📖

Testing Our Ideas

Scientific Thinking Skills

Day 144of 180
Week 29of 36
25Minutes
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🖨️ Download Worksheet (PDF)
🎯 What You'll Learn

Learning Objectives

1

Design a simple scientific test to explore a prediction

2

Collect and record observational data

3

Practice careful scientific investigation skills

📖 Scripture Connection

Proverbs 2:6

“For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.”

— Proverbs 2:6 (WEB)

God gives us curiosity and the ability to learn about His wonderful world through careful observation

📦 Materials Needed

  • Mystery boxes
  • Various small objects
  • Science journals
  • Pencils
  • Magnifying glasses
📚 Step-by-Step

Lesson Plan

1Opening (5 min)

Gather students in a circle and remind them about making good scientific predictions from yesterday's lesson. Explain that today we'll test those predictions carefully and see what we discover!

💭 Review Question: What does a good scientist do before testing an idea?
2Teaching (7 min)

Scientists are like detectives who ask questions and then carefully investigate to find answers. When we make a prediction, we need to design a fair test to see if our idea is correct.

📌 Key Talking Points:
  • A good test has only one thing changing at a time
  • We watch and record what happens carefully
  • It's okay if our first guess isn't right - that's how we learn!
💬 Discussion Questions:
  • What makes a test fair?
  • How can we record what we see?
3Activity: Mystery Box Investigation (10 min)
hands-on experiment

Students will test predictions about hidden objects using observation skills

📝 Instructions:
  1. Divide into pairs
  2. Each pair gets a mystery box with hidden objects
  3. Make a prediction about what might be inside
  4. Use magnifying glass to investigate
  5. Record observations in science journal
  6. Compare prediction with actual findings
🔄 Variations:

Simpler: Teacher guides group investigation

Challenge: Students design their own investigation questions

4Closing (3 min)

Share interesting discoveries and talk about what we learned

📝 Review Questions:
  • What surprised you about your investigation?
  • Was your first guess correct?
  • What did you learn?
🙏 Prayer:

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us curious minds to explore Your amazing world. Help us to learn and discover with joy!

Coming up: Tomorrow we'll talk about what our investigations taught us!

💎 Memory Verse

Colossians 3:23

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord, and not for men,”

— Colossians 3:23 (WEB)

🎯 Activity: Do a careful motion with each word to help remember

👨‍👩‍👧 For Parents

Teaching Notes

📚 Background:

First graders are learning basic scientific inquiry skills, focusing on observation and investigation

💡 Teaching Tips:
  • Encourage curiosity
  • Praise effort over perfect results
  • Help child record observations carefully
🤔 Common Struggles:

Children might get frustrated if initial predictions are incorrect

👀 Signs of Understanding:

Careful observation, willingness to record what they actually see

🚀 Want More?

Extension Activities

  • Create a family investigation night
  • Explore objects in nature using similar investigation techniques
  • Draw pictures of investigation discoveries

Ready for Tomorrow?

Great job completing today's lesson!

Continue to Day 145 →Back to Science