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Learning to Look
Background
Information
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Summary: Learning to Look is actually five activities in one inquiry. In Looking Closer at a Flower, students are introduced to sensory investigation of a flower plant and the plant cycle. In Looking Closer at Grass, students are introduced to sensory investigation and description of grass. In Looking Closer at Trees , students extend observational skills when looking at a tree by observing, questioning and sharing ideas. In Looking Closer--Dead and Alive, students observe a living and nonliving flower and compare and contrast how they are alike and different.In Looking Closer at Seed Growth, students predict and observe what happens when a sunflower seed is planted. The Family Page extends this learning to the community by inviting parents and students to develop observation skills at home.
Related
Topics: observation skills, needs of living things, living vs. nonliving
Ohio Academic Standards Alignment: Ohio Academic Standards
Alignment
Background
Information:
Kindergarten students will learn how to participate in outdoor scientific inquiry, discover the joy and wonder of nature, learn the steps of the scientific method, learn to value and respect nature, and discover the interconnectedness of living things. All of the content and process skills are introductory and require modeling and practice.
- Students will
- practice safety rules when conducting science experiments
- learn how scientists observe nature
- record their observations (as scientists)
- use their senses to make observations of objects in nature
- look with your eyes
- listen with your ears
- smell with your nose
- carefully touch
- compare plants in their surroundings
- explore differences between living and nonliving things
- explore plant parts and their uses
- discover plant life cycles
- explore the basic needs of living things
- follow procedures for outdoor discovery investigations
- Scientists travel quietly in the halls.
- Scientists follow the teacher's directions at all times.
- Scientists respect nature by using quiet voices.
- Scientists know science discovery is different than recess.
- Scientists use their eyes to observe.
- Scientists use their ears to listen.
- Scientists use their noses to smell.
- Scientists touch gently and only with permission.
- Scientists think, "Safety First."
- Teachers will
- modify activities for exceptional students by enlisting the help of a parent or older study buddy. Students with physical or emotional needs often enjoy nature discovery and can be successful in the inquiry process.
- model science process skills
- present content to reach all learning styles.
- role play
- puppetry
- music
- graphic organizers
- children's literature
- pictures
- video
- adapt as needed to meet the needs of primary students.
- review and practice process skills and content.
Note: Teaching science to young children requires preparation and planning for both content and process skills. Primary students need to practice outdoor discovery in a small group setting. Teachers should enlist help from parents or older children as study buddies.