BSCS Investigating Physical Systems
Chapter 3 Identifying Limits & Diversity
8th Grade Science
Ruby Caliendo & Charlene Wiesenborn
June 2006
Objectives
Content Objectives: Chapter 3 Explore & Explain Activities
• N8A1 Construct appropriate charts, graphs, and tables to
display data. (CCSD #1)
• N8A1 Analyze appropriate charts, graphs, and tables.
(CCSD #2)
• N8A4 & 5 Accurately record and use information obtained
while conducting investigations. (CCSD #95)
• N8A6 Explain that scientific inquiry includes evaluating
results of investigations, observations, theoretical and
mathematical models, and explanations proposed by
others. (CCSD #96)
• N8A7 Students will know there are multiple methods for
organizing & analyzing information (Power Standard)
• N8B2 Present results and data to class. (CCSD #105)
EXPLORE Investigation
Threading the Needle
• In Question: How do you define success in a
scientific investigation?
• Purpose: Use terms “limits” & “diversity” correctly
and construct & analyze data tables
• Procedure: Through Questions:
Review How To #2 on pg 544
TQ#1: Read entire procedure & construct a team data table
TQ#2: Perform procedure & record team data in lab book
TQ#3: Analyze data according to Step #11 & record in lab
book
TQ#4: Record team data on class data table
TQ#5: Review How To #3 pg 551 & construct a bar graph of
class data
EXPLORE Investigation
Threading the Needle
• Wrap Up:
OQ#1: Did you need to change your data table during
activity?
OQ#2: Did your data table make it easy or difficult to
analyze data in Step #11?
OQ#3: Describe the limits that influenced your ability to
perform task successfully.
OQ#4: How much diversity was there in your team’s
results?
OQ#5: Describe how closely your team’s results match
results of other team’s in class.
EXPLORE Connections
How Do You Spell Success
• In Question: Define how your team determined if you
were successful in the Threading the Needle Activity
• Purpose: Develop a class definition of success when
treading the needle
• Procedure: Through Question:
Class Discussion: 1) Describe how team determined which
members had most success on Star Tracers; 2) How
many definitions of success in Star Tracers; 3) Describe
team definitions of success in Threading the Needle; &
4) Are teams with most success better than other teams
in class?
TQ#1: Develop class definition of success in Threading the
Needle
• Wrap Up: Out Question:
OQ#1: Record class definition of success in Threading the
Needle
EXPLAIN Investigation
If at First You Don’t Succeed
• In Question: Why would you redo an
experiment several times?
• Purpose: Students will compare first set of data
to new data and discuss why new data is more
reliable
• Procedure: Through Questions:
TQ#1: Review How To pg 540, Construct T-chart for Social
Skill, discuss how to move quickly & quietly to groups, then
fill in t-chart
TQ#2: Construct a team data table similar to or same as you
used in Threading the Needle
Perform same procedure for Threading the Needle using the
class definition of success
TQ#3: Record new team data on class data table
EXPLAIN Investigation
If at First You Don’t Succeed
• Procedure: Cont.
TQ#4: construct a new bar graph of new class data
TQ#5: Compare old class graph to new class graph
• Wrap Up: Out Question:
OQ#1: Did your number of successes change? If so explain
why.
OQ#2: List any new limits you think were due to the class
definition of success.
OQ#3: Describe differences between old & new class graphs.
OQ#4: Decide which graph has more reliable information
about class success. Explain your choice.
OQ#5: List specific Strategies that your team will use to move
into your group more quickly & quietly.
Teacher Wrap Up
• Review graphing before or during
• Social Skills Integration
• Assessing Activities
• Concerns / Problems with Activities