Sampling rocks
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.php?DocID=110
A lesson plan for grades K–1 Science
The purpose of this Science NetLinks lesson is for students to learn about sampling through an investigation of rocks found in the schoolyard. In grades K-2, learning can begin that will eventually lead to students’ having a good grasp of everyday statistics.
In this lesson, students collect and analyze a sampling of rocks from the schoolyard. Students array the collected rocks by characteristics such as size, weight, and color, to see if any generalizations can be made about the types of rocks that can be found in the schoolyard. Students are introduced to the notion of a sample, and how the size and method of collection of a sample can bias findings.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 1
- Goal 2: The learner will make observations and use student-made rules to build an understanding of solid earth materials.
- Objective 2.01: Describe and sort a variety of earth materials based on their properties:
- Color.
- Hardness.
- Shape.
- Size.
- Objective 2.02: Describe rocks and other earth materials in more than one way, using student-made rules.
- Objective 2.01: Describe and sort a variety of earth materials based on their properties:
- Goal 3: The learner will make observations and conduct investigations to build an understanding of the properties and relationship of objects.
- Objective 3.02: Investigate several ways in which objects can be described, sorted or classified.
- Objective 3.03: Classify solids according to their properties:
- Color.
- Texture.
- Shape (ability to roll or stack).
- Ability to float or sink in water.
Kindergarten
- Goal 3: The learner will make observations and build an understanding of the properties of common objects.
- Objective 3.01: Observe and describe the properties of different kinds of objects (clay, wood, cloth, paper, other) and how they are used.
- Objective 3.02: Develop and use a vocabulary associated with the properties of materials:
- Color.
- Size.
- Shape.
- Texture.
- Objective 3.03: Describe how objects look, feel, smell, taste, and sound using their own senses.
- Objective 3.04: Observe that objects can be described and sorted by their properties.
- Goal 4: The learner will use appropriate tools and measurements to increase their ability to describe their world.
- Objective 4.03: Use nonstandard units of measure to describe and compare objects.
