Applied Science - Science and Math (1A)
Pre Lab 

   
OBJECTIVES:
  • Discovering the importance of observation.
  • Observing objects in a small area.
VOCABULARY:
  •  describe
  •  discover
  •  observation
  •  science

MATERIALS:

  • worksheet
  • crayons 

Students use a worksheet to observe objects.

BACKGROUND:

Many scientists and all good learners "discover" while they are observing. When scientists describe a discovery, they must be able to record details of the observation. Scientists will use words, pictures, photographs, sound, and video to help capture that observation for others to experience.

Observation is very important in science and other subjects. It can help students look more closely at nature and learn to be more patient in everything they do. Some people are "natural" observers, while others need some guidance to appreciate their surroundings.

You can increase the observational skills of your students by carefully bringing out details of the object. For example, stating you see a fly is not good observation. Stating you see a living organism as large as a pea with two front wings, two back wings, and large eyes. This helps them to visualize the object and develop observational skills.

PROCEDURE:
  1. Hand out the worksheet to students. The little boy/girl in the worksheet is looking at the grass and discovering new things. You can customize the child on the worksheet to reflect your student population. Have the student draw their own features on the face and draw in hair similar to their own.
      
  2. Discuss what the child can see and make a list of the items on the board. As the children are coloring, ask them to draw in any items that they might have observed in their grass. Give them clues such as worms, grasshoppers, ladybugs, and any other organisms that might be in your area.
      
  3. To help your students "observe" more closely, suggest they lay down on the grass at home or at a park and carefully examine the grass. If your school has a grassy area, have the students go outside and observe before they start the exercise. The students should look at their surroundings very carefully and report to the class what they see.

 

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