LESSON PLAN SCIENCE, GRADE 6

Date: 4/15/2017
Teacher(s) Name: Mr. Guler
Grade: 6, Science
Lesson: Introduction to Scientific Method
Content Area: Unit: 1 Science as Inquiry

Description/Abstract of Lesson: Students will identify and rehearse the seven steps of
the scientific method through an activity and figure out the steps in a given story also
memorize the steps with an acronym. This outcome is crucial for students being able to
recognize the logical approach to problem solving and thinking like a scientist in both
science class and the real world. Being able to identify the steps within a scenario will
set students up for success in mastering each individual step throughout this unit.

Timeline of Lesson: 78 minutes

Science Louisiana Grade Level Expectations (GLE)

SI GLE 38 Explain that, through the use of scientific processes and knowledge, people can
solve problems, make decisions, and form new ideas (SI-M-B6)

SI GLE 27 Recognize that science uses processes that involve a logical and empirical, but
flexible, approach to problem solving (SI-M-B1) 1

Objectives: Upon successful completion of this lesson, students will be able to:

a) Explore the 7 steps of the scientific method that will be used throughout the
year
b) List and name the steps, also underline the steps in a given story.
This outcome is crucial for students being able to recognize the logical approach to problem
solving and thinking like a scientist in both science class and the real world. Being able to
identify the steps within a scenario will set students up for success in mastering each
individual step throughout this unit.

Instructional Objective: With the acronym provided, students will be able to state the
seven steps of the scientific method and identify the seven steps in a given story with 100%
accuracy.

Materials: Smartboard, Handouts for students, computer, a bag of M&Ms, Power Point
Presentation that goes with handout, pencil.

Introduction:

Begin instruction with a Catalyst problem.

1. What does it mean to you to think like a scientist?

2. In your own words, what is the Scientific Method? Why do we use it?

3. What are two experiments you would like to conduct in your science lab later in the year?
 The problem could be presented on the Smart Board as the students entered the class. Students work on the Do Now during the taking of
attendance, collection of homework, and other administrative tasks. Teacher and students will discuss the answers / comments.

Model the Activity

Instructional Activities and Procedures

Whole class: The teacher will use a bag of M&M for intro activity hook/modeling and asking them what they would wonder and would like to
know about the bag of M&M. And when the variety of answers were given by students completed, teacher will pick the question How many
M&Ms are in the bag and tell the students that this is the first step in the scientific method, which is the asking question. And then teacher moves to
next steps listed below.

1. Ask a question.
What are you trying to find out in your experiment?
2. Make observations and do research.
What do you notice that relates to your question?
What have other people did before you found out about this topic?
You will not ALWAYS do research when you perform and experiment.
3. Form a hypothesis.
Make a guess about what will happen.
4. Perform the experiment.
5. Analyze the data and results.
Look at your information, and think about what it says.
6. Draw conclusions.
Decide whether your hypothesis was right or wrong.
7. Communicate results.
Write a letter, write an article for a journal, tell your friend, make a website!
 Agenda
Time Procedures/Activities Materials/Content
_7__ Minutes Catalyst (Bell 4. What does it mean to you to think like a scientist?
work/Warm-up) 5. In your own words, what is the Scientific Method? Why do we use it?
6. What are two experiments you would like to conduct in your science lab later in the year?
_8__ Minutes New M&M intro activity hook/modeling
Material/Modeling
15 Minutes Intro to steps
1. Ask a question.
What are you trying to find out in your experiment?
2. Make observations and do research.
What do you notice that relates to your question?
What have other people before you found out about this topic?
You will not ALWAYS do research when you perform and experiment.
3. Form a hypothesis.
Make a guess about what will happen.
4. Perform the experiment.
5. Analyze the data and results.
Look at your information, and think about what it says.
6. Draw conclusions.
Decide whether your hypothesis was right or wrong.
7. Communicate results.
Write a letter, write an article for a journal, tell your friend, make a website!

Watch me name the steps

Bob noticed that his cat likes some kinds of cat food, but not all kinds. Bob wonders, What is Fluffys favorite
type of cat food? Bob thinks that Fluffys favorite is Purina Chicken Flavored cat food. When Fluffy has her next
10 Minutes meal, Bob puts out two cat food bowls, one with Purina Chicken Flavored cat food, and one with Friskies tuna
flavored cat food. When Fluffy comes into the kitchen, she eats 10 bites of Purina cat food, and 3 bites of
Friskies cat food. Bob looks at these numbers, and decides that Fluffy must like Purina better. He writes a letter
to his brother to tell him what happened.
_13__ Guided Practice Whole group practice: Figure out the seven steps of the scientific method in the story.
Minutes Larry wonders whether a baseball or a tennis ball will bounce higher. He guesses that it will be the
tennis ball. Larry takes both balls outside, and holds them at the same height. He drops each one, and
measures the distance it bounces. The tennis ball bounces 10 inches, and the baseball bounces 4
inches. Larry looks at these measurements, and decides that his hypothesis was correct the tennis ball
bounces higher. He runs inside to tell his mom what he found.

