Part 1: Prepare for Safe Inquiry

Learning targets: I can make careful observations, identify hazards, ask testable questions, plan a fair test, and use evidence responsibly.

Success criteria: I can identify at least two hazards and describe a safe response. I can record observations without guesses. I can identify what changes, what is measured, and what stays the same. I can support a conclusion with evidence.

Directions: Read each question carefully. You may write, draw, or give an oral response to your teacher. Use complete thoughts when possible.

Vocabulary and Word Bank

observe: notice or measure using your senses or tools. infer: explain what you think based on observations. hazard: something that could cause harm. evidence: observations or data that support an idea. variable: a factor that can change. control: a factor kept the same. conclusion: a statement about what the evidence shows.

Useful words: measure, compare, test, record, protect, report, repeat, safe, unsafe, data, result

Part A: Observation or Inference?

Directions: Write O for observation or I for inference. Then explain one choice. An observation can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or measured. An inference is an explanation or guess.

Sentence frame: I classified statement number _____ as _____ because ________________________________.

Part B: Safety Scenarios

Directions: For each situation, identify the hazard, possible harm, and safest action. Never taste or touch an unknown material. Stop and report an unsafe situation.

Hazard: ____________________ Possible harm: ____________________

Safest action: ______________________________________________________________

Hazard: ____________________ Possible harm: ____________________

Safest action: ______________________________________________________________

Hazard: ____________________ Possible harm: ____________________

Safest action: ______________________________________________________________

Sentence frame: This action is responsible because it reduces the risk of ____________________.

Part 2: Investigate and Plan

Part C: Mystery Object Inquiry

Directions: Study the safe object or photograph. Record direct observations only. Do not write what you think the object is yet.

1. __________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________________

5. __________________________________________________________________________________

a. How or what could we measure to find out __________________________________________?

b. How or what could we measure to find out __________________________________________?

Inference: I infer that ____________________________________________________________.

Prediction: If we ____________________________________________________, then ________.

Part D: Fair-Test Planner

Directions: Choose a safe question about soil, water, weather, crops, seeds, or insulation. A fair test changes one factor, measures a result, and keeps other factors the same.

Focus question: ________________________________________________________________?

Prediction: If ______________________________________, then _______________________ because ______________________________________.

Independent variable—what will change: __________________________________________

Dependent variable—what will be measured or observed: ____________________________

Controlled variables—what will stay the same:

1. __________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________

Materials: _______________________________________________________________________

Safety concerns and precautions: __________________________________________________

1. __________________________________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________

3. __________________________________________________________________________________

4. __________________________________________________________________________________

Measure or observe: ____________________ Unit or description: ____________________

Trial 1: ____________________ Trial 2: ____________________ Trial 3: ____________________

Result or pattern noticed: ______________________________________________________________

Team roles: facilitator, recorder, materials manager, safety monitor, reporter. We will work respectfully by ________________________________________________.

Differentiation: Use the word bank, draw a plan, explain answers orally, use a bilingual partner, or ask for a partially completed procedure. Advanced learners may plan repeated trials, identify a source of uncertainty, compare two fair tests, or redesign the test for a farm, lake, forest, or machinery-safety setting.

Part 3: Claim-Evidence-Reasoning Exit Ticket

Claim: A responsible science investigation __________________________________________.

Evidence from today: ____________________________________________________________

Reasoning: This evidence supports my claim because __________________________________.

Teacher Answer Guide

Part A: 1 O—visible features; 2 I—an explanation not directly observed; 3 O—appearance and amount can be observed; 4 I—safety is not known from appearance; 5 O—sound can be heard; 6 I—a prediction or explanation about the machine.

Part B: Unknown liquid: chemical or biological hazard; possible burns, poisoning, or skin/eye injury; do not touch or smell, keep others away, and report it. Wet floor near electrical equipment: shock or electrocution hazard; avoid the area, do not touch the equipment, and report the spill immediately. Operating machinery: moving-part or struck-by hazard; stay outside the safety zone, follow posted instructions, and tell the teacher or operator.

Parts C–D: Accept responses that are observable, measurable, testable, and safe. A strong plan changes one independent variable, measures a dependent variable, names at least two controls, includes a numbered procedure, and identifies precautions. Accept oral, drawn, or written responses when the scientific meaning is clear.

Literacy connection: Students follow a multistep procedure and connect observations, variables, and results (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-8.3). Students state a claim, select evidence, and explain reasoning (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-8.1b/7).