Group items tagged

Nature of Science Standards: Plan and carry out investigations-often over a period of several lessons-as a class, in small groups or independently; use measurement skills and apply appropriate units when collecting data; keep accurate records in a notebook during investigations and communicate findings to others using graphs, charts, maps and models through oral and written reports. This activity can be adjusted for ELL students by giving them a picture chart on which to record their data. Rather than using all words on the chart, pictures of a cup, plate, cake pan, etc. can be place on the chart, and the students can fill in the results of the distance for each picture. This activity can also be used with younger age groups by having them use other objects, such as a small ping pong ball, to throw. A bigger object may be easier for younger children to throw.

Nature of Science Standard: Make predictions and formulate testable questions; plan and carry out investigations-often over a period of several lessons-as a class, in small groups or independently; perform investigations using appropriate tools and technologies that will extend the senses; use measurement skills and apply appropriate units when collecting data; test predictions with multiple trials; keep accurate records in a notebook during investigations and communicate findings to others using graphs, charts, maps and models through oral and written reports; compare the results of an investigation with the prediction. This activity can be modified for ELL students by allowing those students to be the recorder for the group. This will allow those students to participate, without having the pressure of attempting to measure and use words they may not be comfortable with yet. Allowing these students to be the recorder keeps them involved with the group, while also allowing them to practice the English words for the numbers being recorded. This activity can also be used for younger ages by shortening the activity to throwing the ball five times, rather than ten. The act of throwing the ball make take longer for these students, as well as measuring an angle.

4.4.3 "Investigate how changes in speed or direction are caused by forces: the greater the force exerted on an object, the greater the change."

This would be a great inclusion activity for special needs students. Students could work in groups to calculate the work. Even though this is listed as a middle school activity, with thorough explanation, 4th grade students would be able to complete this activity to meet standard 4.4.3.

Sticky Note: This would be great to use with younger kids by making the distance shorter that the balloon had to travel and making the material list shorter. It would be a great way of graphing as well: graph the length of of each trial for each team.

The Challenger Center also offers Special Needs missions. Lessons are differentiated as students will be assigned to different roles.  This is a very "challenging" endeavor, and requires completion of lessons prior to the visit.

Extension: This game could include letters (A,B,C) to represent the sides of the polygon, so that the student could put the measurements into an equation. Adaptations: Gifted students could help peers who struggle with finding perimeter or measuring.  ELL students would benefit from the drawing in this activity and use of deck of cards which provide pictures. 

Extension: This game could include letters (A,B,C) to represent the sides of the polygon, so that the student could put the measurements into an equation.  Adaptations: Gifted students could help peers who struggle with finding perimeter or measuring.  ELL students would benefit from the drawing in this activity and use of deck of cards which provide pictures. 

You could tag this activity for "measurement" since it involves perimeter and measuring with centimeter rulers.

Extenstion: A connection between math and science are in this activity. Adaptations: This can be a small group activity or team approach for help with ELL and Special Ed students.  Physical objects can be seen and touched.

Sticky Note: This activity could be differentiated so that each group was working with a different planet in the solar system so that when the exhibits were displayed the class would see the whole solar system.