During our first class, we read the book Bud Finds Her Gift, it is about observations. Our instructor put us into groups of 3 using our tree cookies. We then got a piece of chart paper on which we wrote numbers 1-6 on the left-hand side. She then handed out a box that was labeled with a number (ranging 1-6) and we could not see what the object was. As a group, we had to use our senses (sound, weight, touch) to come up with an answer on what we thought was in the box. At this point, we had to write our answer down beside the number that was on the piece of chart paper. We then passed the box to a different group and repeated this six times so we were able to guess for all six boxes.
Here is what the boxes looked like:
This is what our chart paper looked like:
Once everyone had their guesses, as a class, the teacher held up the first box, moved it around, and got people to share their answers. Once everyone had shared their thoughts, the teacher then opened the box and revealed what was inside. You would then repeat this process until all six objects were presented. In my cohort we all loved this activity. We thought it was so engaging, fun, and exciting.
Automatically I came up with an idea on what else you could do with this activity. My idea was to put objects in the boxes and have the students guess what the object is using different sounds, feelings, etc. Create this activity based on the morning radio show where they play “guess that sound” where the class can be put into teams and have to “call in” using a fake phone at the front of the classroom to make an educated guess on what the object/sound is. This could be a morning game where only one team gets to make one guess a day and then eventually the team who guesses the sound correctly gets to choose the game they play in gym, etc.
BC Science Connection:
This activity connects to the BC Curriculum Curricular Competencies in Questioning and Predicting, Processing and Analyzing Data and Information. As we used our senses to explore the mystery boxes that our professor provided, we were forming educated guesses based on evidence and prior knowledge we have. At the elementary school level, students are expected to demonstrate curiosity, make predictions, and communicate their thinking to the teacher and their peers. This activity supported all of those Curricular Competencies in a playful and an engaging way. This activity also supports collaboration as we had to justify our ideas and explain our reasoning in our small working groups and then in front of the class.
Reflection:
I really enjoyed this activity because it showed me that everything in science is so impactful when it is done in an inquiry-based and exploratory way. It is a lot more joyful than having a worksheet-based class. My extension idea of “Guess That Sound” game would continue to build observation, inference, and thoughtful reasoning in a motivating way. I will definitely include this in my future classroom as I think it will be so much fun but I also think it will build crucial skills not only in Science but in SEL (social emotional learning). You could do this with younger grades and ask “what emotion is this” with a poster.
My AHA Moment:
My AHA moment is when I realized observation is not a small introductory skill; it is the foundation of scientific thinking. Additionally, I realized that gaining these important skills like observation can start from an early age where it is fun and engaging. Yet, I could use this lesson for all ages and they would still have fun.