I wonder what a scientific journal is and how it works...

Lesson Overview:

The students will create their own scientific journals. Students at any age can begin to learn the importance of keeping clear records and pictures of their observations, of recording information and observation for later use, and the necessity of details when making observations. Future lessons, daily observations, and results from activities can all be kept together within this journal. Teachers can direct their students to look for specific changes or details and can focus writing skills as they wish throughout the lessons.

Subject Area Focus: Science & Language Arts

Objectives:

  1. learn how to record observations in a scientific manner.
  2. realize the importance of detail and accuracy
  3. begin to make predictions and hypotheses using materials given.

Materials:

A notebook for each student, or the provided data/ journal sheet.
<<Click here to print out a copy of this journal sheet.>>

Procedure:

  1. The teacher will make sure that each student has a notebook or a copy of the provided journal sheet.
  2. Teachers may wish to talk to their students about what a scientific journal is, the importance of detail, and how and when the journals will be used at this time. If possible teachers can show the sample journal located on the Students tab. It would also be beneficial to find entries to display from an authentic/professional scientific journal.
  3. Have students observe the insect eggs. Ask them what they see and what they think will happen in the next few days. They can draw what they see and write about what it is they think they are seeing and why they believe that. Some features to observe could be:
    • color
    • movements/motion
    • behavior
    • changes
    • resemblance to other objects (i.e., looks like a...)
    • texture
    • distinctive developmental features
    • questions and speculations about future changes or events
    • appetite
    • frass count
  4. The journal sheet provided includes some key features to observe. It is up to the teacher how many of these details the students should include in their journals.
  5. Teachers may want the students to choose one or two traits they will track, or the teacher can decide which traits to observe and which to leave out, depending on the needs of the classroom.
  6. Teachers can inform students of the resources such as; growth chart table, life cycle explainations and the interactive anatomy map linked under the All About Manduca tab.

Journal Prompt:

What do you think you are seeing?

Describe what you see in words and drawings, and what you think will happen over the next few days. Include reasons for your predictions and write them in your journal.

What characteristics/traits do you think will be important to track over the next few weeks?