Virginia Science Standards of Learning:
4.1 Scientific Investigation, Reasoning, and Logic
The student will plan and conduct investigations in which
a) distinctions are made among observations, conclusions, inferences, and predictions;
b) hypotheses are formulated based on cause-and-effect relationships;
c) variables that must be held constant in an experimental situation are defined;
d) appropriate instruments are selected to measure linear distance, volume, mass, and temperature;
e) appropriate metric measures are used to collect, record, and report data;
f) data are displayed using bar and basic line graphs;
g) numerical data that are contradictory or unusual in experimental results are recognized; and
h) predictions are made based on data from picture graphs, bar graphs, and basic line graphs.
a) distinctions are made among observations, conclusions, inferences, and predictions;
b) hypotheses are formulated based on cause-and-effect relationships;
c) variables that must be held constant in an experimental situation are defined;
d) appropriate instruments are selected to measure linear distance, volume, mass, and temperature;
e) appropriate metric measures are used to collect, record, and report data;
f) data are displayed using bar and basic line graphs;
g) numerical data that are contradictory or unusual in experimental results are recognized; and
h) predictions are made based on data from picture graphs, bar graphs, and basic line graphs.
Understanding 4.1
The skills described in standard 4.1 are intended to define the “investigate” component of all of the other fourth grade standards (4.2–4.8). The intent of standard 4.1 is that students will continue to develop a range of inquiry skills and achieve proficiency with those skills in the context of the concepts developed at the fourth grade. Standard 4.1 does not require a discrete unit on scientific investigation because the inquiry skills that make up the standard should be incorporated in all the other fourth grade standards. It is also intended that by developing these skills, students will achieve greater understanding of scientific inquiry and the nature of science as well as more fully grasp the content-related concepts.
The concepts developed in this standard include the following:
- To communicate an observation accurately, one must provide a clear description of exactly what is observed and nothing more. Those conducting investigations need to understand the difference between what is seen and what inferences, conclusions, or interpretations can be drawn from the observation.
- An inference is a conclusion based on evidence about events that have already occurred. Accurate observations and evidence are necessary to draw realistic and plausible conclusions.
- A scientific prediction is a forecast about what may happen in some future situation. It is based on the application of scientific principles and factual information.
- Systematic investigations require standard measures (metric), consistent and reliable tools, and organized reporting of data. The way the data are displayed can make it easier to uncover important information. This can assist in making reliable scientific forecasts of future events.
- An experiment is a fair test driven by a hypothesis. A fair test is one in which only one variable is compared. A hypothesis is a prediction about the relationship between variables.
- In order to conduct an experiment, one must recognize all of the potential variables or changes that can affect its outcome.
- A manipulated variable is the factor in an experiment that is altered by the experimenter.
- A responding variable is the factor in an experiment that changes as a result of the manipulated variable.
Here is a list of book resources to use with your class for scientific invesitgation
What's the Problem? How to Start Your Scientific Investigation (Step into Science)
By Kylie Burns. 2010. 32p. Crabtree Publishing Company. (978-0778751731).
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*This book is great to share with your students. Students will learn about how and why scientists ask questions. They will also learn how to develop questions when making an experiment.
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*This book is great to share with your students. Students will learn about how and why scientists ask questions. They will also learn how to develop questions when making an experiment.
What's Going to Happen? Making Your Hypothesis (Step into Science)
By Paul Challen. 2010. 32p. Crabtree Publishing Company. (9780778751724).
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*Students will learn how scientists make education guesses when making an experiment. They will also learn about hypotheses and how to make a measurable one.
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*Students will learn how scientists make education guesses when making an experiment. They will also learn about hypotheses and how to make a measurable one.
What's the Plan? Designing Your Experiment (Step into Science)
By Natalie Hyde. 2010. 32p. Crabtree Publishing Company. (9780778751694).
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*Students will learn how to create a procedure to test their hypothesis. (step by step) Students will also learn terms such as control and variables in a scientific setting.
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*Students will learn how to create a procedure to test their hypothesis. (step by step) Students will also learn terms such as control and variables in a scientific setting.
