbles .......................................................................................... 19

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How to Think Like a Scientist Penny Drops (1) Part I: Stdents will complete the "Penny Drops 1" lab penny_drops-4.pdf

Part II: Students will complete the "Penny Drops 2" lab penny_drops_2.pdf

Part III: Students will complete the scaffold based on their results from "Penny Drops 2" Part IV: Using the lab report format, students will present their findings in paragraph form for "Penny Drops 2".

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How to Think Like a Scientist Cookie crumbles Part I: Students are given the Cookie Crumbles Prompt (from Uncovering Student Ideas in Science Vol. 1 & 2 published by NSTA) Cookie Crumbles Prompt: Imagine you have a whole cookie. You break the cookie into tiny pieces and crumbs. You weigh all of the pieces and crumbs. How do you think the weight of the whole cookie compares to the total weight of all the cookie crumbs? Circle the best answer. A. B. C.

The whole cookie weighs more than all of the cookie crumbs. All of the cookie crumbs weigh more than the whole cookie. The whole cookie and all of the cookie crumbs weigh the same.

Describe your thinking. Provide an explanation for your answer. Part II: Students are given the Explanation Analysis Rubric and asked to take a second look at their response originally given in the Cookie Crumbles Promps. Does the resonse meet the criteria? Sci Explanation Analysis.doc Part III: Students are asked to rewrite their original response to the Cookie Crumbles Prompt using the Explanation Analysis as a guide for the revision. Comments are then made to the student regarding what could still be improved upon.

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Contact Information If you have any questions ............................................................................ 21

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Contact Information If you have any questions If you have any questions, please email: Brenda Ireland Saco Middle School Saco, Maine [email protected] Michaela Lamarre Saco Middle School Saco, Maine [email protected]