Sunday, January 1, 2012

Scientific Method Foldable





January is when my grade level focuses on the scientific method. My class will do several class experiments together, practicing, but in just a couple of weeks, my students will be partnered into groups of 3 to do a science fair experiment for our school science fair. Not all of the 4 grades at my school will do this. Some will just create a class experiment and display board. I just find that letting the students do more on their own really makes for deeper learning and connection/commitment to the procedure and results.

Anyhow, I start by making sure all my students have a background in the scientific method. These foldables are one way I do this. The main foldable is a layered minibook. It has the steps of the scientific method. Above the step name, but under the previous flap, is information that helps students understand the step. I found the info and simplified its vocabulary to make it appropriate for the abilities of fourth graders. You can use this foldable for older or younger students by doing the same. The matchbook foldable is also a flap book. In the main book, the term “variables” is often used. Some of my students will know the basics of a variable; some won’t. However, I’ve never had a 4th grader that really understood that there are different kinds of variables, each with a name. So, we make this foldable to ensure all the students have the knowledge and vocab to use the scientific method.


Hope this helps or inspires your scientific method unit.

44 comments:

  1. I love your teaching methods and bet the kids love having you as their teacher.
    I will be trying some of your foldables on my next prac teaching block. Thank you

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  2. These are great foldables! I use a lot of them in my room for all subjects. I agree that it is important to let the students do more on their own. My class did one project together. They chose "What type of fabric dries fastest in the sun?" I got all the materials and guided them through what to do for the procedure. I know their conclusion may not have been completely accurate, but it is what they came to based on their own observations so I let them run with it. We ended up getting 1st place this year. They were so excited!

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  3. I like that idea about fabric for an experiment:) Which one dried quickest? silk, nylon?

    Anyway, I have a word document that I use to print off and the students cut to make a cascading book which looks just like your foldables. Tell me, how did you fold the Scientific Method Booklets?

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  4. I love, love, love your foldables. Is there any way you could show what is written in each section of the foldable?

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  5. Is there anyway you could please email me the information you place under each tab? Thank you so much for sharing this great idea!

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  6. Ditto, do you mind emailing or publishing what you write under each flap?

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  7. I am needing help. My daughter doing nproject. This woul totally help me. Need more step by step to do this if you don't mind

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  8. Is there a way I can get a copy of how to make this foldable? I have decided to try and use foldables this year but still learning how to put them together and what to put in them.

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  9. I too would love to see what you wrote under each flap! If you could post or e-mail that would be awesome!! This foldable is all over Pinterest, so I'm sure loads of people would greatly appreciate this info :)

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  10. I would love to see what you have under each flap! This is such a great idea! Have you already posted it somewhere? Or would you be able to send out an email of it? Thanks so much!

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  11. I am doing this with my son. I am not homeschooling but doing online public charter schooling. We have to go over this but he is having a hard time memorizing it. Can we see what is under the flap? Thanks!!

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  12. Not sure if you were able to email the others yet, but if so, I would love to have that information as well so I can see what you included under each flap for both foldables too. Thank you!

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  13. Is there anyway you can email what you write under each tab for both foldables? I would really appreciate it and I know my students would benefit from this. Thank you.

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  14. Like the others...can you email me the words for the inside of each tab? Great idea!!!
    ctaft@manasquanboe.org

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  15. Can I also get an email about what you put under each tab? This is a great way to chunk notes! darcygillaspy@yahoo.com

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  16. I too would LOVE to see what is inside the foldables! Any chance?

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  17. I would love to know what you have under each tab of the foldables. These are great and I do use foldables in their interactive notebooks. Even if you can send pictures of each tab that would be awesome.
    packmom215@gmail.com

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  18. I have been using a lot of foldables in my students' notebooks this year. Please email me photos or files for the "insides" of this foldable. Thanks for sharing. My email is tinytaz@tampabay.rr.com.

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  19. thank you very much for the ideas that you are bringing. I use a lot of foldables but had not thought about using one for this topic, which I am on. I will be doing this in my class tomorrow. My students are having a hard time with variables, i hope this helps them. Thanks again. I would love to see what info you put on yours and compare it to what I use. sdameron@grandblancacademy.org

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  20. We are at the end of all our units and we are just now beginning our experimental design. I too would love to see what you have written under the flaps of your foldable. I think this is a great idea for my science enrichment class and could really help them as I get ready to send them off to 9th grade.
    If you could email me that would be awesome! dlmcclure@wfisd.net

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  21. I also would love the specifics of each fold. ecedr@yahoo.com

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  22. I would love the specifics as well! mchumash@gmail.com

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  23. I would love specifics too! hansen9190@yahoo.com

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  25. Fabulous idea - very inspirational Blog. Like so many people in the comments above, I would very much appreciate access to how you've worded the various stages and variables.Thank you. rebecca@gutterwise.com.au

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  26. Please email if you do have the word document dstout@fullerton.edu

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  27. To learn more about how science really works, to add to a foldable, see Understanding Science website, http://undsci.berkeley.edu/article/intro_01 This site lays out the ways "The Scientific Method" is misleading, and how to engage students of all ages in the practices of science and science inquiry.

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  28. Wish I'd had a teacher like you when I was a kid!

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  29. Hello. I am going to try foldables with my students this year. I'm trying to make the insides complete but still simple so would appreciate it if you could send me what you wrote. Thank you! (My e-mail is gator20052002@hotmail.com)

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  30. I too would love the specifics of the inside! Please:) emme415@gmail.com

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  31. I would love the contents inside the flap, if you can email me please,
    jaz_charlie@hotmail.com

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  32. I just saw this, and I really think this is great! I know a lot of people have already asked, but can you also send me the information that goes under each section? My son is going over this in class right now, and I just know that this will help him get it. Thanks. (for both foldables)

    My email is: edwardcolleton@yahoo.com

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  33. Outstanding foldables! Like so many others, I would love to have the information that goes under each section for both foldables if you are willing to share.

    Thanks in advance.

    Danielle
    email: wderm2k@comcast.net

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  34. This is awesome! If you are still willing to share the details, please email me! My students would benefit greatly from this as they are required to complete a STEM fair project this year. Thanks!

    greenpenny7@gmail.com

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  36. I love these ideas! I will definitely be creating the flipbook with my students. Would you be able to email me, too, the text from under each flap? thanks!!
    rgreismanteaching@yahoo.com

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  37. Wow, this is such an amazing idea. I would really appreciate it if you would be able to email me both your scientific methods and your variable foldables. I would love to be able to make it for my classroom display during prac. Thanks :) My email is bevevaw@gmail.com

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  38. How can I get the inside content? lifgoson2004@yahoo.com or lifgoson2004@gmail.com

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  39. These look fantastic, I would love to use these in my classroom. If possible, can you please email me at starryvirgo84@yahoo.com. Thank you!

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  40. Would love to see what you have written on the tabs. Going to have my students enter the science fair for this first time this year! mewalker@smsd.org

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  41. Are you willing to share the content of this foldable? I am extremely interested in what you not only have on the outside, but what treasures are on the inside. Thank you so much!!!
    My email address is: dchblackhorse77@yahoo.com

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  42. If anyone got the info for the inside, can you please share? mswinney@pcs.k12.nc.us

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  43. If anyone got the info for the inside, can you please share? mswinney@pcs.k12.nc.us

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  44. I love this idea! My only change would be to not include "constants" on the list of variable type and instead make it it's own topic. I tell my students that "variable" means to change and "constant" means it doesn't change so something can't change and stay the same. Maybe use "constant factors" instead?

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