This complete unit on the scientific method includes the following sections:
Section 1: Observations & Inferences
Section 2: Scientific Method Basics
Section 3: Designing an Experiment (Investigation Design)
Section 4: Data Analysis, Basic Graphing,Forming Conclusions & 2 different options for students to design their own experiment and carry out the steps of the scientific method.
Section 5: Review assignments and unit test

All files in zip folder are Microsoft Word documents and can be used as is or easily edited to suit your needs.

All activities only require cheap and easy to find materials. (see preview for more info)

Each section comes with learning assignments, activities, a quiz, and an enrichment and intervention assignment.

All lessons include a complete formal lesson plan, student handouts in multiple versions to be used for differentiation, and homework assignments.

Section 1: 3 Instructional lessons on Observations & Inferences including qualitative and quantitative observations, 2 homework assignments, 1 quiz, and one intervention and enrichment assignment (approximately 6 class periods)

Section 2: 2 instructional lessons on scientific method basics. These lessons include an activity, reading, questions on the reading, concept map that goes with the reading, a practice assignment, and a mini research assignment. Also includes 1 quiz and one intervention and enrichment assignment. (approximately 4-5 class periods)

Section 3: 2 instructional lessons on designing an experiment (investigation design- controlled experiment, control group, experimental group, independent(manipulated) and dependent (responding) variables), 1 quiz, and one intervention and enrichment assignment. The lessons include a class lab activity, a reading, and 2 practice assignments- one in which they evaluate the design of sample experiments. (approximately 5 class periods)

Section 4: 5 instructional lessons on data analysis (including creating and reading data tables), basic graphing (circle or pie graphs, bar graphs, & line graphs- both reading the graphs and making graphs), forming conclusions, and applying all of these aspects to their own experiment. Additionally, this section includes one quiz, an intervention and enrichment assignment, a homework assignment, and instruction on how to write a formal lab report.
(approximately 8 class periods)

Section 5: 2 Review assignments and a unit exam

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Scientific Method Unit by ACQUIRE Lesson Plans is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.