|
Activity
|
Methodology
|
Resources
|
|
1. Introduction to course
|
|
a. Diagnostic pre-test
|
Introduce course, expectations, marking scheme, unit outlines, etc.
Complete a How Much Do I Know About Science? pre-test, and discuss the answers
|
course title page
How Much Do I Know About Science? pre-test
|
|
b. Areas of science
|
Using a Scientific Disciplines worksheet take a short
note on the major disciplines of science (biology, chemistry, physics),
and then have students brainstorm any sub-disciplines they know and
classify them according to these major disciplines. Explain that
classifying in this way is science! Motivate this exercise by
demonstrating the various living organisms, and asking questions about
non-living objects gathered in the classroom.
|
Scientific Disciplines worksheet
|
|
2. Science skills review
|
|
a. Microscope drawing
|
Discuss microscope drawing technique using Guidelines for Microscope Drawings description sheet. Demonstrate a drawing on the overhead using a blank Microscope Drawing sheet (with provided circles) and then evaluate using attached checklist
Demonstrate
the correct use of the light microscope. Using prepared slides which
include samples of organisms, and non-biotic materials, examine several
under the light microscope, and carefully draw two. Drawings must be
titled. If there is time remaining students may make their own slides
(e.g. of newsprint, hair, etc.)
|
Guidelines for Microscope Drawings description sheet; Microscope Drawing worksheet
Lab List 1-1; Microscope Drawing worksheet
|
|
b. Measurement
|
Complete a worksheet package on measurement (metric, mass, length, area, volume, temperature, qualitative/quantitative)
|
worksheet package (source unknown)
|
|
c. Lab reports
|
Take a short note on the structure of a lab report, then demonstrate a completed lab report
|
example of a completed lab report
|
|
d. Safety
|
Discuss safety issues in the science classroom (biological
hazards, chemical, heat, etc.). Review WHMIS Symbols, and identify
household products with hazards using a worksheet WHMIS Symbols and Hazardous Household Product Symbols
|
Sciencepower 9 BLM G-9
|
|
3. The scientific method
|
|
a. What is it?
|
Take a note on the scientific method.
|
|
|
b. Applying the scientific method
|
Using a Scientific Method Planner worksheet laid out as
a flow chart, write a question that they would like to know the answer,
come up with two possible answers to the question, and then explain
what they would have to do to prove whether one of the answers was
right or not. Model this process first using a teacher generated
question.
Using the Two Water Samples assignment sheet, examine
two samples of water (one from the sewage lagoon, and a second from the
lake). First make a hypothesis, then a prediction about which is
"dirtier" (has more particles) and why. Under a microscope sample a
portion of the slide and count the number of particles. The class
averages their results, and completes a fill in the blank lab report.
|
Scientific Method Planner & Problems worksheets
Lab List 1-2; Comparing Water Samples assignment sheet
|
|
4. Classifying organisms
|
|
a. The five kingdoms of life
|
Using a description sheet summarizing the main characteristics of the
five kingdoms of life. Given a teacher led slide show of organisms from
all five kingdoms, students must say what kingdom each image is and
give one reason on a Five Kingdoms of Life worksheet
|
Lab List 1-3; Five Kingdoms of Life worksheet and description sheet
|
|
b. Classifying Kingdom Animalia
|
Using alcohol preserved samples of a variety of different
animals labeled cryptically, working in groups arrange any way they
choose, and give a reason for each grouping. Groups switch samples and
repeat. Groupings are recorded on a Classifying Kingdom Animalia worksheet.
|
Lab List 1-4; Classifying Kingdom Animalia worksheet
|
|
5. Insect collection and classification
|
|
|
One period is spent outside searching for insects. Following the Insect Collection
assignment sheet, students must find and mount ten different insects,
and identify the order that they belong to using a simple key. For any
orders with two or more insects, write several sentences describing how
they are alike.
|
Lab List 1-5; Insect Collection assignment sheet
|
|
6. Unit Review & Test
|
|
Unit review package with appropriate summarizing and thinking questions.
|
Unit 1 Review worksheet package
|
|
|
Unit test emphasizing knowledge/understanding, and inquiry.
|
Unit 1 test
|
