Unit Lesson Plan

Unit Plan Topic Steps of the Scientific Method

Lesson Subject Science

area
Objectives Students will apply their new knowledge of the scientific
method in order to test an experiment based on a topic
interested to them.
This application will teach students the necessary skills to
solve problems in a credible way throughout their lives.

Procedures The lesson will begin by introducing the topic via the Teacher
Technology Activity (YouTube Video). This is done in order
to introduce the topic in a fun and easy manner that will get
the students engaged. (I DO)
Next, the students as a class will popcorn read through the
chapter of their Science textbook that explains the scientific
method and other various forms of Science experimentation.
(WE DO)
For the duration of the class period, the students will complete
the Student Created Technology Activity (the directed
browsing activity). The answers to these questions will be
printed and turned into the teacher. (YOU DO)
To ensure that students really retain the knowledge, a science
experiment will be assigned (see details below under the
Evaluation Rubric section).
Lastly, students will be given a unit test to assure that they
have retained all necessary knowledge.

Teacher https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAJ8IF4HI20
Technology
Activity
Student Created
Technology
Activity

Materials needed A device for each student that connects to the internet so that
students can complete the directed browsing activity
Printer for students to print out their answers from the directed
browsing activity
Headphones for students to use interactive websites about the
scientific method
Science textbooks

Evaluation Rubric Students will select their own science experiment topics (must
be approved by the teacher) and conduct a full experiment
using the steps of the scientific method
 After completing and presenting these projects, students will
be given a unit test with multiple choice questions about the
whole unit
Science Fair Experiment : The Scientific Method

Teacher Name: Ms. Dunbar

Student Name: ________________________________________

CATEGORY 4 3 2 1
Data Collection Data was collected Data was collected more Data was collected more Data was collected only
several times. It was than one time. It was than one time. Adult once and adult assistance
summarized, summarized, assistance was needed to was needed to clearly
independently, in a way independently, in a way clearly summarize what summarize what was
that clearly describes that clearly describes was discovered. discovered.
what was discovered. what was discovered.
Idea Independently identified Identified, with adult Identified, with adult Identified a question that
a question which was help, a question which help, a question which could not be
interesting to the student was interesting to the could be investigated. tested/investigated or
and which could be student and which could one that did not merit
investigated. be investigated. investigation.

Variables Independently identified Independently identified With adult help, Adult help needed to
and clearly defined which which variables were identified and clearly identify and define
variables were going to going to be changed defined which variables almost all the variables.
be changed (independent (independent variables) were going to be
variables) and which and which were going to changed (independent
were going to be be measured (dependent variables) and which
measured (dependent variables). Some were going to be

Descripton of Procedure Procedures were Procedures were Procedures were Procedures that were
outlined in a step-by-step outlined in a step-by-step outlined in a step-by-step outlined were seriously
fashion that could be fashion that could be fashion, but had 1 or 2 incomplete or not
followed by anyone followed by anyone gaps that require sequential, even after
without additional without additional explanation even after adult feedback had been
explanations. No adult explanations. Some adult adult feedback had been given.
Hypothesis Development help was needed to
Independently developed help was needed to
Independently developed given.
Independently developed Needed adult assistance
an hypothesis well- an hypothesis somewhat an hypothesis somewhat to develop an hypothesis
substantiated by a substantiated by a substantiated by a or to do a basic literature
literature review and literature review and literature review or review.
observation of similar observation of similar observation of similar
phenomena. phenomena. phenomena.
Diagrams Provided an accurate, Provided an accurate Provided an easy-to- Did not provide a
easy-to-follow diagram diagram with labels to follow diagram with diagram OR the diagram
with labels to illustrate illustrate the procedure labels to illustrate the was quite incomplete.
the procedure or the or the process being procedure or process,
process being studied. studied. but one key step was left
out.
Display Each element in the Each element had a Each element had a The display seemed
display had a function function and clearly function and clearly incomplete or chaotic
and clearly served to served to illustrate some served to illustrate some with no clear plan. Many
illustrate some aspect of aspect of the experiment. aspect of the experiment. labels were missing or
the experiment. All Most items, 6, graphs Most items, 6, graphs incorrect.
items, 6, graphs etc. were etc. were neatly and etc. were correctly
Conclusion/Summary neatly and correctly
Student provided a correctly labeled.
Student provided a labeled.
Student provided a No conclusion was
detailed conclusion somewhat detailed conclusion with some apparent OR important
clearly based on the data conclusion clearly based reference to the data and details were overlooked.
and related to previous on the data and related the hypothesis
research findings and the to the hypothesis statement(s).
hypothesis statement(s). statement(s).