PhD Science Texas - Level 1 Module 2 - Extension Activities

TEXAS

Extension Activities

Level 1 Module 2

Lesson 9 Extension | Environments

Read aloud the book At Home with the Gopher

Tortoise: The Story of a Keystone Species (Dunphy and Rothman 2010). Students use a nonverbal signal every time they see or hear about a new animal. After reading pages 26 and 27, have students work individually to draw one example of how soil is useful.

PREPARATION

None

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Identify Ways That Soil is Useful

1. Listen to your teacher read.

2. Use a signal when you see or hear about a new animal.

3. How is soil useful? Draw one example.

4. Share your drawing with a partner.

Working in pairs, students discuss school waste disposal and write two interview questions to ask the school custodian. Have student pairs circle one question to ask the school custodian during the visit.

PREPARATION

Plan a time for the school custodian to visit the class.

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Write Interview Questions

1. Write one question.

2. Write another question.

3. Which question do you want to ask? Circle.

Lesson 25 Extension | Environments

Each student plants a sunflower seed in a flowerpot. Students place their pots in an area with ample light, such as a sunny window. Students draw and label their observations of the seedling each week.

PREPARATION

Provide soil, water, and sunflower seeds. Choose a location with ample light for students to place pots.

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Observe Sunflower Seedlings

1. Add soil to the flowerpot.

2. Use a pencil to make a dent in the soil.

3. Place the seed in the dent and cover with soil.

4. Add water to the soil.

5. Place your flowerpot next to a sunny window.

6. Observe your seedling. Draw your observations. Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6

7. Share your observations with the class.

Students vote as a class to research or investigate one unexplored question or related phenomenon from the module. With teacher support, students work in groups to perform research or carry out a simple investigation. Students then present their findings to the class.

PREPARATION

Prepare a list of unexplored questions and related phenomena from the module

driving question board. As necessary, curate resources for student research or provide materials and a procedure for a simple, teacher-designed investigation. Prepare to review safety measures with students as necessary.

Write the appropriate activity name and procedure on a whiteboard or a sheet of chart paper, and read aloud.

Research a Science Topic

1. Research the topic.

2. Prepare a presentation about the topic.

3. Share what you learned with the class. Carry Out an Investigation

1. Gather materials.

2. Carry out the investigation. Follow all safety rules.

3. Share what you learned with the class.

Lesson 1 Extension | Water

Students take a field trip through the school. Working in groups, students identify specific places where water is used, such as the bathroom, water fountain, and cafeteria. Students create a list of ways water is used at each location.

PREPARATION

Choose locations for students to visit.

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Observe Water Use

1. With the class, walk through the school.

2. Identify how water is used at each location.

3. Describe how the water is used. Write.

Bathroom

Water Fountain

Other

4. Share your findings with the class.

Lesson 6 Extension | Water

Students view rainwater paths from around the world in the raindrop simulation (http://phdsci. link/2456). Working in pairs, students observe three different rainwater paths and record the major water bodies that the rainwater travels through. This evidence supports the pattern that rainwater on Earth’s surface flows into larger and larger water bodies.

PREPARATION

Provide students with computers or tablets, and cue the raindrop path simulation web page (http://phdsci.link/2456).

Distribute and read aloud the following procedure sheet to students.

Observe Rainwater Paths

1. Click on the map to see a rainwater path.

2. Find the large water bodies on the path.

3. Write the names, or draw the large water bodies.

4. Repeat steps 1 through 3 for two more rainwater paths.

Path 1

Path 2

Path 3

5. Share your findings with the class.