It's time for science!

This week, we officially kicked off our science work for the year by introducing the 8 science and engineering practices. We learned how to develop and use models while using the skills of observation and critiquing.

We started off our study with the a look at the human life cycle. The students were told that all living things have a life cycle and that their job would be to use what they already know to create a scientific model (a chart or drawing) that shows their current thinking about the life cycle of a frog.

Each group was given a large piece of paper and went to work. We worked on practicing our cooperation skills while making the posters so that everyone's voice was heard by their group.

The following day we were ready to learn more about the life cycle of the frog. It was time to observe tadpoles!

Later on, after we learn a lot more about the frog's life cycle, we are going to have a chance to revise our thinking on our original models. Today we had the chance to look at a few of the models while we discussed the frog's life cycle. When it was their turn to share their thinking, students could choose to state a new idea about that particular poster, add on to an idea that was already stated by someone else, or repeat an idea that someone else said in their own words.

We can't wait to revisit the tadpoles later next week and add our new knowledge to our scientific models!