Week 1 Overview
This exciting first week introduces students to the world of scientific thinking. Children will learn that scientists are people who ask questions about the world and find answers by looking carefully, making predictions, and testing their ideas. Through hands-on activities, students will begin to see themselves as young scientists capable of discovering how the world works.
Learning Objectives
- Use all five senses to observe objects and phenomena
- Ask scientific questions about things they observe
- Make predictions about what might happen and why
- Record observations through drawing and simple words
- Understand that scientists learn by investigating the natural world
- Practice scientific vocabulary (observe, predict, investigate, discover)
Materials Needed This Week
- Hand lenses (magnifying glasses)
- Science journals or observation sheets
- Collection of interesting objects (shells, rocks, leaves, feathers)
- Mystery boxes with hidden objects
- Balance scale or simple scale
- Measuring tools (rulers, measuring cups)
- Chart paper for class observations
- Crayons and pencils
- Clipboard for outdoor observations
Daily Lesson Plans
Monday: Using Our Senses to Observe
Opening Circle (5 minutes)
Question of the Day: "What do scientists do?"
- Listen to children's ideas about scientists
- Introduce: "Scientists look very carefully at things"
Five Senses Exploration (12 minutes)
Learning About Our Science Tools:
- Eyes: Look at colorful objects, describe what we see
- Ears: Listen to different sounds around us
- Touch: Feel objects with different textures (smooth, rough, bumpy)
- Investigation: Each child gets a seashell or rock to observe with hand lenses
Closing (3 minutes)
Share one new thing discovered about their object
Tuesday: Asking Scientific Questions
Opening Circle (5 minutes)
Question of the Day: "What questions do you have about this leaf?"
- Show a large, interesting leaf
- Model questioning: "I wonder why it's green?"
Question Practice and Nature Walk (12 minutes)
Learning Question Words: What, Why, How, Where, When
Practice Activity: Show objects (feather, rock, flower), children ask questions
Quick Nature Walk: Look around school yard, ask questions about trees, insects, clouds
Closing (3 minutes)
Share the most interesting question from our walk
Wednesday: Making Predictions
Opening Circle (5 minutes)
Question of the Day: "What do you think will happen if we drop this ball?"
- Hold up a ball above the ground
- Ask children to predict, then test it!
Prediction Activities (12 minutes)
Sink or Float: Children predict if objects will sink or float, then test in water
Which is Heavier: Compare large foam block vs small rock using balance scale
Key Learning: Predictions are guesses based on what we know
Closing (3 minutes)
Reflection: "What surprised you today? What matched your prediction?"
Thursday: Recording Our Discoveries
Opening Circle (5 minutes)
Question of the Day: "How can we remember what we learned?"
- Discuss why scientists keep records
- Introduce science journals
Scientific Drawing and Weather Recording (12 minutes)
Drawing Practice: Each child draws a leaf exactly as it looks using hand lenses
Add Labels: "green," "veins," "smooth"
Weather Journal: Look outside, record weather (sunny, cloudy), draw symbols
Closing (3 minutes)
Share one detail from scientific drawings
Friday: Celebrating Young Scientists
Opening Circle (5 minutes)
Question of the Day: "What makes you a scientist?"
- Review the week: observing, questioning, predicting, recording
- Celebrate: "You are all scientists!"
Science Skills Assessment (12 minutes)
Young Scientist Challenge:
- Observation: Use hand lens to describe a mystery object
- Questioning: Ask questions about the object
- Prediction: Predict if object will sink or float
- Recording: Draw and write about the investigation
Closing (3 minutes)
Preview: "Next week we'll learn about different animals and how they live!"
Assessment Notes: Observe each child's science skills and comfort with scientific processes
Science Museum (12 minutes)
Sharing Our Work:
- Display all scientific drawings from the week
- Share favorite questions asked
- Show prediction charts and results
- Give out "Young Scientist" certificates
- Set up science corner for ongoing investigations
Closing (5 minutes)
Preview next week: "Next week we'll learn about special tools that help scientists see even better!"
Assessment and Evaluation
What to Look For
- Observation Skills: Does the child use multiple senses to gather information?
- Questioning: Can the child ask simple questions about objects and phenomena?
- Predicting: Does the child make logical guesses based on prior knowledge?
- Recording: Can the child draw and describe what they observe?
- Scientific Vocabulary: Does the child use words like observe, predict, discover?
- Curiosity: Does the child show interest in exploring and investigating?
Success Indicators
Meets Expectations:
- Uses senses to describe objects with some detail
- Asks simple questions about things they observe
- Makes basic predictions about familiar situations
- Records observations through simple drawings
- Shows curiosity about the natural world
Exceeds Expectations:
- Uses detailed descriptive language in observations
- Asks thoughtful, specific questions
- Makes predictions with simple explanations
- Records detailed observations with labels
- Connects new observations to prior knowledge
Extension Activities for Home
Family Science Exploration
- Nature Collection: Collect interesting objects outdoors and observe them together
- Kitchen Science: Observe cooking processes - what happens when water boils?
- Question Journal: Keep a family list of science questions to investigate
- Weather Watching: Continue daily weather observations at home
- Sense Games: Play games using different senses (mystery sounds, texture bags)
- Backyard Scientists: Look for insects, plants, and rocks to observe
Connecting to Objectivist Principles
Using Your Mind (Reason)
Children learn that their minds are capable of understanding the natural world. They discover that careful observation and logical thinking lead to real knowledge about how things work. Each prediction and observation builds confidence in their reasoning abilities.
Learning Real Things (Reality)
All science investigations use real objects and real phenomena. Children touch actual leaves, observe real weather, and test real materials. They learn that the natural world follows discoverable laws that exist independent of our wishes or opinions.
Learning Helps Me (Self-Interest)
Children see immediately how scientific thinking helps them understand their world better. They can predict which toys will float in the bathtub, ask better questions about animals they see, and feel confident exploring nature because they know how to observe safely.
I Am Important (Individual Worth)
Each child's observations and questions are valued and recorded. There are no "wrong" observations, only opportunities to look more carefully. Every child's natural curiosity is celebrated as the foundation for scientific thinking and discovery.