Investigating Our Surroundings: Observing the Outdoors

Students will observe, describe, measure, compare, and contrast common objects through questioning, writing, drawing, presenting, and sharing information. Students will become familiar with scientific inquiry and questioning. Students will learn to observe and measure. Students will understand the terms thermometer, temperature, and weight.

This lesson is designed for a first grade classroom. It is a combination field exercise and classroom project. This is a two day lesson. Students should be familiar with the use of a variety of tools to be used.

Day 1: Students will go outside and collect leaves, rocks, grass, and other natural objects on our collection walk. Students will then write about and draw each object in their science journals. After each object, students should write one question they have about the object. Students will discuss observations and questions in small groups. The class as a whole group discusses the objects and questions.
Day 2: The class reviews the questions from Day 1 lesson. The teacher sets out tools (rulers, thermometers, balance scale, etc) and tells the students to find out more about their materials. Students work with a partner to add more information about the materials to their journals. Teacher circles and facilitates with questions. Whole group shares and discusses new findings. Teacher is aware that vocabulary is introduced and explained during discussion.

This lesson shifts the focus from teacher led to student led. The students are discovering about their natural world rather than the teacher telling them about it. Teachers will use materials that are commonly found around their school area. Use of various tools should be pre-taught.

Teacher observation and science journals are used to assess students understanding of the lesson. Students should demonstrate knowledge of properties of the materials and record some measurements.

1.I.B-questions about natural world