Submitted by: Ashlee Lawson CWID: 50154366

Grade Level: 1st Mentor Teacher: Kelly Darst

Subject/Topic: Science / Observations

I Can Make Observations

Rationale: The purpose of this lesson is to help students
create observations and record data.
Materials/Equipment:
6 bags with hole cut in the side for students to put
their hand in; tops will be stapled or taped shut once
material is placed inside the bag.
Material inside the bags pumpkin, hot wheels car, bow, clips,
glove, green squishy toy, and wooden heart (this material can
be interchanged).

TEKS Achieved: Accommodations:

112.12b:(2d) record and organize data using pictures,
For students with autism, increase wait time for response
numbers, and words
to questions. Use visual support for communication and
112.12b:(2e) communicate observations and provide reasons
behavior. Gain attention before giving direction and
for explanations using student-generated data from simple
instruction.
descriptive investigations

Blooms Taxonomy: Differentiated Classroom Strategies: Curriculum

Knowledge/Remember Learning: Cooperative Groups Integration:
Comprehension/Understand Auditory Hands-On Science
Application Visual/Spatial Technology
Analysis Kinesthetic Independent Activities
Evaluation Logical/Math Simulation
Verbal/Linguistic Charts/Graphs/Maps
Intrapersonal Lecture
Interpersonal Problem Solving
Whole-group
Peer tutoring
Pairing

Objectives:
TSW record and organize data using pictures or words.
TSW communicate observations and provide reasons for explanations.

Lesson Plan:

Elicit prior understanding:

TTW have students come to the rug to begin the lesson.
TTW ask students what they use to make observations.

1
 What do you know about observations?
TTW ask students what tools they can use to make observations.
We have previously learned about our five senses, which of these senses can we use to make observations?
What tool(s) might help you make observations? Remind students that tools are used to enhance observations and are
selected carefully based on the question to be answered or the problem to be solved.

Engage:
TTW have six bags at the front of the classroom. Bags will be stapled or taped at the top with a cut on the side for
students to put their hands in.
TTW then ask students what they think is in the bag.
What do you think is in the bag?
Is the item big or small?
TTW state that the students will use some of their five senses to observe what may be in the bag.
TTW state that they will not be able to open the bag only be able to feel the object in the bag.
We will not be able to open the bag to see what is inside; we will be feeling with our hands.
TTW ask the students what senses they will be using.
We are going to be using which of our five senses to make our observations?
If we are using our hands which of our five senses are we using?
TTW demonstrate with one bag by feeling and smelling the object in the bag, recording her observations.
The item inside my bag feels like it is plastic. The item inside the bag has two wheels. The item inside the bag has two
skinny pieces of plastic coming from one side of the toy, and feels like it may have wings.
As a class, the students and teacher will come up with what they think is in the bag based on the observations.

Explore:
TTW have students go to their seats for the remaining portion of the lesson.
We will now go back to our seats and I will pass out a piece of paper for you to record your observations. When you get
to your desk please take out a pencil and wait for me to pass the papers out. Please show me 1, 2, 3.
TTW state that the students will be working with their table groups.
Today we will be working with our table groups to make our observations.
I will pass around some paper for you to record your observations. The sheet of paper will be already folded into six
sections, and you will make your observations on each of the squares depending on which bag you have. The bags will be
labeled bag one through six and you can write your observations down on the square with the same number.
You will have two to three minutes per bag so each student can have the opportunity to feel what is inside the bag and
make an observation.
TTW have their pre-folded recording sheets available. TSW have a few minutes with each bag, writing down their
observations. TTW then swap bags with next table, allowing students the opportunity to be able to observe each bag.

Explain:
As a group, TSW explain their observations of each bag. TTW record data of each observation. Once all groups have talked
about their observations, TTW ask what the students think is in each bag. TTW allow time for each group to answer.
Now that each table has had the opportunity to feel what is in each bag, we will now guess what we think is in each bag.
TTW ask which of their five senses the students used during their observation.
Again, which of our five senses have we used to make our observation?

Elaborate:
TTW pass out five bags to each table. TSW take turns observing and recording what they feel or smell. As a group, TSW
guess what they think is in each bag.

Evaluate/ Assessment:
As students make their observations with each bag, TTW informally assess students recording and organizing data.
TTW informally assess students ability to communicate observations and provide reasoning when they present each
observation to the class, as well as when they state what they think is in each bag.

Extend/ Enrichment:
Let students make their own mystery bag and let other students observe.

Closure / Culminating Activity:

TTW reveal objects in each bag, checking to see if the students guessed correctly.