Overview and Background: Unit: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Super Flyer

Tammy Reif : Cheney USD 268

Science. : Science. : Science.

Cheney : Grades 5 - 5 : Aug. - Jun.

Title:	It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Super Flyer
Topics:	Variables & Scientific Method
Time Frame:	One Month
Start Date:	-
Status:	Draft
Date Revised:

Other Designers: Sherri Conrad, Gloria Puetz

Summary:
During this unit the students will explore the scientific method in order to apply for a position in the 5th Grade School of Engineering. The students will be required to create, test, and record a scientific investigation of planes that demonstrates their knowledge of controlling variables.

Print Materials Needed:

Resources:
FOSS Variables Manual
Variables Supplemental Resource

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:

Stage 1: Identify Desired Results

State:	KS       1
Title:	Science as Inquiry
Standard(s):	Experiences in grades 5-8 will allow all students to develop the abilities to do scientific inquiry, be able to demonstrate how scientific inquiry is applied, and develop understandings about scientific inquiry.

Understandings:
user	The scientific method of investigations follows a logical sequence. A successful science investigation involves isolating one variable at a time to manipulate to determine its affect on the outcome. Different variables have different effects on the outcome and the degree of the effect varies.

Essential Questions:
User	*Why do scientific investigations need to be organized? *What is the significance of the "scientific method"? *What makes the results of one investigation more believable than the results of a different investigation? *Why do we control variables in an experiment?

Knowledge and Skills:

K
*The steps of the scientific method in order
*Related Vocabulary (investigation, variable, controlled experiment, hypothesis, process skills)
*Types of variables that can be controlled *Different ways to display data
*Lab safety procedures
*How to organize a scientific investigation *Difference between qualitative and quantitative data

S
*Develop and conduct a controlled scientific investigation using the scientific method
*Apply observation skills
*Analyze and interpret data collected
*Draw conclusions about investigation

Stage 2: Determine Acceptable Evidence

Assessment Summary:
During this unit the students will explore the scientific method in order to apply for a position in the 5th Grade School of Engineering. The students will be required to create, test, and record a scientific investigation of planes that demonstrates their knowledge of controlling variables.

Other Evidence:
Daily observations; self-assessments; unit test on variables which include reflective, hands-on, and pictorial; and performance assessment

Task/Prompt: It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Super Flyer

Type: Performance Prompt

Topics: variables

Summary:
During this unit the students will explore the scientific method in order to apply for a position in the 5th Grade School of Engineering. The students will be required to create, test, and record a scientific investigation of planes that demonstrates their knowledge of controlling variables.

Print Materials Needed:

Resources:

Resource Attachments:

Internet Resource Links:
Link 1: http://
Link 2: http://
Link 3: http://
Link 4: http://
Link 5: http://

State:	KS       1
Title:	Science Inquiry
Standard(s):	Experiences in grades 5-8 will allow all students to develop the abilities to do scientific inquiry, be able to demonstrate how scientific inquiry is applied, and develop understandings about scientific inquiry.

Notes:

Student Directions:
You are now enrolled in the 5th grade School of Engineering. During this course you will be trained in constructing and testing the distance traveled by the Super Flyer Plane. After graduating from 5th grade School of Engineering job you will be applying for an engineering position at Boeing. As part of the application process you are required to develop a plane that changes the results of the plane constructed during engineering school. Using the scientific investigation process you must prove your results in writing.

Other assessment evidence to be collected:

Stage 3: Plan Learning Experiences and Instruction

Learning Activities:

W
*Post essential questions on the bulletin board.
*Pre-test and post-test on the scientific method and importance of controlling the variable.
*KWL Chart about the scientific method.
*Print handouts laying out the performance requirements, deadlines, checklists, rubrics, and reference map.

H
*Begin the unit with a reenactment of The Flipper that Flopped. This reenactment will demonstrate an experiment with inconclusive results due to variables not being controlled.
*Challenge students using Round Table to react to the Flipper that Flopped.

E
*Students will investigate pendulums, life boats, planes and flippers.
*Explore the scientific method through the Extension Activities located in the FOSS Variables units.
*Equip: record information using the scientific method in their science journals.

R
*Students will reflect on the effects of variables by working in cooperative groups to investigate their experiments.

E
During this unit the students will explore the scientific method in order to apply for a position in the 5th Grade School of Engineering. The students will be required to create, test, and record a scientific investigation of planes that demonstrates their knowledge of controlling variables.

*Students record the first four steps (problem, hypothesis, materials, and procedure) of the scientific method in their portfolio (file folder).
*Students create and test a plane that changes the results of the Super Flyer.
*Students record their observations and conclusions.
*Post Test
*Performance task summary

Notes: