Step into Unit 3: Weather to see how a lesson would unfold in Bring Science Alive!
Unit Anchoring Phenomenon
Each unit begins with a storyline that allows students to dive deep into a real-world phenomenon. The Anchoring Phenomenon encourages students to make connections with the world around them. Students then further explore the phenomenon during the Performance Assessment.
Storyline: Some days it is sunny all day. Other days, it’s cloudy. Sometimes we get big storms. The weather forecast let us know it’s coming. what is it like where you live? How do you keep safe in a storm?
Anchoring Phenomenon: Weather is not the same everywhere.
After student watches the anchoring phenomenon video, students begin a KWL chart in their Science Journal. They generate questions for inquiry and return to fill out their charts throughout the unit.
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| View in Science Journal (p.3) | How it works online |
Lesson Phenomenon
Each lesson begins with an investigative phenomenon that is used to pique students’ interest and drive instruction throughout the investigation.
Lesson 3’s Phenomenon: The sun makes the snow melt.
By the end of the lesson, students will be able to explain the phenomenon.
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| View in Science Journal (p. 47) | How it works online |
Three-Dimensional Lesson Investigations
Hands-on investigations allow students to take on the role of scientists and explore real-world problems.
In Lesson 3: What Keeps Earth Warm? students test sand, rock, soil, and water in the sun and in the shade to see if sunlight makes them warmer.
Check for Understanding
At the end of the lesson, students demonstrate what they’ve learned with Show What You Know and Making Sense of Phenomenon.
In unit 3, lesson 3, students tell a story about what they may discover when they see the snowman later the day. Then, they do use the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning model to answer the question: Why is the ground warm in the summer?
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| View in Science Journal (p. 58-59) | How it works online |
Engineering
Engineering
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Each unit contains at least one engineering lesson. In an engineering lesson, students engage in the engineering process to think like an engineer as they solve real-world problems related to the Anchoring Phenomenon. Engineering Challenges engage students to design solutions directly related to Disciplinary Core Ideas. In lesson 4 of unit 3, students design a structure to keep a sandbox cool. They make a model of their structure, and then test it to see if it keeps sand cool. |
NGSS-Designed Assessments
Each lesson includes a TCI assessment that addresses all three dimensions, uses diverse stimuli, and allows students to express understanding in multiple formats. You can use it as a formative or summative assessment to evaluate students’ ability to explain real-world data and phenomena. Want more flexibility with assessments? You can also create your own, or use shared questions from other TCI teachers.
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| View in Print | How it works online |
Super Simple Science
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Super Simple Science investigations are bite-sized lessons that can be done in 30-mins or less. Each Super Simple Science lesson comes with an engaging lesson video for students to follow along as they conduct them in-class or at home. These lessons are perfect “Fun Friday” lessons and do not require special materials. In lesson 3’s Super Simple Science, students learn about the climate of the Red Planet, Mars. Then, they make a model of Mars with clay and test its temperature in a sunny location and in a cold place.
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Performance Assessment
Students apply what they have learned in a hands-on Performance Assessment where they are evaluated across the three dimensions.
Unit 3 Performance Assessment: Keeping Cool at the Park
Find out about the weather where you live. Help a friend pack for a trip to your town. Find a way to help others keep cool at the park.
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| View in Science Journal (p. 74-78) | How it works online |