1)
Science Journals: Core Questions to Help Students Make Sense of
Maps
Show students this week’s map, point to the region circled
and ask, “What is happening here?” After some
discussion, show the shaded relief map, identify the region circled.
Ask students to consider open-ended questions like the following
whenever they look at a Journey North (or other) map:
-
What
do you notice? Describe any patterns you see.
-
Make
a general statement to describe what's happening.
-
Try
to explain what might have caused this pattern. Form a hypothesis
and record it your science journal.
See:
Core Questions to Help
Students Make Sense of Maps
2)
Scientific Methods: "Citizen Science" and Journey North
Show students the population map next. Ask, What does
it show? (The “population distribution” of the
United States.) How is this map similar to the map above? How
is it different? Why is it important to keep this map in mind when
interpreting Journey North maps? (See:
Citizen Science and Journey North: Thinking Carefully About Methods)
Source: U.S.
Census Bureau
3)
Inquiry Strategies: Thinking Like a Scientist
Scientists are "healthy skeptics." They continually question
their own and others' assumptions, data, investigation designs,
and results. Help students think skeptically about the map(s) being
discussed today. Point out that each
statement about this week’s migration map begins, “It
looks like…” ( eg. “It looks like many monarchs
travel down the Appalachian Mountains.”) Note the uncertainty
in the words the writer chose. Challenge students to 1) find evidence
that could help support each statement and 2) to pose an alternative
explanation. |
