Scientific Organization and Sequencingsc010108

Scientific Organization and Sequencingsc010108

Scientific Organization and SequencingSC010108

Unit 1: Properties of Objects

Lesson 8: Mystery Objects

Big Ideas of the Lesson

  • The five senses are touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing.
  • Children can learn about the world by using their senses.
  • Properties are words that describe objects.

Abstract

Throughout this unit children have learned to observe, describe, and classifyobjects based on observable, physical properties. They use this knowledge for the culminating activity to select an object for the Mystery Box and write a riddle describing the properties of the object.

Grade Level Context Expectation(s)

Children will:

  • demonstrate the ability to sort objects according to observable attributes such as color, shape, size, sinking, or floating (P.PM.01.11).
  • plan and conduct simpleinvestigations to observe and determine the properties of various objects (S.IP.01.13).

Key Concept(s)

attribute/property

material/object

observable

size/shape/color/texture

Instructional Resources

Equipment/Manipulative

Brown paper bag (1 per child)

Mystery Box (1)

Pencils (1 per child)

Student Resource

Hewitt, Sally. Amazing Materials. New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.

---. Hear This! New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.

---. Look Here! New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.

---. Smell It! New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.

---. Tastes Good! New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.

---. Touch That! New York: Crabtree Publishing, 2008.

Kessler, Dawn, and Claudia Douglass. Supplemental Materials (SC01010801.doc). Teacher-made materials. Waterford, MI: Oakland Schools, 2008.

Teacher Resource

Calmenson, Stephanie. What Am I? Very First Riddles. New York: Harper Trophy, 1989.

Kessler, Dawn, and Claudia Douglass. First Grade Unit 1 Teacher Background (SC010100TB.doc). Teacher-made material. Waterford, MI: Oakland Schools, 2008.

Sequence of Activities

Advance Preparation: This activity needs to be done individually with each child. Additional assistance is suggested either from adults or older students. Find and decorate a large Mystery Box to hold the mystery bags.

  1. To introduce this lesson, read the book,What Am I? Very First Riddles to the children. Explain to the children that just like in the book they are going to select an object and write a riddle.
  1. Arrange for volunteers to work individually with each child. Have children write their name on a brown paper bag. Ask each child to pick an object from the room. Do not let others see the object.
  1. The child and volunteer should use the following questions to describe the properties of the object before it gets sealed in the bag.

What is the color, size, and shape of the object?

What does it feel like?

Does it have a smell or odor?

Does it have a flavor?

Does it make a sound or noise?

Is a magnet attracted to it?

Does it sink or float in the water?

What material is it made from?

Can it bend, break, or change its shape?

Is it a solid, liquid, or gas?

  1. Give each child a “Mystery Object” Student Page and a pencil. Depending on the ability of the child, the teacher/volunteer may take dictation or have the child do the writing. Use the following format. [Note: The volunteers will need to know what descriptors go with each sentence on the Student Page.]

I am ____and ____ (color, size, shape, texture, scent, flavor, and sound).

I am made of ____ (material).

I ____ in the water (sink or float).

I ______(am/am not) attracted to a magnet.

I can ____ (bend, break, change my shape).

I am a ____(solid, liquid, or gas).

What am I?

  1. Put the object into the bag and seal it. Attach the riddle to the bag and place it in the Mystery Box.
  1. Arrange the children in small groups. One at a time, have them choose a mystery bag and bring it back to the group. If the children are able, have them read the riddle on the bag and allow them all to guess what is in the bag. The bag may be carefully opened to determine its true contents.

Assessment

Assess the children by evaluating their ability to describe the properties of their object.

Application Beyond School

Children can share their riddles with their family and make up new ones.

Connections

Social Studies

Children can connect classification of objects to categorization of people.

The Oakland Schools Curriculum Page 1of 3

scope.oakland.k12.mi.usJuly 1, 2009

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