Introductory Lessons for First Grade NGSS Curriculum Introductory Science Lessons

Lesson 1: Essential Question: What are scientists and what do they do? Have students turn and talk to discuss what they know about scientists and their jobs. Watch and discuss the video clip. View the next few slides about what scientist do and study. Have students complete the sentence starter “I am a scientist because I like…”. Read aloud What is a Scientist? By Barbara Lehn What is a Scientist?What is a Scientist? book Introductory Science Lessons Becoming Scientists

Are you a scientist? Introductory Science Lessons Watch this video to discover why people want to be scientists.video Turn and talk with your partner. What do scientists do?

What Do Scientists Do? They observe. They ask questions. They measure. They take notes. They investigate. They use what they know. Introductory Science Lessons

What Do Scientists Study? Rocks Volcanos Animals How Things Move Food Light Oceans Space Sound Weather Trees Health What kind of scientist are you? Introductory Science Lessons

Let’s Read About Scientists! What is a Scientist?What is a Scientist? book Introductory Science Lessons

Lesson 2: Essential Question: How can we make observations, record them, and use them to make predictions? Pass out a “Mystery Bag” (brown paper lunch bag with a random object inside) to each group of students. Students use their sense of touch to make observations about their objects and record their observations. Then they will use their observations to make a prediction about what their object is. Allow each group to share their observations and predictions with the class and then reveal their mystery item. Observing, Recording, and Predicting Introductory Science Lessons

Let’s Observe! Mystery Bags 1. Work together with your group and use your sense of touch to observe the mystery item in your bag. 2.Record your observations. 3. Make a prediction of what your item is based on your observations. 4. Share your observations and predictions with the class and then we’ll reveal your mystery object! Introductory Science Lessons

Lesson 3: Essential Question: What is a diagram and how is it different from a picture? Have students turn and talk to discuss the similarities and differences they notice between the picture and the diagram on the Recording Observations slide. Students will work with a partner to observe each other’s faces and draw diagrams showing what they observe. Drawing Diagrams Introductory Science Lessons

Recording Observations While scientists observe they write and draw about what they notice. Scientists draw diagrams. Picture Diagram Turn and Talk: How are the picture and the diagram the same? How are they different? Introductory Science Lessons

Where Do Scientists Record Their Observations? Scientists use a notebook to write all of their observations in one place. Then they can look back at all the information they have gathered to solve problems. What kinds of information do you think should be in a science notebook? Challenge: Look at the pictures and decide what should go in your science notebook. Introductory Science Lessons

Where Else Can Scientists Record Their Observations? Scientists can use a KLEWS chart to record their observations. It may look like this: Introductory Science Lessons

Observe a Friend 1. Carefully observe your partner’s face. 2. Draw a detailed diagram of your partner’s face. 3. Be sure to use labels! Eyes Ears Mouth Nose Introductory Science Lessons

Becoming Engineers Introductory Science Lessons Lesson 1: Essential Question: What are engineers and what do they do? Have students brainstorm what they think an engineer does. Discuss the importance of solving problems using each picture and have the students identify what each object is and how it has been improved with engineering.

Let’s Talk about what Engineers Do Engineers are problem solvers. They create solutions to things they wonder about. Why is this important? What do you think engineers do? washboard television telephone car Introductory Science Lessons

The Engineering Design Process How do they do it? Introductory Science Lessons

Let’s take a look at Sid the Science Kid when he is engineering.take a look at Go Engineers! Introductory Science Lessons

Becoming Engineers Introductory Science Lessons Lesson 2: Essential Question: How do Engineers Solve Problems? Review the steps of the Engineering Design Process and emphasize how the steps go back and forth. They do not go in one set order. Watch the Bunny Copter Video clip to explain how the students will do an engineering activity. Here is the link to the PBS Bunny Copter lesson and video.video Divide the kids into partners or small groups and give them several bunny copter strips. (see upcoming slide) They should then use the engineering process to design a copter that has the safest landing. Discuss which copter had the safest landing in your room and what the kids learned about engineering during this activity.

Are you ready to try being an engineer? Let’s watch this video to get started.video Introductory Science Lessons

Optional Read-Alouds: The Three Little Pigs by Paul Galdone (any version could work) Pop! A Book About Bubbles by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley Extension Activities: Primary Talent Development (PTD) Lessons (Notebook and CD) Design Dilema Design a house for the fourth little pig. Bubbleolgy Design a new wand for bubbles to try to make a different shaped bubble Optional Read-Alouds and Extension Activities Introductory Science Lessons

Vocabulary for Introductory Science Lessons Introductory Science Lessons engineer scientist observe diagram

engineer a person who solves problems; designs and builds something to help their community Introductory Science Lessons

scientist a person who wonders about the world around them Introductory Science Lessons

observe to look or listen to something carefully Introductory Science Lessons

diagram a picture that shows and tells about parts of something Introductory Science Lessons