Lesson Plan #2- Observation and Hypothesis

Teacher Candidate: Hailey Sheak

Learning Targets/Objectives:
The fourth-grade students will create a hypothesis for an experiment with a writing entry after
experiencing how to observe and make a prediction.

Assessment Approaches: Evidence:

Prerequisites:
What is the scientific method? (Information from lesson prior: introduction of the scientific
method)
Key Vocabulary:
1. Scientific Method- a series of steps for investigating a question or
solving a problem.
2. Observation- what is observed using the five senses of taste, touch,
smell, sound, and sight.
3. Hypothesis- a prediction about what is going to happen that is proven or
disproven through an experiment.
4. Experiment- testing the hypothesis through a planned series of actions to
learn an outcome.
5. Data Collection- what mathematical information is gained through the
experiment to help back up what is discovered through the test.
6. Conclusion- a final statement of the information found from conducting
the experiment.
7. Sharing data- telling others about the discoveries of what was found and
communicating the information to others
8. Fact- a statement that can be proven true
Content/Facts:
1. Scientific Method- a series of steps for investigating a question or
solving a problem.
- This lesson is focusing on observation and hypothesis, but all the areas of the scientific
method will be noted with how it connects to these areas.
 2. Observation- what is observed using the five senses of taste, touch,
smell, sound, and sight.
3. Hypothesis- a prediction about what is going to happen that is proven or
disproven through an experiment.
4. Experiment- testing the hypothesis through a planned series of actions to
learn an outcome.
5. Data Collection- what mathematical information is gained through the
experiment to help back up what is discovered through the test.
6. Conclusion- a final statement of the information found from conducting
the experiment.
7. Sharing data- telling others about the discoveries of what was found and
communicating the information to others
8. Fact- a statement that can be proven true

Anticipatory Set
1. Ask the students, “Have you ever observed something? What do we use when
observing?” The teacher will then take the answers and make a conclusion of how we
use our five senses when observing.
2. “First, we are going to use our sense of sight and hearing as we read aloud.” Teacher
will call students to an area and then read The Five Senses.
3. After reading, students will go back to their seats.

Development/Teaching Approaches
1. Students will first work on their observation skills through an observation activity
highlighting the importance of using our five senses to observe.
2. The teacher will set up cups with food dye and water for a water rainbow. Every other
cup has water and they are the three primary colors of red, blue, and yellow. In between
the cups of dyed water are empty cups. Then there are paper towels that will be placed
in one cup and out to the one next to it.
3. The teacher will explain the setup, “Today we will use our senses to observe what is
happening and make a hypothesis based on what we observe.”
4. Students are going to write down on a guided notes sheet what they hear, smell, see,
taste, and touch. The teacher will remind students to only write what they can. Students
can not taste the water, so they will write that they are not allowed to taste anything.
5. Then the teacher will tell the students how the experiment will be conducted by placing
paper towels in the cups across the empty and filled ones.
6. As a class, the students will brainstorm ideas about what a hypothesis is by doing a turn
and talk. They can recall things from the day before and use notes as needed. Then the
students will share ideas as a class out loud and the teacher will give students the final
definition of a hypothesis. This is a guess or prediction that can be tested through an
experiment.
7. Then students will then work on what a hypothesis is by making predictions about what
they think is going to happen with the rainbow paper towels.
 8. Students will write down different ideas that they might have, but then should pick one
to write about and test.
Closure/Summarizing Strategies:

1. Students will be given an exit ticket that asks what they think is going to happen. After
they choose and write one, the teacher will collect the exit tickets and place the paper
towels at the end of the day to be displayed when they get there the next day.
2. For morning work the next day, students will check their predictions and compare them
to the actual results. They will write if they were correct and incorrect and how the
results were the same or different than what they thought was going to happen.

Accommodations/Differentiation:
- Students can have time for brain breaks about mid way through for those students who
need extra support with attention spans.

Materials/Resources:

Introduction Book:

Guided Notes:
Visual:
Water Rainbow Organizer:

Exit ticket:
“My hypothesis” box on the graphic organizer above will be filled out as an exit ticket after the
lesson.
Checklist for Exit Ticket:
Student Name: Yes No

Completed by creating a
prediction of what will
happen with the food dyed
water and paper towels

Reflective Response:
Report of Student Learning Target/Objectives Proficiency Levels

Remediation Plan (if applicable)

Personal Reflection Questions

Additional reflection/thoughts