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Observable Patterns

Observable Patterns

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to make predictions based on observable patterns. 

Essential Understanding

The student knows that information and critical thinking are used in scientific problem solving. 

Science Background

Making Predictions, A Strategy for Reading and Science Learning: Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle (website) - Explains the relationship between predicting in reading and science, and between a predication and a hypothesis.

Making Predictions, A Strategy for Reading and Science Learning
Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle, beyondweather.ehe.osu.edu

Playing with Magnets and Learning about the Property of Materials: NSTA Blog (website) - To make a prediction, one must apply prior knowledge while focusing on what he/she thinks will happen next. This brief article presents strategies for helping your students develop the skill of predicting.

Playing with Magnets and Learning about the Property of Materials
NSTA Blog, nstacommunities.org

Predictable Patterns: Explorit Science Center (website) - Explains how the ability to recognize a pattern can help students to predict what will happen next.

Predictable Patterns
Explorit Science Center, www.explorit.org

Signature Lesson

A Matter of Pattern: Science NetLinks (website) - Students create and predict patterns by making paper snowflakes. They learn that patterns may be predicted based on observation.

A Matter of Pattern
Science NetLinks, www.sciencenetlinks.com

Supporting Lessons

Science Fair Project Water Experiment: Easy-Science-Fair-Projects (website) - Students observe two cups of water, one with salt and one without. They predict which cup of water will freeze fastest, set the cups in a freezer, and communicate the results.

Science Fair Project Water Experiment
Easy-Science-Fair-Projects, www.easy-science-fair-projects.net

Floating and Sinking: Kids Science Experiments (website) - Students predict which objects will float or sink in water, test their predictions, record the data, and report the results.

Floating and Sinking
Kids Science Experiments, www.lovemyscience.com

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Floating Sponge: Kids Science Experiments (website) - Students predict whether or not a sponge will sink or float in water, and then test their predictions.

Floating Sponge
Kids Science Experiments, www.lovemyscience.com

Assessment Ideas

Divide students into groups of four and give each group a pre-cut, six-sided snowflake. Instruct groups to cut their snowflakes in half. Collect one half of each of the group’s snowflake and put those halves on a table. Then have each group come to the table and identify the match to its snowflake half. 

Literature Connections

Wind & Weather. Onish, Liane, ed. (ISBN-13: 978-0590476461)

Geoffrey Groundhog Predicts the Weather. Koscielniak, Bruce (ISBN-13: 978-0395883983)

Same Old Horse, Murphy Stuart (ISBN-13: 978-0060557713)

Bow-Wow Orders Lunch. Newgarden, Mark (ISBN-13: 978-0152058296)

Why Do Leaves Change Color? Maestro, Betsy (ISBN-13: 978-0064451260)

Learning About Leaves. Wrazen, Shanna (ISBN-13: 978-0823981021)

No Roses for Harry. Zion, Gene (ISBN-13: 978-0064430111) 

Related Science TEKS

(1.2A) Ask Questions
The student is expected to ask questions about organisms, objects, and events observed in the natural world.

(1.2B) Plan and Conduct Descriptive Investigations
The student is expected to plan and conduct simple descriptive investigations such as ways objects move.

(1.2C) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data and make observations using simple equipment such as hand lenses, primary balances, and non-standard measurement tools.

(1.2D) Record and Organize Data & Observations
The student is expected to record and organize data and observations using pictures, numbers, and words.

(1.2E) Communicate Observations
The student is expected to communicate observations with others about simple descriptive investigations.

(1.4A) Tools for Collecting Information
The student is expected to collect information using tools, including computers, hand lenses, primary balances, cups, bowls, magnets, collecting nets, and notebooks; timing devices, including clocks and timers; non-standard measuring items such as paper clips and clothespins; weather instruments such as demonstration thermometers and wind socks; and materials to support observations of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

Related Math TEKS

1.9A    Collect and sort data.

1.9B     Use organized data to construct real object graphs, picture graphs, and bar-type graphs.

1.11C   Select or develop an appropriate problem-solving plan or strategy including drawing a picture, looking for a pattern, systematic guessing and checking, or acting it out in order to solve a problem.

1.11D  Use tools such as real objects, manipulatives, and technology to solve problems.

1.12A  Explain and record observations using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology.

1.13A  Justify his or her thinking using objects, words, pictures, numbers, and technology. 

Additional Resources

Lessons on Predictions for First Grade: eHow (website) - Several ideas for activities aimed to enhance and assess students’ abilities to make predications.

Lessons on Predictions for First Grade
eHow.com

Science Activities in Early Childhood Prepare for a Lifetime of Learning: National Science Teachers Association (website) - Children benefit from exposure to science situations in which they experience the world, describe what they see, collect and record data, ask questions, and make predictions based upon available information. Read more about how to help students become life long questioners.

Science Activities in Early Childhood Prepare for a Lifetime of Learning
National Science Teachers Association, nstacommunities.org

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