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Earthlets: Dr. Xargle's Book of Earthlets and Seven Blind Mice


By: Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan
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Details

Type of Product:Book Chapter
Average Rating:
 based on 2 reviews
Publication Title:Picture-Perfect Science Lessons, Expanded 2nd Edition: Using Children's Books to Guide Inquiry, 3-6
Publication Date:6/15/2010
Pages:18
Grade Level:Elementary School
See Also:View all available chapters for this book
View the full version of this book
View the downloadable PDF version of this book


Description

Learners develop understandings of the differences between observations and inferences by analyzing Dr. Xargle's comical, yet misguided, attempts to teach his students about human babies. Learners then make observations and inferences of "mystery samples" collected from Planet Earth by Dr. Xargle. This free chapter includes several science lessons that use children's books to guide inquiry, along with several activity pages. Also included are the Table of Contents, the Preface, and the Index of the book.

For more information on how to implement Picture-Perfect Science in you classroom—including key reading strategies and NSES connections—download the free e-book of chapters 1 through 5, Why Read Picture Books in Science Class?


Ideas For Use

Lesson Objectives

• Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses.
• Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.
• Understand that objects have many observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color, temperature, and the ability to react with other substances. Those?properties can be measured using tools, such as rulers, balances, and thermometers.

Additional Info

Science Discipline: (mouse over for full classification)
Physical properties
Asking questions
Observing
Predicting
Using scientific equipment
Intended User Role:Curriculum Supervisor, Elementary-Level Educator, Informal Educator, New Teacher, Professional Development Provider, Teacher
Educational Issues:Achievement, Assessment of students, Classroom management, Curriculum, Inquiry learning, Instructional materials, Interdisciplinary, Learning theory, Teacher content knowledge, Teaching strategies

Technical

Resource Format:application/pdf
Size:1137 KB
Requirements:Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader


National Standards Correlation

This resource has 4 correlations with the National Standards.  
[VIEW CORRELATIONS]

This resource has 4 correlations with the National Standards.  
[HIDE CORRELATIONS]

  • Physical Science
    • Properties of objects and materials
      • Objects have many observable properties, including size, weight, shape, color, and temperature. (K-4)
      • The observable properties of objects can be measured using tools, such as rulers, balances, and thermometers. (K-4)
  • Science as Inquiry
    • Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
      • Employ simple equipment and tools to gather data and extend the senses. (K-4)
      • Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence.


Customer Reviews
Good practice for upper elementary
  Reviewed by: Lara (New Haven, CT) on March 7, 2011
  The authors clearly explain the difference between observations and inference. Making observations and inferences are important science process skills and understanding how the two contribute to scientific knowledge is critical to understanding the nature of science. The authors provide a variety of assessment tools that help students demonstrate such an understanding in both their own day-to-day experiences and in their science investigations. Because it is important for students to see the role and importance of both observations and inferences in scientists' work, it is critical for teachers to discuss this explicitly with students. Literature connections are especially useful for elementary teachers.

LOVE IT!
  Reviewed by: Wendy Ruchti (Pocatello, ID) on February 5, 2011
  I've used a modified version in 7th grade and my students just loved it. They thought the Earthlets book was funny (even though there were some that were too cool, the whole bodily functions humor got the better of them!). I used it to review observations/interpretations and what the difference is. We then could go back to a very memorable lesson each time we needed to discuss the difference. Many had heard the Seven Blind Mice story but this brought a new twist to what we were trying to look at that carried throughout the year. If students weren't being thorough or hadn't looked at data from a different perspective, I would say things like, "Are you sure you aren't thinking it is a spear when it is an elephant?" or if they weren't working together and collaborating to combine evidence, I'd say, "Make sure you are being the White Mouse". We even posted the Mouse Moral on the wall for a while!

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