Partner practice: Partner practice: identify steps in hamburger example on worksheet in packet
Neil Patrick Harris observed that Harold and Kumar could eat a lot. He told Harold and Kumar to go to White
Castle and have a competition about who could eat more burgers. Neil Patrick Harris thought that Kumar could
7 minutes eat the most burgers because he had not eaten for 24 hours. The two friends bought two Crave Cases (50
burgers each) and began their competition. Harold ate 37.5 burgers, and Kumar ate 33.25 burgers. Neil Patrick
Harris told the manager of White Castle about their competition.

_8_ Minutes Independent Practice Read the story and then answer the followed questions.
James and Robert wanted to see who could sell the most CDs in the month of August. In the month of July,
Robert had sold more, so he thought he would win again in August. At the end of the month, they found that
James had sold 2000 CDs and Robert had sold 3500. Robert went on 94.1 and announced to his listeners that
he was better than James.
1. What was the question Robert and James wanted to answer?
2. What observation did Robert make?
3. What was Roberts hypothesis?
4. How did they perform the experiment?
5. What was the data?
6. What conclusion can we draw?
7. How did Robert communicate his results?
_8__ Minutes Exit slip:
Match the parts of the Scientific Method with the parts of the experiment.
Assessment/Evaluation Question d. Experiment g. Communicate
 Observation e. Data
Hypothesis f. Conclusion
1. Fred found that 57 students liked Skittles and 83 liked Starbursts

2. Fred told Ms. Brown about his results. 5. Fred wondered whether
KST students preferred Skittles or Starbursts.

3. Fred surveyed 140 students at KST. 6. Fred thought that more

students liked Skittles than Starbursts.

4. Fred decided that more students liked Starbursts than Skittles. 7. Fred noticed a lot of
_2__ Minutes Follow- HomeworkSkittles wrappers
in packet in space
In the the garbage
below,cans at KST.
create your own story that covers ALL 7 STEPS of the Scientific
up/activities/homework Method. Make sure someone can read it and pick out all the steps.
 Modifications / Differentiated Instruction:

Differentiation

Partners for guided practice will be paired heterogeneously so that higher-level students can assist lower level
students. Tier 3 students will complete a different Independent Practice worksheet than other students.

Modifications/Accommodations

Test Read Aloud Assign preferential seating

Modify/repeat /model instructions C.Bracken Small group testing Calculators
Increase time allowed for classwork, homework, and tests
Shorten tasks, extra credit
T.Reed Extended time; prior notice of test; allow breaks; provide Assign peer tutors/work buddies/note takers/scribe
assistance/cues for transition between classes, lockers, and home. Increase time allowed for classwork and tests, homework and
Small group testing projects
T.Carter Modify assignments (as needed)
Provide small group instruction, specified seating
Extended time; Small Group Administration
Test Read Aloud, Small group testing
Calculators
Modify/repeat directions Provide small group instruction
D.Latimore Assistive Technology (Calculator) Provide small group instruction, Assign preferential seating,
modify and repeat directions
Increase time allowed for classwork and tests
Increase time allowed for classwork and tests, homework and
Assign preferential seating D.Foster projects
Modify/repeat/model directions Test Read Aloud
M.Jones Provide small group instruction, allow breaks Calculators Small group testing, Extra time-tests
Test Read Aloud, Small group testing, Extended time. Assign preferential seating, small group instruction.
Assistive Technology (Calculator, Dictionary) D.Hatfield Test Read Aloud
Extra time-tests, Small group testing, Calculator

Also, note that some students will prefer to draw the figures and not use the materials given. This should be
allowed. However, if students are having trouble drawing the figures, they should be encouraged to use the
manipulative materials provided.

Evaluation (Formative and/or Summative Assessment)

Students will complete an exit slip matching steps of the scientific method to steps in a given story. Students
matching at least 5/7 steps correctly will receive a mastery sticker on the GLE tracker. Students scoring lower
than 5/7 will receive remedial work/attention from me throughout the unit to prepare for mastering the unit test.

