I. Curricular Framework

Concept:

Problem Solving

Essential Question:

How does using the scientific method of discovery lead to more accurate hypotheses?

Bridge:

Abstract Art

Content:

Principles of the Scientific Method

Outcomes:

II. Standards Aligned

III. Instruction and Assessment

1. Connect: Connecting to the Concept Experientially

Objective: To illustrate the limitation of sight as an observer.

Activity: Place a box containing a mystery object in front of the student. Instruct them not to touch the box, but list five things that could not be in the box and five things that could possibly be in the box.

Assessment: The student notes are checked for participation.

2. Attend: Attending to the Connection

Objective: To practice observation with the other senses.

Activity: Tell the student to pick up the box and observe it with senses other than sight. Hypothesize about what object is in the box. Open the box to check hypothesis. In a group activity, decide what is involved in good observation. Have the students rate themselves on a scale of 1-5 on their ability to make a good observation.

Assessment: Participation will be determined by the quality of student responses.

Assessment, Phase One, Level of Engagement, Fascination:

3. Image: Creating a Mental Picture

Objective: To acknowledge differences in perception and relate to an individual's concept of the world.

Activity: Present students with 3 or 4 abstract works of art. Tell them to observe carefully and hypothesize about titles. In small group discussions, the students will compare observations to select one title.

Assessment: The student responses will be checked for diversity of ideas.

Assessment, Phase Two, Seeing the Big Picture:

4. Inform: Receiving Facts & Knowledge

Objective: To teach the scientific method.

Activity: The teacher will demonstrate an experiment which illustrates the steps of the scientific method. Any experiment which clearly demonstrates carefully to observe, hypothesis formation, experimentation, data collection, analysis and a conclusion is appropriate. Example: an experiment to determine the period of a pendulum.

Assessment: Notes from the demonstration will be checked for thoroughness and clarity.

Assessment, Phase Three, Success with Acquiring Knowledge:

5. Practice: Developing Skills

Objective: To practice skills associated with the scientific method.

Activity: Teacher directed activities that develop skills associated with the scientific method: observation, hypothesis, formation, experimentation and drawing conclusions.

Assessment: Individual papers are selected for grading.

Assessment, Phase Four, Success with Acquiring Skills:

6. Extend: Extending Learning to the Outside World

Objective: To use the scientific method to solve a problem.

Activity: The students will test the composition of water color markers using paper chromatography.

Assessment: The teacher will check the results of the chromatography experiment.

7. Refine: Refining the Extension

Objective: To organize lab data into a lab report.

Activity: Students will write a rough draft of their chromatography lab. In small groups they will edit and refine each other's lab reports. Each group member must make at least one suggestion for improving each report.

Assessment: The rough draft will be evaluated in group activity.

8. Perform: Creative Manifestation of Material Learned

Objective: To share final reports.

Activity: The students will share their rough drafts and finished drafts with the larger group.

Assessment: Presentation and grading of the final lab report.

Assessment, Phase Five,Performance, Creative Use of Material Learned: