Fourth Grade Unit: EXPAND

Expand: CLASSROOM RESEARCH ON-LINE RESEARCH, VENN DIAGRAM

KEY CONCEPTS

• Structure and Function in Living Systems
• Diversity and Adaptations of organisms

What is an adaptation: behavior, body structure. Specific animal adaptations

• Genetic diversity and human selection
• Form and Function
• Habitats

 

CRITICAL SKILL

• Describe observed events.
• Develop questions on scientific topics
• Collect data for investigations.
• Compare observations of individual and group results.
• Science as collaborative
• The process of inquiry

SUMMARY

Students review their observations, form a research question, write down their idea and their reasoning, then research further information. They write up findings for an oral report. During presentations, others can ask educated questions based on their own research.

MATERIALS NEEDED

Internet connection, a computer lab, science journals, completed observation sheets, circle of science poster or handout.

DIRECTIONS

1. Students review their observations and form a question to research, such as "Why do donkeys have long ears?" Or, "Why do chickens have beaks?"

2. They then write down their ideas about the answer, and a reason for why they think this. The reason might be based on observations made at the farm. It might also just be based on prior knowledge.

3. The teacher introduces (draws or posts) the circle of science: observations, hypothesis, research question, methodology, data collection, results, conclusions and further questions that spur more observations, a new hypothesis etc, etc and so goes the circle.

4. Students then go to websites suggested for further information.

5. Students take notes about what they are reading. Keep in mind the question at all times so you are not distracted by other information.

6. Once they have researched and recorded, they write up the findings and prepare to give an oral report about what they discovered.

7. In the report students should refer to the Circle of Science, and be sure to include what they discovered compared with what they thought.

8. Other students might have had different or similar ideas on the same subject. During oral presentations, others can ask educated questions based on their own research on a similar topic.