Department of Mathematics and Science

Grade 5 Nature of ScienceBig Idea 1: The Practice of Science

Quarter 1 Topic 1Practicing Science

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Practicing Science

What is Science?

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WHAT DO ALL SCIENTISTS DO?

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1. Look/watch things with a purpose

2. Think ahead about what might happen3. Use tools to make precise or specific information with numbers4. Put things into definite categories by common properties5. Use reasoning to draw conclusions

6. Describe and share information with others

Process Skills:Observe

Predict

Measure

Classify

Infer

Communicate

Scientists at Work

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How do Scientists Make Observations?

Scientists use their Five Senses

• Sight - Looks• Touch - Feels• Hearing – Sounds

when moving…• Odor – Smells • Tastes Qualitative Observations

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Scientists use measurement tools to make observations

that involve numbers or quantities

How do Scientists get precise or specific size information about objects?

Scientists at Work: What do you see when you observe the candle?

Write in your notebook.

Look over the list you made. Are they all observations?Remember, observations use the senses to gather information. Is there anything on the list that is what you think or infer?

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Senses Observations Inferences Compare and Contrast

Observation InferencesTo infer is to use observations to reach a conclusion based on evidence.

OpinionA personal belief that does not need proof.

To observe is to look closely at something using any of the five senses and/or measurement tools.

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Observations versus Inferences

Make Five Observations Make 5 inferences

Scientists at Work: Write one observation, one inference and one opinion about what you see in the photo.

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Scientists at Work: Classify Objects

Look at the shells in this photograph. What are some ways you could group them by their properties?

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Scientists Communicate in Many Ways

• Giving talks• Sharing drawing• Making posters• Making charts or graphs• Writing papers or

articles

• Telephoning• Emailing• Texting• Blogging• Body Language• Using Models• Message boards

List several ways to communicate.

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Apply Concepts

1. Compare these two animals. List how they look similar and different.

2. Imagine you are on a camping trip. Upon waking up you notice a garbage can tipped over outside your cabin. Plastic bags are torn open. What could you infer? Give evidence for your claim.

Scientist Bio-Poem

Line 1: Scientist’s first name _____________Line 2: Scientist who studies _____________Line 3: 3 adjectives that describe the scientist ____________ ___________ ____________Line 4: Who works at ______________Line 5: Who learned by _____________Line 6: Who found that _____________Line 7: Who would like to see _________Line 8: Last name ______________

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