6th
Grade
ADVANCED
PREPARATION
Thinking Like a 21st Century Scientist / Engineer:
Introduction to Science and Engineering
Make copies of the student handouts to accompany the reading.
Preview the reading before teaching.
Have craft materials set up for students to make model of scientific
method. (paper, scissors, markers, glue, etc.)
Computer access (Optional: printed readings for students to write
paragraph about the importance of the scientific method if computer
access is not available.)
Objective: The objectives of the following activities are to give students the
opportunity to review the scientific method and become acquainted
with their grade level textbook. Students will make their own model first
to remember the scientific method then complete research to
understand the importance of the scientific method. This is also a great
opportunity to set expectations for use of technology at the beginning
of the year.
What is the teacher doing?
What is the teacher doing?
Scientific Method Reading
Scientific Method Reading
(Day 1)
Introducing textbook to
students.
Read directions aloud to
students.
Answer questions as students
read text and facilitate
discussion.
Making Scientific Method Model
(Day 2)
ACTIVITIES
(3 days)
Gather raft supplies for
students to make scientific
method graphic organizers.
Set expectations for how you
want students to complete
scientific method model.
Observe students making
models, looking for
misconceptions or errors in
order of the method’s steps.
Ask probing questions and/or
ask students to go back and
check in textbook if you see
errors.
Paragraph about Scientific Method
(Day 3)
Set expectations for
student’s written work.
Require students to write in
full-sentences with detail.
Columbus City Schools
Curriculum Leadership and Development
Science Department June 2013
(Day 1)
1. Complete reading, answering
questions on the handout as
they go.
Making Scientific Method Model
(Day 2)
1. Students utilize the information
from their textbook reading to
make a model of the scientific
method steps.
Paragraph about Scientific Method
(Day 3)
1. Finishing models
2. Using Internet and/or articles to
write a paragraph about the
scientific method, completing
the outline of the paragraph first.
1
Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______ Period: ________
The Scientific Method
Read the first two paragraphs on page 6, Prentice Hall Earth Science Textbook.
What is the main idea of the first paragraph? __________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Identify two important details from the paragraph.
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
What is the main idea of the second paragraph?______________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What is one important detail from the second paragraph?
1. __________________________________________________________________
What is the author’s purpose for writing the first two paragraphs?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Read “Thinking like a Scientist” pages 6 and 7.
What is the author’s purpose for writing this?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Columbus City Schools
Curriculum Leadership and Development
Science Department June 2013
2
Write the definition of the words below.
Science –
Observing –
Inferring –
Predicting –
Scientific Attitude –
What skills does a scientist use?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
In what ways do you use the skills of a scientist? Give an example of when you
used them. __________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Read pages 8-11, “Scientific Inquiry”
What is the main idea of the first paragraph?__________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What is the main idea of “Posing Questions”? _________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What is the main idea of “Develop a Hypothesis”? _____________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Columbus City Schools
Curriculum Leadership and Development
Science Department June 2013
3
What is the main idea of “Designing an Experiment”?__________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What is the difference between a manipulated(independent) variable and a
responding(dependent) variable?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What is the main idea of “Collecting and Interpreting Data?”
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Identify three different ways of displaying data and the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
1. __________________________________________________________________
2. __________________________________________________________________
3. __________________________________________________________________
Together the six steps you have read about are known as the scientific method.
Make a model that represents the steps of the scientific method.
Explain each step in detail.
Many people say that the scientific method has been one of the greatest
inventions for understanding the world around us.
Pursue research and write a paragraph that explains why the scientific method
is such a useful tool. Complete the outline below before writing your final
paragraph.
Introduction Sentence (Restate the question): _________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Three supporting details (Why is the scientific method so important? Give three
reasons.)
1. _______________________________________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________________________________
Concluding Sentence (Summarize your points, restate the main idea.)__________
______________________________________________________________________________
Write your final copy of the paragraph using this outline.
Columbus City Schools
Curriculum Leadership and Development
Science Department June 2013
4
Prentice Hall Earth Science Textbook (1-3 Days)
ANSWER KEY The Scientific Method
Read the first two paragraphs on page 6 in the Prentice Hall Earth Science
Textbook.
What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
Margaret Mangan is a scientist who studies volcanoes
Identify two important details from the paragraph.
1) Volcanoes sound like a roaring of many jet engines
2) There is a smell of sulfur
3) The wind can blow particles of particles from the lava fountain over you
What is the main idea of the second paragraph?
Mangan has observed many volcanic eruptions of Mount Kilauea in
Hawaii
What is one important detail?
1) She studies the characteristics of red-hot lava
What is the author’s purpose for writing the first two paragraphs?
The author is introducing the topic “science” by telling about a scientist
and what she does.
Read “Thinking like a Scientist” pages 6 and 7.
What is the author’s purpose for writing this?
The author is explaining the vocabulary words
Write the definition of the words below.
Science – a way of learning about the natural world
Observing – using one or more of your senses to gather information
Inferring – when you explain or interpret the things you observe
Predicting – making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on
past experience or evidence
Scientific Attitude – curiosity honesty, open mindedness, skepticism, and
creativity
Columbus City Schools
Curriculum Leadership and Development
Science Department June 2013
5
What skills does a scientist use?
A scientist observes things to make observations and infer conclusions.
Then they predict how, why, or when future events will occur based on
what they learned.
In what ways do you use the skills of a scientist? Give an example of when you
used them.
Personal responses will vary based on personal experience but should
illustrated the skills of a scientist
Read pages 8-11, “Scientific Inquiry”
What is the main idea of the first paragraph?
Thinking and asking questions about what you observe is the start of the
scientific inquiry method
What is the main idea of “Posing Questions”
Scientific inquiry often begins with a problem or question about an
observation
What is the main idea of “Develop a Hypothesis?”
A hypothesis is a possible explanation for a set of observations or answer
to a scientific question
What is the main idea of “Designing an Experiment?”
A controlled experiment is a test of a hypothesis under conditions
established by a scientist that contains a manipulated variable and a
responding variable
What is the difference between a manipulated variable and a responding
variable?
A manipulated variable is the variable that a scientist changes and a
responding variable is the thing that changes because of the manipulated
variable
What is the main idea of “Collecting and Interpreting Data?”
Data are the facts, figures, and other evidence gathered through
observations that can be organized into tables
Identify three different ways of displaying data and the advantages and
disadvantages of each.
Answers will vary but should contain graphs like bar graphs, line graphs,
circle graphs, etc. and the merits of each
Columbus City Schools
Curriculum Leadership and Development
Science Department June 2013
6