# data[].attributes.body
Topic: Earth Science
Target Grade (Ages):
Grade 5 (Ages10-11)
Grade 6 (Ages 11-12)
Grade 7 (Ages 12-13)
Grade 8 (Ages 13-14)
Skills:
Raising Questions, Problem solving, Planning investigation, Use of Data, Discussion, Recording & reporting, Teamwork, Independent Thinking
Lesson Overview:
This lesson is most suitable for middle school students as germs and personal hygiene are very important at this point in their lives. They should understand the effects germs can have on the human body, not only for themselves, but for other people including their classmates.

# data[].attributes.body
Students will be able to:

perform a science experiment using four potato slices

learn the role of a "control experiment" in scientific experimentation

learn how germs form

make predictions and record observations

learn the importance of good personal hygiene and washing hands

# data[].attributes.body
Germs

personal hygiene

health

experiment

control

potato

Link: Prezi Vocabulary Word Activity:
http://prezi.com/puthyihmsho9/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

# data[].attributes.headline
Pre-teach Resources (PDI Germ Wars Video)

# data[].attributes.subject
Pre-teach Resources (PDI Germ Wars Video)

# data[].attributes.body
To support struggling students you could use these simple starter prompts
·   I predict/guess that. . .

·   Based on my observations, I infer. . .

·   My hypothesis is. . .

# data[].attributes.body
Which potato had the most germs?
Which potato had the least?
Why would that be?
How close were your predictions?
How is control important in a science experiment?

# data[].attributes.body
Container Rubric - https://docs.google.com/a/nyit.edu/document/d/1bJh4ZlC13x3vN0d30-0MUdz5oS_qb10wpFP8_ChyzLc/edit?usp=sharing

Germ Experiment Rubric - https://docs.google.com/a/nyit.edu/document/d/1W1yIXXMvUcwr_2uPe0yk4CEEo4CviFptp-vwERlRXqQ/edit?usp=sharing

# data[].attributes.body
iPads- Can be used for students to take a picture (visual documentation) of before, during and after the experiment. This allows a student more time to analyze the changes across the weeks of this experiment. Students could also use the iPads to voice record their summaries if they struggle with writing or typing.

Laptops- Can be used to help students record their observations in a google document so that if they wanted to collaborate on the document outside of school they could.

Voki- Can be used to help students proof read their summaries of what they observed. For example, students would type up their summary in Microsoft word and then copy and paste what they typed into the Voki avatar and it will be read aloud so that students can hear what they wrote and make the necessary corrections. Once corrected they could have their voki avatar present their summaries. http://www.voki.com/

Voice Thread- Can be used when students are presenting their summaries. They could upload the summary and narrator over the text. They could also add pictures and graphics to explain their understanding of the experiment. http://voicethread.com/

Make Belief Comix- Can be used to allow students to present their summaries of the observation in a cartoon manner which could be more visually appealing then just regular text. http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/

# data[].attributes.body
This experiment was adapted from:
http://www.teacherstryscience.org/lp/germs-experiment

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The teacher will have some preparation prior to beginning this lesson. Potato's must be purchased and sliced into quarters so you end up with 4 slices of the potato. Each group will receive 1 potato, or 4 slices. The small group will also receive 4 plastic bags to place and seal each potato slice into following the experimentation aspect of the lesson.