9/10 Tues: Science Discovery Stations

HW: Terms due Friday 9/13th 
astronomy                revolution                       rotation                    autumnal equinox              latitude
solstice                    axis                                  orbit

AGENDA:
1. Game learning everyone's name (5 minutes)
2. STATIONS:  Students sit at a station and complete the activity stated below on loose leaf (located in the bin-please PUT YOUR NAME ON IT).  Each station is 8 minutes.  The task should be completed upon the end of this time.  When the timer rings, switch to the next station in order (1 goes to 2, 2 goes to 3, and so on...)

STATION 1: Making a Model

Making models helps people understand things they cannot see or observe directly.  Scientists often use models to represent things that are either very large or very small, such as planets or the solar system, or parts of a cell.  Such models are physical models-drawings and three-dimensional structures that look like the real thing.  Other models are mental models-mathematical equations or words that describe how something works. 

TASK:
1.  Picture a student using a model to demonstrate what causes day and night on Earth.  What do you think the flashlight and the blue ball represent?
2. Identify which type of model each paper is in the bin (there are two papers).

STATION 2: COMMUNICATION

Communicating is the process of sharing ideas and information with other people.  Communicating effectively requires other skills such as writing, reading, speaking, listening, and making models.

TASK:  On a sheet of paper in your notebook, write out clear, detailed directions for making a design with the legos.  Another student will make the design following your directions, so you want them to be really simple, correct, and have the reader's perspective.  

STATION 3: CLASSIFYING OBJECTS

Grouping items together that are alike in many ways: by size, shape, by use, and by other important characteristics (ways you describe an object or being) is called classifying.  When things are sorted into groups, the relationships between them are easier to understand.

TASK: Classify the objects in your bin into 2 groups based on any characteristic you choose.  Identify the characteristic on your paper and list the objects included in that group.  Next, use a different characteristic to classify them into 3 groups.

STATION 4: MAKING OBSERVATIONS

When you use one or more of your 5 senses to gather information about the world, you are observing.  An observation must be an accurate report of what your senses detect.  It is important to keep careful records of your observations in class by writing or drawing in a notebook.  The information you collect is called evidence, or data.

TASK: Look at the photograph on page 17 in the Uncovering Earth's History book and make at least 3 observations.  Write them down on your paper.