Grade Levels: K-3

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This lesson accompanies the BrainPOP Jr. topic Making Observations, and supports the standard of making observations to construct an evidence-based account for natural phenomena. Students demonstrate understanding through a variety of projects.

Step 1: ACTIVATE PRIOR KNOWLEDGE

Prompt students to observe their surroundings. Ask:

  • What do you notice about our classroom? Describe what you see using as many details as you can think of.

Step 2: BUILD KNOWLEDGE

  • Play the Making Observations movie.  
  • Click the pause button each time a question appears in Annie’s Notebook and discuss it as a class. Then play to see how Annie answers it. 

TIP: The pause button turns red to remind you to pause. 

Step 3: APPLY and ASSESS

Students take the Easy Quiz or Hard Quiz, demonstrating what they learned about the topic while applying essential literacy skills.

Step 4: DEEPEN and EXTEND

Students express what they learned about making observations while practicing essential literacy skills with one or more of the following activities. Differentiate by assigning ones that meet individual student or grade-level needs.

    • Draw About It: Observe a person. Draw your observations. Include as many details as you can. 
    • Activity: Observe the weather for five days and record your observations.  
    • Talk About It: Identify different ways to observe a plant.  
    • Write About It: Observe something you eat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Record your observations. Be sure to use all five senses.

More to Explore 

Be a Scientist Unit: Continue to build understanding around the steps of scientific investigations by exploring more BrainPOP Jr. topics.

Teacher Support Resources:

Lesson Plan Common Core State Standards Alignments