Exit slip:
Match the parts of the Scientific Method with the parts of the experiment.
Question d. Experiment g. Communicate
Observation e. Data
Hypothesis f. Conclusion
5. Fred found that 57 students liked Skittles and 83 liked Starbursts

6. Fred told Ms. Brown about his results. 5. Fred wondered whether
KST students preferred Skittles or Starbursts.

7. Fred surveyed 140 students at KST. 6. Fred thought that more

students liked Skittles than Starbursts.

8. Fred decided that more students liked Starbursts than Skittles. 7. Fred noticed a lot of
Skittles wrappers in the garbage cans at KST.

Closure
Randomly ask couple of students to list the seven steps of the scientific method.
Homework in packet In the space below, create your own story that covers ALL 7 STEPS of the Scientific
Method. Make sure someone can read it and pick out all the steps.
 Worksheets

First and Last Name: ___________________ College: __________________

Physical Science Unit 1 Science as Inquiry Packet!

This packet contains the:
o Catalysts
o Guided notes
o Guided and Independent practice worksheets
o Homework assignments
o Lab Reports

for Unit 1. Treat it like you would a science textbook-make sure to bring it to class (in your
binder) everyday!
Introduction to the Scientific Method Date: ______________
Objective:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Catalyst:
1. What does it mean to you to think like a scientist?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. In your own words, what is the Scientific Method? Why do we use it?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________
3. What are two experiments you would like to conduct in your science lab later in the year?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________
*M&Ms Intro
What is the Scientific Method?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Steps of the Scientific Method:

1.______________________________________ 5. __________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________ 6. __________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________ 7. __________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________
How do we remember all 7 steps?
Q ________________________ Q _________________
R_________________________ O____________ R______________________ O__________________
H_________________________ H__________________
E_________________________ E___________________
D_________________________ D___________________
C_________________________ C___________________
C_________________________ C___________________

LEFT
RIGHT
 Parts of the Scientific Method- USE COMPLETE SENTENCES!!!
Now, can YOU name the steps?
Larry wonders whether a baseball or a tennis ball will bounce higher. He guesses that it will be the
tennis ball. Larry takes both balls outside, and holds them at the same height. He drops each one, and
measures the distance it bounces. The tennis ball bounces 10 inches, and the baseball bounces 4 inches. Larry
looks at these measurements, and decides that his hypothesis was correct the tennis ball bounces higher.
He runs inside to tell his mom what he found.
1. Q________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
2. R&O______________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________
3. H________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________
4. E_________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
5. D________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
6. C________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________
7. C________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________
Neil Patrick Harris observed that Harold and Kumar could eat a lot. He told Harold and Kumar to go to White Castle
and have a competition about who could eat more burgers. Neil Patrick Harris thought that Kumar could eat the most
burgers because he had not eaten for 24 hours. The two friends bought two Crave Cases (50 burgers each) and began
their competition. Harold ate 37.5 burgers, and Kumar ate 33.25 burgers. Neil Patrick Harris told the manager of White
Castle about their competition.
1. What was the question they tested?
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What observation did Neil Patrick Harris make?

________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________

3. What was Neil Patrick Harris hypothesis?

________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

4. How did they perform their experiment?

________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
5. What was the data gathered? ___________________________________________________________________
6. What was the conclusion to the experiment?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________
7. How did they communicate their results? _________________________________________________________
*Exit Slip!

Exit slip:
Match the parts of the Scientific Method with the parts of the experiment.
Question d. Experiment g. Communicate
Observation e. Data
Hypothesis f. Conclusion
9. Fred found that 57 students liked Skittles and 83 liked Starbursts

10. Fred told Ms. Brown about his results. 5. Fred wondered whether
KST students preferred Skittles or Starbursts.

11. Fred surveyed 140 students at KST. 6. Fred thought that more
students liked Skittles than Starbursts.

12. Fred decided that more students liked Starbursts than Skittles. 7. Fred noticed a lot of
Skittles wrappers in the garbage cans at KST.
Graded by: _______________________ Scientific Method Homework ( /10)
James and Robert wanted to see who could sell the most CDs in the month of August. In the month of July, Robert had
sold more, so he thought he would win again in August. At the end of the month, they found that James had sold 2000
CDs and Robert had sold 3500. Robert went on 94.1 and announced to his listeners that he was better than James.
1. What was the question Robert and James wanted to answer? ______________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________

2. What observation did Robert make?

___________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

3. What was Roberts hypothesis? _________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

4. How did they perform the experiment? ___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

5. What was the data? ___________________________________________________________________________

6. What conclusion can we draw? __________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

7. How did Robert communicate his results? _________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________________________________

BONUS! In the space below, create your own story that covers ALL 7 STEPS of the Scientific Method. ( /5)
Make sure someone can read it and pick out all the steps.