What's Going On? Collecting and Recording Your Data (Step into Science)
By Kylie Burns. 2010. 32p. Crabtree Publishing Company. (9780778751700).
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*Students will become more familiar with observation and recording skills when conducting an experiment. Students will also learn about organizing data recorded in graphs, diagrams, and charts.
What Just Happened? Reading Results and Making Inferences (Step into Science)
By Paul Challen. 2010. 32p. Crabtree Publishing Company. (9780778751717).
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*Students will learn about understanding the data they collected during an experiment. (analyze, interpret, and communicate the results)
What Do We Know Now? Drawing Conclusions and Answering Questions (Step into Science)
By Robin Johnson. 2010. 32p. Crabtree Publishing Company. (9780778751687).
Grades 3-6
Ages 8-11
http://tinyurl.com/7lx2zpj
*This book is a fun way for students to report the results from an experiment. Some examples are science fair demonstration and written report.
How to Think Like a Scientist: Answering Questions by the Scientific Method
Stephen P. Kramer. 1987. 48p. Harper Collins Publishing. (978-0690045659)
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7rw98pg
*This book is somewhat long so depending on the age it may be one that you share as a group instead of letting students browse through. *This book talks about the scientific method as well as why scientists ask questions. Its a great resource for talking about or introducing the scientific method.
Grades 3+
Ages 8+
http://tinyurl.com/7rw98pg
*This book is somewhat long so depending on the age it may be one that you share as a group instead of letting students browse through. *This book talks about the scientific method as well as why scientists ask questions. Its a great resource for talking about or introducing the scientific method.
Study Jams:
*Study Jams-Scientific Inquiry:
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/scientific-methods.htm
**Shows a sing a long video for kids on the scientific method. So much fun and really gets stuck in all the kids heads! You can even print the lyrics to sing along.
http://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/scientific-inquiry/scientific-methods.htm
**Shows a sing a long video for kids on the scientific method. So much fun and really gets stuck in all the kids heads! You can even print the lyrics to sing along.
Interactive Websites for Children:
Enchanted Learning
http://tinyurl.com/2ar93u
*This site is great but there is a registration fee.
*It has science pages and activities to use with your students.
Discovery Kids
http://kids.discovery.com/
*This site has many features to use.
*Kids can use it as an interactive website as well as teachers.
Discovery Education
http://tinyurl.com/6m5nofd
*This site has great activities but there is a registration fee unless your county provides you with access.
*Teachers can send students to this website and complete games or worksheets in relation to science. (interactive)
Scientific Method
http://science.pppst.com/scientificmethod.html
*This site provides presentations, games for kids, and activities for teachers to use with their students.
http://tinyurl.com/2ar93u
*This site is great but there is a registration fee.
*It has science pages and activities to use with your students.
Discovery Kids
http://kids.discovery.com/
*This site has many features to use.
*Kids can use it as an interactive website as well as teachers.
Discovery Education
http://tinyurl.com/6m5nofd
*This site has great activities but there is a registration fee unless your county provides you with access.
*Teachers can send students to this website and complete games or worksheets in relation to science. (interactive)
Scientific Method
http://science.pppst.com/scientificmethod.html
*This site provides presentations, games for kids, and activities for teachers to use with their students.
Printable Worksheet Links:
Your Five Senses
http://tinyurl.com/6of35vo
Classifying Worksheet
http://tinyurl.com/7cefgvd
Tiny Things Scavenger Hunt
http://tinyurl.com/75okblk
http://tinyurl.com/6of35vo
Classifying Worksheet
http://tinyurl.com/7cefgvd
Tiny Things Scavenger Hunt
http://tinyurl.com/75okblk
Assessments:
Scientific Methodhttp://www.quia.com/rd/7331.html
-Assess your students on how well they understand the order of the scientific method.
-This site states that it is for 6th grade but I think that it would be a good resource to use with children in 4th. Students can take it on the computer, check there answers, and correct them.
Scientific Process Vocabulary
http://www.quia.com/mc/457.html
-See how well your students know the vocabulary that goes along with scientific process.
Scientific Method Quizhttp://tinyurl.com/7p3udew
-Another assessment of the scientific method. (20 questions)