For the last two days, we have done a nature of science activity in seventh grade. The students were given a variety of cubes. On five sides of each cube were written some bits of evidence. The students were to try to predict the pattern begun on the cube, and identify some possible solutions. As scientists, they were to think divergently, use background knowledge, and not be afraid to make mistakes as they came up with many possible answers for each cube. Our genius students did all of those things. Some of the cubes we gave them were:
- the first five Fibonacci numbers 0, 1, 1, 2, 3…
- 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Small towns in our area
- First five elements in Group 1 of the Periodic Table – H, Li, Na, K, Rb…
- Synonyms for glad
- Squares – 1, 4, 9, 16, 25…
- and more, about ten in all
One of the trickier cubes for the students was the one shown above. Our students struggled with it, according to Vanessa, “for half the period,” but they began to see a pattern emerge. Here is a video showing their discovery and subsequent teaching to the rest of the class.
I hope you’ll share with me a comment or link to what your brilliant students have been up to!
Photo: By Jenster181 Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0) License
Great scientific thinking activity! I can’t wait to share with the science teachers I work with. We have been working to find activities that extend their thinking. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Jana. I’m so glad you stopped by! My next project is 6 word novels! 🙂 Denise
LOVE this!!! I love how it took “half the class” to figure it out. What fun would it be if they got it right away. Working hard at a solution gives a great sense of pride (which could be felt through the great video!!!). A science and a math lesson – great work.
Thanks for sharing!
I’m feeling more willing to use more class time for discovery. It certainly makes learning happen when they really discover it on their own, doesn’t it?