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Making and Recording Observations

Making and Recording Observations

TEKS Objective

The student is expected to collect data by observing and measuring using the metric system and recognize differences between observed and measured data.


Essential Understanding

The student uses scientific inquiry methods during laboratory and outdoor investigations.

Science Background

Research Methods, Description: Visionlearning (website) - Learn how scientists use detailed descriptions of their observations to identify patterns in natural systems and events.

Research Methods, Description
Visionlearning, www.visionlearning.com

Signature Lesson

Inquiring Minds: National Institutes of Health (website) – Students use observations as evidence to deduce what is on the bottom of a “mystery” cube.

Inquiring Minds
National Institutes of Health, science.education.nih.gov

The mystery cube template can be found at the following link (pages 1 and 2):

Mystery Cube Templates
National Institutes of Health, science.education.nih.gov

Supporting Lessons

Observing Not Just Watching: Pennsylvania Department of Education (website) – Students practice their observational skills with puzzle pieces and learn the importance of making good, careful observations.

Observing Not Just Watching
Pennsylvania Department of Education, www.pdesas.org

Elaboration Lessons and Extensions

Ooey Gooey: National Institutes of Drug Abuse (PDF) – Students make observations with “goo” and then use these observations to deduce what the ingredients of the “goo”.

Ooey Gooey
National Institutes of Drug Abuse, www.drugabuse.gov

Assessment Ideas

Assessment: North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership (website) - Use the rubrics provided to assess the quality of students’ scientific drawings, daily observations and use of their science notebooks.

Assessment
North Cascades and Olympic Science Partnership, www.sciencenotebooks.org

Literature Connections

So Do You Have a Science Fair Project, Henderson, J. ISBN-13: 978-0471202561

What’s the Plan? Designing Your Experiment. Hyde, Natalie ISBN-13: 978-0778751540

Solving Science Questions: A Book About the Scientific Process. Chappell, Rachel M. ISBN-13: 978-1600445422

Related Science TEKS

(3.1A) Science Safety
The student is expected to demonstrate safe practices as described in the Texas Safety Standards during classroom and outdoor investigations, including observing a schoolyard habitat.

(3.1B) Recycling/Disposal of Science Materials
The student is expected to make informed choices in the use and conservation of natural resources by recycling or reusing materials such as paper, aluminum cans, and plastics.

(3.2A) Plan and Implement Descriptive Investigation
The student is expected to plan and implement descriptive investigations, including asking and answering questions, making inferences, and selecting and using equipment or technology needed, to solve a specific problem in the natural world.

(3.2B) Collect Data
The student is expected to collect data by observing and measuring using the metric system and recognize differences between observed and measured data.

(3.2C) Graphs, Tables, Charts
The student is expected to construct maps, graphic organizers, simple tables, charts, and bar graphs using tools and current technology to organize, examine, and evaluate measured data.

(3.2D) Analyze Evidence and Explain
The student is expected to analyze and interpret patterns in data to construct reasonable explanations based on evidence from investigations.

(3.2E) Value of Repeated Experiments
The student is expected to demonstrate that repeated investigations may increase the reliability of results.

(3.2F) Communicate Conclusions
The student is expected to communicate valid conclusions supported by data in writing, by drawing pictures, and through verbal discussion.

(3.4A) Tools for Collecting and Analyzing Information
The student is expected to collect, record, and analyze information using tools, including microscopes, cameras, computers, hand lenses, metric rulers, Celsius thermometers, wind vanes, rain gauges, pan balances, graduated cylinders, beakers, spring scales, hot plates, meter sticks, compasses, magnets, collecting nets, notebooks, sound recorders, and Sun, Earth, and Moon system models; timing devices, including clocks and stopwatches; and materials to support observation of habitats of organisms such as terrariums and aquariums.

(3.4B) Safety Equipment
The student is expected to use safety equipment as appropriate, including safety goggles and gloves.

Related Math TEKS

3.13A  The student is expected to collect, organize, record, and display data in pictographs and bar graphs where each picture or cell might represent more than one piece of data.

3.13B  The student is expected to interpret information from pictographs and bar graphs.

Additional Resources

Naturalist Journals: BioEd Online (website) - Teacher guide covering the uses and benefits of naturalist journals, which for centuries have helped scientists organize sketches, pictures and written observations.

Naturalist Journals
BioEd Online, www.bioedonline.org

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