Pottery quest
http://www.sciencenetlinks.com/lessons.cfm?DocID=290
A lesson plan for grades 6–8 Science
In this lesson, students explore pottery making form a technological perspective. The lessons in this series provide students with a context in which to compare present technology with that of earlier times. Reading about other civilizations can help illustrate the central role that different technologies play. Examining what life was like under different technological circumstances in the past can help students understand how modern technology has shaped their own lives. After students discuss the uses of modeling clay, they categorize them as either functional or decorative. Then, students explore the “History of Invention Timeline” and complete the student e-sheet. Once all students have a better understanding of pottery, the teacher engages them in a dialogue about their findings. Finally, students read more about the technology involved in making pottery and conclude the lesson with a class discussion. Science NetLinks provides student handouts, links to web resources, and a link to the second lesson in the series.
North Carolina Curriculum Alignment
Science (2005)
Grade 6
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
- Explain observations.
- Make inferences and predictions.
- Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
- Research.
- Gather and analyze data
- Visualize data.
- Disseminate findings to others.
- Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
- Scientific text.
- Articles.
- Events in the popular press.
- Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
- Objective 2.01: Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.
- Artifact or hardware.
- Methodology or technique.
- System of production.
- Social-technical system.
- Objective 2.02: Use information systems to:
- Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
- Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.
- Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
- Application of scientific principles.
- Risks and benefits.
- Constraints of design.
- Consistent testing protocols.
- Objective 2.01: Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.
Grade 7
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
- Explain observations.
- Make inferences and predictions.
- Develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
- Research.
- Gather and analyze data.
- Visualize data.
- Disseminate findings to others.
- Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
- Scientific text.
- Articles.
- Events in the popular press.
- Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
- Objective 2.01: Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.
- Artifact or hardware.
- Methodology or technique.
- System of production.
- Social-technical system.
- Objective 2.02: Use information systems to:
- Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
- Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.
- Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
- Application of scientific principles.
- Risks and benefits.
- Constraints of design.
- Consistent testing protocols.
- Objective 2.01: Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.
Grade 8
- Goal 1: The learner will design and conduct investigations to demonstrate an understanding of scientific inquiry.
- Objective 1.01: Identify and create questions and hypotheses that can be answered through scientific investigations.
- Objective 1.05: Analyze evidence to:
- explain observations.
- make inferences and predictions.
- develop the relationship between evidence and explanation.
- Objective 1.08: Use oral and written language to:
- Communicate findings.
- Defend conclusions of scientific investigations.
- Describe strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, and/or data.
- Objective 1.09: Use technologies and information systems to:
- Research.
- Gather and analyze data.
- Visualize data.
- Disseminate findings to others.
- Objective 1.10: Analyze and evaluate information from a scientifically literate viewpoint by reading, hearing, and/or viewing:
- Scientific text.
- Articles.
- Events in the popular press.
- Goal 2: The learner will demonstrate an understanding of technological design.
- Objective 2.01: Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.
- Artifact or hardware.
- Methodology or technique.
- System of production.
- Social-technical system.
- Objective 2.02: Use information systems to:
- Identify scientific needs, human needs, or problems that are subject to technological solution.
- Locate resources to obtain and test ideas.
- Objective 2.03: Evaluate technological designs for:
- Application of scientific principles.
- Risks and benefits.
- Constraints of design.
- Consistent testing protocols.
- Objective 2.01: Explore evidence that "technology" has many definitions.



