Science lesson plan 路 3rd grade (Year 4 in England) 路 30 minutes
Reading bar charts of results
Working scientifically
CCSS NGSS.SEP 4CCSS NGSS.3-ESS2-1England: KS2 Y3鈥揧4 Working scientifically
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Reading bar charts of results.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Reading scales and thermometers
Leads to: Reading tables and line graphs
Materials: Simple equipment for a fair test, Results table template, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up 路 4 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Reading scales and thermometers). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
Hook 路 3 min
- Show a simple experiment with one thing changed and ask what makes it a fair test.
- Share the objective: Reading bar charts of results. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it 路 7 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Model one question from the student sheet, thinking aloud.
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice 路 6 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
You do: independent practice 路 7 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 6 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket 路 3 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Reading scales and thermometers.
- Use concrete materials: simple equipment for a fair test.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Move on to: Reading tables and line graphs.
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-3.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder