Bell RingerMIKI IS IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING A STEW FOR DINNER AT HER CAMPSITE. AFTER IT IS COOKED, SHE SETS THE POT ASIDE TO COOL. WHEN SHE RETURNS, THE POT IS EMPTY. IMMEDIATELY, SHE POSES QUESTIONS: WHO ATE THE STEW? WHAT ANIMALS ARE ACTIVE IN THE EVENING? SHE SOON FINDS EVIDENCE: THE POT COVER, GREASY SPILLS, AND A STINKY SMELL. THE THIEF IS A SKUNK.

HOW DOES THE PROCESS OF POSING QUESTIONS AND LOOKING FOR EVIDENCE HELP MIKI SOLVE THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING STEW?

PLEASE ANSWER QUESTION INDEPENDENTLY AND QUIETLY. USE FULL SENTENCES.

Process: A series of actions or events

Pose: To put forward a question or a problem

Evidence: Facts, figures, or signs that help prove a statement.

CHAPTER 1LESSON 1SCIENCE AND THE NATURAL WORLD

MAIN IDEA: WHAT SKILLS DO SCIENTISTS USE?

Key Vocabulary Science: A way of learning about the natural world

Observing: Using one or more of your senses to gather information, also using tools (such as a microscope) to help your senses.

Inferring: When you explain or interpret the things you observe.

Predicting: Making a statement or a claim about what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.

Classifying: The grouping together of items that are alike in some way.

Evaluating: Involves comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them.

Making Models: Creating representations of complex objects or processes.

Variable: Factors that can change in an experiment.

Independent Variable: A factor that is changed to test a hypothesis

Dependent variable: Changes in response to the independent variable.

What skills do Scientists use?

Science is a way of learning about the natural world. Science also includes all the knowledge gained by exploring the natural world.

The Skills scientists use are:

1. Observing

2. Inferring

3. Predicting

4. Classifying

5. Evaluating

6. Making models

1. Observing

Observing means using one or more of your senses to gather information, or using some sort of tool to help your senses.

Example: By observing chimpanzees, you can learn things such as: what they eat, what sounds they make, and what games they like to play.

Observations can either be quantitative or qualitative

Quantitative: deals with numbers (ex: seeing you have 11 new emails)

Qualitative: deals with descriptions that can not be expressed in numbers (ex: noticing a bike is blue)

LETS PRACTICE OBSERVING

Write one quantitative observation and one qualitative observation about this chimp.

Inferring

When you explain or interpret the things you observe, you are inferring.

Inferring is not guessing.

Inferences are based on reasoning from what you already know.

Inferences could also be based on assumptions you make about your observations.

Predicting

Predicting means making a statement or a claim about what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence.

Example: By observing a chimp, you can learn when it is frightened or angry because its hair would stand up on its head. Therefore you can make a prediction that when you see the chimps hair standing up, that there is danger near.

Predictions and inferences are closely related

Inferences are attempts to explain what is happening or has happened

Predictions are statements or claims about what will happen.

LETS MAKE A PREDICTION:

Lets discuss what this angry chimp might do next. Brainstorm with your neighbor!

Classifying

Classifying is the grouping together of items that are alike in some way. You could group together information like a chimps feeding habits or his resting behavior.

What are some other things we can classify? Write down your ideas to share with the class.

Evaluating

BEFORE you can reach a conclusion, you need to evaluate your observations.

Evaluating involves comparing observations and data to reach a conclusion about them.

Example: you would have to compare all of the chimps behaviors with those of other chimps to reach a conclusion.

Making Models

Making Models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes.

Some models can be touched, such as a map.

Others are in the form of mathematical equations or computer programs.

Models help people study things that can’t be observed directly.

By using models you can share information that would otherwise be difficult to explain.

Plan and carry out an investigation

There are many different types of investigations.

Some involve observing, while others use experiments to find out more about the natural world.

Example:

Imagine you want to know if the number of fish in your classroom aquarium affects the health of the fish. You will need to make an observation and collect data on the health of the fish. You may also look for other factors that are affecting the health of the fish, such as the quality of water. Once you collect your data, you will need to organize it. Finally, form a conclusion about your data and defend it to your classmates.

Lesson 1 Checkpoint

Answer the following questions independently and quietly.

1. You are studying how the amount of sunlight a plant gets affects its height. What are the independent and dependent variables?

2. How do observations differ from inferences?

3. What are the skills that scientists use?