Bridge13

Standard: 2.1.1, 2.NS.2

Expansion: Have student record their observations of the changes of state in a notebook. 

ESL: Use of a notebook for recording, and peer work within a classroom will help ESL students reinforce vocabulary and language through communication. 

Standard: K.2.1

Expansion: have student record observations in a notebook.  For Kindergarten, students could do so via observational drawings. 

ESL: Done in pairs, this could be a cooperative learning process that will familiarize ESL students with observational techniques and discussion.  

Standard: 4.2.2

Expansion: have students make predictions about what will happen to the solution and then record changes in crystal formations as they grow.  Have student check their prediction to see whether it was accurate. 

ESL: practice writing observational notes will reinforce vocabulary and writing skills.  

4.NS.3 Plan and carry out investigations-often over a period of several lessons-as a class, in small groups or independently. 4.NS.4 Perform investigations using appropriate tools and technologies that will extend the senses. Of course, you should know your students and whether or not they are capable of using knives.  Consider using plastic knives instead of real knives or cutting the apples for them, doing a demonstration. Students who need adaptations due to special needs could work in small groups or could just observe the teacher doing the demonstration, and other students could cut the apples themselves.

6.3.5 Describe how all animals, including humans, meet their energy needs by consuming other organisms, breaking down their structures, and using the materials to grow and function. 5.3.1 Observe and classify common Indiana organisms as producers, consumers, decomposers, predator and prey based on their relationships and interactions with other organisms in their ecosystem. This activity works really well for all types of learners because it is interactive and involves group knowledge.  For English Language learners, it would be a good idea to not only write the names of the species on the card, but to place pictures of the species on these cards as well.  This will help your ELLs, but it will also add another layer of knowledge for all students because they will start to notice that how the animal looks reflects its place on the food chain.  Animals that are fast and have sharp teeth and claws are probably at the top of the food chain, and plants are near the bottom.

This activity looks like a lot of fun for young learners.  The activity itself should be good for all learners, but the paper at the end that students fill out to show what they have learned might give some students trouble.  I would emphasize using best guess spelling for this paper, and I would spell common words that students will use on the board.  If a student is really having trouble making letters or forming words, you could talk to that student individually and find out what they want to write for each blank, then copy it down for them with a highlighter or other light marker, and have the students trace what you have written with their pencils. K.NS.2 Conduct investigations that may happen over time as a class, in small groups, or independently. K.NS.6 Make and use simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. 1.3.5 Observe and describe ways in which animals and plants depend on one another for survival.

Standards: 6.1.1, 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 6.NS.1, 6.NS.2, 6.NS.4, 6.NS.10

Expansion: Have students predict what will happen to the paperclips when soap is added before they do it, then compare their predictions to their results.  Have them record and discuss their findings.  

ESL: Group cooperation will help students retain science vocabulary and understand more.  

4.DS.4 - Design a moving system and measure its motion. 4.DS.4.1- Investigate transportation systems and devices that operate on or in land, water, air and space and recognize the forces (lift, drag, friction, thrust and gravity) that affect their motion.

Adaptation - Lesson could be shortened by discussing the principles of flight, reviewing possible designs, then have students design 1 paper airplane based on what they think will work best.

Extension: Students could be given a second chance to construct a paper airplane, providing a written explanation and model drawing for what they did differently.

Standard - 4.NS.2 - Observe, investigate and give examples of ways that the shape of land changes over time.(4.2.1, 4.2.2, 4.2.3)

Extension: Students could experiement with different laying techniques of the soil, rock, clay, etc. to see if erosion occurs differently based on the order of earth's layers. This experiment could be completed in small groups, all studying different arrangements of the earthen materials. Students could present their findings to the class or in the form of a report.

4.NS.3 - Observe, describe and ask questions about structures of organisms and how they affect their growth and survival

Adaptations - If large number of students will not be able to reach extended family to complete the chart, class could conduct a study to see how many share traits with immediate family.

Extensions - Students with access to relatives information could try going back as far as they could, creating a "family tree of genes".

For advanced students, Punnit Squares could be introduced and students could find out which traits or dominant and which traits are recessive based on their position in the Punnit Square.

Standard: 5.NS.3 - Observe and classify common Indiana organisms as producers, consumers, decomposers, predator and prey based on their relationships and interactions with other organisms in their ecosystem.

Extension: After playing game, students could break up into small groups and create their own food webs and food chains with animals and other living organisms of their choice.

Adaptation: Activity could be modified for ELL students by placing short definitions on the backs of their cards for "Consumer" and "Producer" so they can observe the relationship even if they don't know the words.

Pictures could be added to index cards for ELL students who struggle with the variety of animal names that they might not be exposed to yet.

Standard: 1.NS.3 - Observe, describe and ask questions about living things and their relationships to their environments.

Extension: Students could maintain terrariums for various lengths of time, depending on the goals behind building the terrariums. Students could make representations of what they have observed over time in the terrariums.

Adaptation: ELL students could work with English Speaking students to bridge the language gap needed when following instructions for making terrariums. ELL students could also get support from English Speaking students when writing down what they observe, because it may be unfamiliar language. Graphs and charts could be made as a class, to keep track of height of plants and number of insects.

Standards: 2.DP.2 - Day to day and over the seasons, observe, measure, record and recognize patterns and ask questions about features of weather. (2.2.1, 2.2.2, 2.2.3, 2.2.4, 2.2.5, 2.2.6) Investigate how the position of the sun and moon and the shape of the moon change in observable patterns. (2.2.7, 2.2.8, 2.2.9)

Extension: Students could use this activity as a stepping stone to study the phases of the moon in greater depth. The next step could be to model the changes of the moon as it rotates the earth by using a flashlight as the sun.

Adaptation: This is a great physical representation to descripe words that may have no meaning to ELL students. Students are more likely to remember the phases because there is food involved and it was studied in a casual setting.

Standard: 3.NS.2 Identify fossils and describe how they provide evidence about the plants and animals that lived long ago and the nature of their environment at that time.

Extension: Students could create an fossil then research that prehistoric animal. Students could find out when they lived, how common the fossils are, and how they became extinct.

Adaptation: Students could work together in groups to make fossils if resources were limited. Students might make their own fossils, but then work in groups for the research component. This way the ELL and lower English speaking students could handle the research part of the activity.