Helping Your Students Become Great Scientists
By Kayla • April 3, 2018
Jennifer Sinsel, elementary science teacher and Lesson Planet guide, maintains that students become good scientists when they master the following science process skills:
- Observe
- Infer
- Measure
- Predict
- Classify
- Communicate
Science Journal Writing Prompt: Observations vs. Inferences
Place the picture of an object up on the front screen and invite your students to make a list of things about the photo. For example, showing the picture of an adult black labrador retriever, your students might list:
- It is an animal.
- The dog is black.
- The dog is susceptible to fleas and ticks.
- He/she probably likes water.
- The dog has brown eyes.
- The dog is wearing a blue collar.
- He/she is not a puppy.
After they have finished, invite your students to share their findings with the students sitting around them, instructing them to highlight any of the listed items that can be determined directly through the use of one or more of the five senses. Explain to them that these are known as 'observations' (e.g. we can see that the dog is black and that it is wearing a blue collar) whereas the rest are most likely 'inferences', or reasonable explanations for what we have observed (e.g. we observe that the dog is an animal and therefore is most likely susceptible to fleas, etc.).
Science Journal Writing Prompt: Observing & Measuring
Provide each of your students with a sample, it could be a leaf, an insect, a shell, etc., and ask them to write down their observations. Set out several basic rulers, magnifying glasses, a balance scale, and other devices for observing and measuring.
For more lesson ideas on predicting, classifying, and communicating, check out the rest of Sinsel's post!
About the Author
Kayla Johnson
Disclaimer: The content on this page is for informational purposes only and reflects the author's personal experiences and/or opinions. The author is not a financial advisor, medical professional, or licensed expert in any regulated field. Nothing on this page should be interpreted as financial, medical, or professional advice. This content is not a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always consult a qualified professional before making decisions related to your finances, health, or other personal matters. The information provided here is shared in good faith, but individual circumstances vary, and what works for some people may not work for you. Results are not typical, implied, or guaranteed. While we strive for accuracy, information may become outdated or change over time. Statements made by guest authors reflect their own opinions and should not be interpreted as endorsements by SupplyMe.
Some of the links on this page may be affiliate or referral links, which means we may earn a commission or bonus if you use them. There’s no extra cost to you — and it’s a great way to support the site if you find the content helpful.