"Raining Cats and Dogs".
Learning Intention: Use prior knowledge to explore, check the reasonableness and validate a scientific phenomenon.
Today the children tested their ability to examine unusual phenomenon by drawing on their prior knowledge. We used the Inquiry model to work through this process. "Animals can rain from the sky" (Excite)
The children discussed this statement in small groups and each had come up with 10 questions that instantly came into their heads. Each group also had to come up with a consensus as to the validity of the statement - True or False. Secondly the children were given an article describing this phenomenon and explaining how it has been known for frogs and fish to fall from the sky in large quantities. (Explore)
Using this piece of information the children had to list down every-thing they knew about the life cycle of frogs and fish ( They spawn from tiny eggs), and then everything they knew about the weather that could contribute to this weird occurrence. (tornado and the water cycle). Next each group had to create a scientific explanation based on everything they had written down and then present it in a diagram to the class. (Examine/Explain)
After each group had presented their scientific 'explanations' we watched a short film that included scientists, meteorologists and people who had experienced this phenomenon first hand. The children had to take notes to add to their original ideas. (Expand)
At the end of the movie the children were asked to check the validity of the source, we discovered that the film was made by www.storytellers.com. This lead us to believe that the information included may have been fictitious. The children decided that in order to truly validate this fact we needed to have at least three different sources confirming this information. (Expand)
After finding numerous articles, photos, and accounts of 'frogs and fish falling from the sky' we concluded that this scientific anomaly is in actual fact TRUE!!! (Express)who knew !!- time to upgrade your umbrella!
The children discussed this statement in small groups and each had come up with 10 questions that instantly came into their heads. Each group also had to come up with a consensus as to the validity of the statement - True or False. Secondly the children were given an article describing this phenomenon and explaining how it has been known for frogs and fish to fall from the sky in large quantities. (Explore)
Using this piece of information the children had to list down every-thing they knew about the life cycle of frogs and fish ( They spawn from tiny eggs), and then everything they knew about the weather that could contribute to this weird occurrence. (tornado and the water cycle). Next each group had to create a scientific explanation based on everything they had written down and then present it in a diagram to the class. (Examine/Explain)
After each group had presented their scientific 'explanations' we watched a short film that included scientists, meteorologists and people who had experienced this phenomenon first hand. The children had to take notes to add to their original ideas. (Expand)
At the end of the movie the children were asked to check the validity of the source, we discovered that the film was made by www.storytellers.com. This lead us to believe that the information included may have been fictitious. The children decided that in order to truly validate this fact we needed to have at least three different sources confirming this information. (Expand)
After finding numerous articles, photos, and accounts of 'frogs and fish falling from the sky' we concluded that this scientific anomaly is in actual fact TRUE!!! (Express)who knew !!- time to upgrade your umbrella!
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