Module 1: Using Scientific Methods - Course Guide

Module Overview:

In this module you will learn how to use the scientific method and learn about characteristics and landforms of your home planet Earth. You will also learn about ocean features and marine life.

Module Materials:

Lesson # Lesson Title Material(s)
1 What Is Science? pen or pencil
*Science 4A Workbook, ISBN 978-1-63916-044-0 (optional)
2 Observations and the Scientific Method shoebox or brown paper bag (optional)
pen or pencil
3 Living on Planet Earth paper plate
modeling clay in a range of colors
10 toothpicks
markers
pen or pencil
4 Ocean Features pen or pencil;
5 Marine Life pen or pencil
poster board
magazines or internet images to make a collage (optional)
scissors
glue

Module Objectives:

Lesson # Lesson Title Objective(s)
1 What Is Science?
  1. Define science and describe why it is important.
  2. List the common steps of the scientific method.
2 Observations and the Scientific Method
  1. Define observation.
  2. List common steps in a scientific method.
  3. Design and carry out your own simple experiment using the scientific method.
3 Living on Planet Earth
  1. Describe the shape of the Earth.
  2. List and define common terms used to describe Earth.
  3. Describe at least five reasons that life can exist on Earth.
  4. Model and label at least five landforms that exist on Earth’s surface.
4 Ocean Features
  1. Name the five oceans on Earth that make up the world ocean.
  2. Describe the role of an oceanographer.
  3. Identify the main features of the ocean floor.
5 Marine Life
  1. Describe marine life.
  2. Identify the main landforms of the ocean.
  3. List the five oceans of the Earth and describe where they are located.

Module Key Words:

Key Words
scientific method
scientific inquiry
scientist
observation
experiment
landforms
resources
Earth
life
ocean
oceanography
ocean floor
marine life

Module Assignments:

Lesson # Lesson Title Page # Assignment Title
3 Living on Planet Earth 6 Modeling Earth's Landforms Assignment
4 Ocean Features 4 Interview an Oceanographer Assignment
5 Marine Life 3 Ocean Collage Assignment

Learning Coach Notes:

None

Module Guiding Questions:

When a student starts a lesson ask them questions to check for prior knowledge and understanding and to review concepts being taught. At the end of the lesson ask the questions again to see if their answer changes.

Lesson Title Question
What Is Science?
  1. What is Science?
Observations and the Scientific Method
  1. What can you learn about the world around you by observing?
Living on Planet Earth
  1. Why is Earth unique compared to other planets?
Ocean Features
  1. What are the features of the ocean?
Marine Life
  1. What is life like in the ocean?

Module Video Questions:

When a student watches a video take time to ask them questions about what they watched. Suggested questions for the videos in this module are listed here. Suggestion: Have the student watch the entire video first all the way through. Then have them watch the video a second time, as they watch it pause the video and ask the questions.

Lesson Title Video Question
What Is Science? Discovering the Scientific Method
  1. What is the Scientific Method?
  2. In your Science notebook, write the steps to the scientific method.
  3. Write down 5 things you learned from this video in your notebook.
Observations and the Scientific Method Video: What Is the Scientific Method?
  1. What is the Scientific Method?
  2. Write down 5 things you learned from this video in your Science notebook.
Living on Planet Earth A First Look: Earth
  1. What are the major features of Earth?
  2. Why are these features important?
Living on Planet Earth Looking at Earth
  1. How has Earth changed over time?
  2. Write your answer in your Science notebook.
Ocean Features The Earth's Five Oceans
  1. Why is Earth called the Blue Planet?
  2. What are the names of the oceans on Earth?
  3. How much of Earth is covered by oceans?
Ocean Features Exploring the Ocean Floor
  1. What is the ocean floor like?
  2. Write about what you learned from this video in your Science notebook.
Marine Life About the Ocean
  1. Write down 5 things you learned about the ocean from this video in your Science notebook.

Module Suggested Read Aloud Books:

Take time to read to your student or have them read aloud to you. Read a different book each day. While reading the book point out concepts being taught. You may purchase these books or find them at your local library. Suggested things to discuss while reading the book:

  • What is the main idea?
  • What are three things new you learned?
  • How does this book relate to what you are learning about?

# Book Author Lexile Level
1 Mad Margaret Experiments with the Scientific Method Eric Mark Braun NC530L
2 What is the Scientific Method? Baby Professor
3 Earth's Features Tom Evans
4 Earth and You: A Closer View: Nature's Features J. Patrick Lewis
5 Ocean: A Visual Encyclopedia DK IG1200L
6 Ultimate Oceanpedia Christina Wilsdon IG1030L

Module Outing:

Take some time to apply what your student is learning to the real world. Suggested outings are below.

# Outing
1 Visit a local aquarium and observe the different ocean life.