Bean Bag Conversation
NetForum - Message Replies
Forum: Bean Bag Conversation
Topic: Designing New Experiments
Topic Posted by: Ingid N. AllardiOrganization: Potter Road Elementary School
Date Posted: Wed Oct 28 10:18:34 US/Eastern 1998
Topic Description: How to alter the bean experiment to meet the needs/interests of your own students.
Original Message:
Posted by: lynn jefferys
Organization:Orchard Elementary School of Science
Date posted: Thu Nov 1 0:33:10 2001
Subject: beginning a bean bag experiment
Message:
I am the enrichment mathematics teacher with a mathematics lab. My focus group of students for our bean adventure were 5th graders who had just finished reading "Seedfolks". This was a perfect tie to the adventure. The students did an exceptional job reminding me of the scientific method and wanted very much to work within that framework. Because they had great concerns with having too many variables, they finally decided on the one variable of light. They were anxious to have all other aspects as constants. They 'planted' the beans on Monday afternoon...now we will see! I just know that this straightforward experiment will generate several followup experiments and that will please me just fine!!!
Reply:
Subject: bean experiment
Reply Posted by: Lynn
Date Posted: Sun Dec 2 20:12:02 2001
Message:
Well, we have conducted the experiment and guess what??!! The seeds in the two pots in the closet sprouted before the seeds in the two pots on the window sill. It was wonderful. The scientific thinking that had to go on, since all but two students hopothesized that the seeds with light from the window and the overhead lights would sprout first. Now, we have more experiments to do. The students have many ideas for us to choose from. Perhaps we can complete them all!
Workshop Discussion
