Bridge12

SC.3.3 2000 - The Physical SettingStudents observe changes of the Earth and sky. They continue to explore the concepts of energy and motion.SC.3.3.1 2000Observe and describe the apparent motion of the sun and moon over a time span of one day.

Sticky Note: I choose a kindergarten standard for this because it could be easily manipulated to fit this standard. They could be grouping these based on how high they bounce. It could also be used with higher grade levels with math and doing measuring, graphs and data (range, mean, median, mode, etc).

While this activity does not cover a specific standard it does meet the requirement of teaching the design process.  Make sure that students must design, test, and revise their design to make the activity authentic.  A race would be a great final activity.  Assessment could come from an oral presentation on what they did and why or a visual presentation, such as a poster.

SC.2.3.7 2000Investigate and observe that the way to change how something is moving is to give it a push or a pull.

SC.1.1.2 2000Investigate and make observations to seek answers to questions about the world, such as "In what ways do animals move?"

Sticky Note: This would be a great beginning activity to describe the 3 states of matter. Also could be manipulated to be turned into a math activity where students = different fraction lengths (12 kids =1 whole...what would 6 kids equal, etc.)

SC.1.1.1 2000Observe, describe, draw, and sort objects carefully to learn about them.

Students ask questions about a variety of living things and everyday events that can be answered through shared observations.SC.K.4.1 2000Give examples of plants and animals.SC.K.4.2 2000Observe plants and animals, describing how they are alike and how they are different in the way they look and in the things they do.

Sticky Note: This would also be a great activity to attach to fractions because you have to be able to understand fractions to put the ingredients in the correct places. It could also be used in younger grades where groups are making one together or the class creates one together and discusses our responsibilities to keep the earth clean.

5.4.1 "Investigate technologies that mimic human or animal musculoskeletal systems in order to meet a need." This activity can be adapted for ELL students by allowing those students to draw pictures of their design, rather than write a paragraph or make a chart. If the students are able, they can label the parts of their picture, using the English words they know. This activity can also be adjusted for younger grades by allowing them more than one science class time to work on the project. This may be an activity that can span a few days. The activity can then be broken down into sections. The students could use one class time to ask their questions within their group, and plan what they want their product to look like. The actual design and implementation of their product can be put into place on a separate class day.

Life Science K.3.1 "Observe and draw physical features of common plants and animals." This activity can be adjusted for gifted students by allowing them to label their picture with the appropriate words for a plant. Using words such as "roots" or "xylem" would be excellent! This activity can be used for older grades by having the students compare two different celery stalks - one with water, and one without water. The students can then make a table or chart to compare and contrast the two different celery stalks.

The Design Process: Identify a need or problem to be solved; brainstorm potential solutions; throughout the entire design process, document the design with drawings (including labels) in a portfolio or notebook so that the process can be replicated; select a solution to the need or problem; select the most appropriate materials to develop a solution that will meet the need; evaluate and test the design. This activity can be adapted for gifted students by allowing them to first draw a blueprint of their model. This will allow them to make predictions and hypothesis about their cube model and their tag board model. These students can then record their observations and their conclusions about their final product. This activity can also be adapted for younger grades by giving the students more materials to help them balance their models. Also, allowing the younger students to work in partners, rather than pairs, will allow them to more freely express their ideas. Working with a partner will give each student the opportunity to make sure their ideas are heard. For younger students, omitting the blueprint may also be helpful. Rather, having the students simply draw a picture of their model with labels may be more appropriate.

Extensions:  This activity connects Natural Science to Art. Adaptations:  Gifted students can name the different objects and describe their texture.  ESL and Special Ed students can pair-share to find the objects outdoors.

Be sure to separate kids based into mixed ability groups or pairs because their could be a lot of directions for low-ability students. Plus mixing them up by ability can really help students learn from one another. 

Can make low-ability students only separate a into two or three categories. While have high-ability students separate into more than 4 categories and possibly add names to leaves or categories. 

Extensions: Physical Science connects with Math (measurement). Extensions: ESL & Special Ed students can help in preparation process and can taste the fancy meringues. Gifted students can measure ingredients and predict outcome or explain why there is a change in the state of matter.

Extensions: This activity connects science with music (sound waves). Adaptations: Gifted students can adjust the musical notes that are created by adding more or less water to each glass or create a musical tune.  Have ESL and Special Ed students give a thumbs up or down if sound is higher or lower in pitch and show why.  Do this activity in small groups to help with learning. 

Extensions: Natural Science connects with History (Colonial Herbs) Adaptations: Gifted students can research herbs from the Colonial time period in history.  Students will then select an herb to grow from seed and document sunlight requirements and results.  ESL & Special Ed students can keep a journal of drawings that depict findings in experiment.

Extensions:  This activity connects Earth Science with Technology/Engineering. Adaptations: Gifted students can make their own unique weathervane and predict which direction the wind is blowing.  They could also create a weekly forecast report which includes wind direction.  ESL students and Special Ed students would work in small groups or teams and could draw diagrams to indicate wind direction.