This unit is unlike any other MAISA unit in that it is a hybrid unit, combining writing and science standards. The goal is to create a truly integrated unit that helps teachers accomplish both writing and science objectives simultaneously.
Writing
This is not a typical writing unit that takes students through the process of rehearsing, drafting, revising, and editing their writing. Instead, the focus will be writing to record, to question, to access prior knowledge, to predict and observe, to explain data and finally to share with others. Students will be scaffolded through discussing and writing about scientific inquiry as they navigate through scientific investigations. Students will be writing about each step of the process in Science Investigation Notebooks. Initially this will be done as a whole class, moving to small group work and finally to partnership work for those students ready for more independent application. At the conclusion of the study of sound (science area under study), teachers have the option to revisit what was taught in the Informational Writing: Personal Expertise unit and have students write text that teaches others what they learned about sound, as well as thinking, acting, and writing like scientists.
This unit specifically addresses the following 1st grade common core writing standards:
- W.1.2 Write informative/explanatory texts in which they name a topic, supply some facts about the topic, and provide some sense of closure.
- W.1.7 Participate in shared research and writing projects.
- W.1.8 With guidance and support from adults, recall information from experiences or gather information from provided sources to answer a question.
Science
In science, students will be learning to “Think and Act Like Scientists” through studying and applying a framework for scientific investigation and discourse. They will be following Van Andel Education Institute’s (VAEI) steps for engaging students in scientific inquiry while conducting investigations and/or participating in discourse. The focus for scientific investigation will be: Question, Knowledge Probe, Prediction, Investigation Plan, Observation, Data Analysis, Explanation, Evaluation, and Application. The unit will take teachers and students step-by-step through the process. For a more detailed explanation of each step, refer to resources discussed and/or included in the Resource Packet. Please note: Teachers may replace this scientific investigation framework with any scientific process that is included in their district’s science curriculum. The investigation organizer provided by Van Andel Education Institute is a framework from which to work and not a requirement for implementing this unit. Adapt, revise, and replace as needed.
It is highly recommended that prior to implementing this unit teacher familiarize themselves with the scientific investigation process. We suggest the following resource: Investigation Organizer Step Book – Level K-2 by Van Andel Education Institute Science Academy. It may be obtained at www.vai.org/vaei/science-academy or 333 Bostwick Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, 616-234-5528.
Additionally, students will be learning to “Think and Act Like Scientists” by studying components of one of the Next Generation Science Standards for First Grade, specifically:
Standard 1. Waves: Light and Sound
1-PS4-1. Plan and conduct investigations to provide evidence that vibrating materials can make sound and that sound can make materials vibrate.
1-PS4-4. Use tools and materials to design and build a device that uses light or sound to solve the problem of communicating over a distance.
