Appendix F (Science and Engineering Practices) of the NGSS asks us to teach our students how to plan and carry out investigations, but that's about all the direction we get. So, I've developed a series of eleven videos and accompanying worksheets that support this topic. The videos are light-hearted, example-filled, and will provide your students with a clear means for planning and carrying out a scientific investigation.

All lessons are developed using the BSCS 5E instructional model for teaching and learning (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate) with a 6th (Extend) added for good measure. The handouts are based on video materials you can preview on the "How About Science?" website at Scientific Practices and the Scientific Method.

Students may work independently if everyone has an internet connected device. If not, the videos can be projected and the handout completed as a group. Two handouts and keys are provided for each lesson. Choose either one, based on the time you have and the ability level of your students. The first handout is more detailed and will take more time to complete. The second handout is shorter and focuses more on main ideas. Just go to the website and click on the appropriate video. Your students can watch the videos, fill out the handouts, discuss the answers and take the online quiz (Kahout).

Here are a few things to consider. If students are working individually it is helpful, but not required to have headphones or earbuds. If the sound is kept low even a large class of students can be successful without them. Also, because students find the directions very easy to follow, these are perfect for substitute teachers. And, because the videos are online, students with internet connections at home don't have to be at school to complete an assignment. My classes are typically action packed with labs and activities, but these video-based lessons require careful listening and focus. My classes are never quieter, which is kind of nice on occasion.

Note! I would suggest doing a trial run before purchasing if you plan to have a large class of students working at individual computers. Internet connection speeds vary which may cause videos to load slowly. You might have everyone log on and try my free resource on TpT (or just go to a lesson and choose something) just to be sure you aren't going to have connection issues. If you do, then you can always project the videos and complete the handouts as a group.

The emphasis of this unit is on the skills a scientist needs in order to ask good questions, conduct an investigation and communicate results effectively. Students learn how to ask scientific questions, how to write a hypothesis, the importance of variables, how to make data tables and graphs and much, much more!

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