Day 8: What Are Scientific Illustrations?

Mini-Lesson
OVERVIEW
Scientists make connections while doing research all of the time. When making observations on larvae, scientists may notice that the spines on a caterpillar remind them of the spines on a cactus. Since they already know that the spines help protect the cactus, this connection helps the scientists understand that the spines might be a defense mechanism against predators for both organisms.
NOTE: You are encouraged to create the “Making Connections” anchor chart with your learners as you move through the lesson, using the provided anchor chart as a model. Post it for easy reference when completed and remind learners to refer to the anchor charts during inquiry circles.
PROCEDURE
Each italicized statement below contains suggested wording the teacher may choose to use for the lesson; additional teacher actions and considerations are in parentheses.
Before Inquiry Circles
- It is time to get into our inquiry circles. (Have the Equipment Directors gather the Inquiry Chart for their team.) Today we will look for answers to different questions on your Inquiry Charts.
During Inquiry Circles (20 minutes)
- The Lead Scientists will guide all research for the day by picking which questions will be answered, and the Data Scientists will record all source information and the answers to your research questions on the team Inquiry Chart. The Lab Directors and the Equipment Directors must help find the answers to the questions online and in texts.
- My role is to help guide the inquiry circles, but I expect you to work as a scientific team to solve your problems together. (While teams are working together, walk around the room to facilitate as needed.)
After Inquiry Circle Time (10 minutes)
- As we conclude our inquiry circles for today, each team will have a chance to share what they accomplished and learned.
- The Lab Directors should lead the discussion with their inquiry circle team about today’s results. For example, did your team use any reading strategies today? If so, which one(s)? What did your team learn about its organism? What problems did your team encounter? How did your team resolve those problems?
- (After you have allowed the teams to gather their thoughts, have the Data Scientists share with the class. Try to encourage teams to share a variety of things—you do not want just facts about animals, just reading strategies, or just cooperative learning strategies.)
- (After all teams have shared, thank them for their hard work, and point out any excellent behaviors that you observed. If you noticed any problems in the teams during the lessons, take a moment to point them out, and explain your expectations for all future inquiry circles. Collect all Inquiry Charts or have the Equipment Directors put them in their normal classroom place for ongoing work so they can easily access them.)