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Hydromania's Scientific Method Unit
and Washington's Essential Academic Learning Requirements

The following chart travels through the Scientific Method Unit, tying it to the Washington Essential Academic Learning Requirements 2000 (this will link you to the State of Washington's Education Reform website) that are addressed by that unit. Sometimes only parts of a particular benchmark will be applicable to a Hydromania unit, but we thought it best to cite the entire benchmark for easier reference to these state goals. Please note also that because a lesson can be taught and expanded on at many levels of thoroughness, benchmarks were included assuming the most thorough coverage of the topic. Therefore, each teacher will want to review the listed benchmarks in order to see for her/himself which ones are in agreement with their plans. Hopefully you will find this to be a helpful and timesaving tool as you help students rise to the challenge of meeting these goals.

Curriculum Topic Essential Academic Learning Requirement Subtopic (if applicable)/
Grade 4 and 7 Benchmarks
Topic II:
Scientific Method 		Mathematics:
The student understands and applies the concepts and procedures of mathematics.
To meet this standard, the student will understand and apply concepts and procedures from number sense.		 Number and numeration:
  • Grade 4:
    > identify, compare, and order whole numbers and simple fractions.
  • Grade 7:
    > compare and order whole numbers, fractions, and decimals.
Computation:
  • Grade 4:
    > add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers.
  • Grade 7:
    > add, subtract, multiply, and divide non-negative fractions and decimals using rules for order of operation.
Mathematics:
The student understands and applies the concepts and procedures of mathematics.
To meet this standard, the student will understand and apply concepts and procedures from probability and statistics.		 Statistics:
  • Grade 4:
    > collect data in an organized way.
    > organize and display data in numerical and graphical forms such as tables, charts, pictographs, and bar graphs.
    > use different measures of central tendency such as "most often" and "middle" in describing a set of data.
  • Grade 7:
    > organize and display data in appropriate forms such as frequency tables, circle graphs, and stem-and-leaf graphs.
Prediction and inference:
  • Grade 4:
    > predict outcomes of simple activities and compare predictions to experimental results.
  • Grade 7:
    > predict outcomes of experiments and simulations and compare the predictions to experimental results.
Mathematics:
The student uses mathematical reasoning.
To meet this standard, the student will analyze information.
  • Grade 4:
    > interpret and compare information in familiar situations.
    > validate thinking using models, known facts, patterns, and relationships.
  • Grade 7:
    > interpret, compare, and contrast information from a variety of sources.
    > validate thinking and mathematical ideas using models, known facts, patterns, relationships, and counterexamples.
Mathematics:
The student uses mathematical reasoning.
To meet this standard, the student will predict results and make inferences.
  • Grade 4:
    > make conjectures and inferences based on analysis of familiar problem situations.
  • Grade 7:
    > make conjectures and inferences based on analysis of new problem situations.
Mathematics:
The student uses mathematical reasoning.
To meet this standard, the student will draw conclusions and verify results.
  • Grade 4:
    > test conjectures by finding examples to support or contradict them.
  • Grade 7:
    > test conjectures and inferences and explain why they are true or false.
Mathematics:
The student communicates knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.
To meet this standard, the student will gather information.
  • Grade 4:
    > follow a plan for collecting information.
  • Grade 7:
    > develop a plan for collecting information.
Mathematics:
The student communicates knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.
To meet this standard, the student will organize and interpret information.
  • Grade 4:
    > organize and clarify mathematical information in at least one way- reflecting, verbalizing, discussing, or writing.
  • Grade 7:
    > organize and clarify mathematical information by reflecting, verbalizing, discussing, or writing.
Mathematics:
The student communicates knowledge and understanding in both everyday and mathematical language.
To meet this standard, the student will represent and share information.
  • Grade 4:
    > express ideas using mathematical language and notation such as physical or pictorial models, tables, charts, graphs, or symbols.
    > express mathematical ideas to familiar people using everyday language.
  • Grade 7:
    > clearly and effectively express or present ideas using both everyday and mathematical language such as models, tables, charts, graphs, written reflection, or algebraic notation.
    > express mathematical ideas with clarity using both everyday and mathematical language appropriate to audience.
Mathematics:
The student understands how mathematical ideas connect within mathematics, to other subject areas, and to real-life situations.
To meet this standard, the student will relate mathematical concepts and procedures to other disciplines.
  • Grade 4:
    > use mathematical thinking and modeling in familiar situaitons in other disciplines.
  • Grade 7:
    > use mathematical thinking and modeling in other disciplines.
Science:
The student knows and applies the skills and processes of science and technology.
To meet this standard, the student will develop abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry.		 Questioning:
  • Grade 4:
    > ask questions about objects, organisms, and events in the environment.
  • Grade 7:
    > generate questions that can be answered through scientific investigations.
Designing and conducting investigations:
  • Grade 4:
    > plan and conduct simple investigations, using appropriate tools, measures, and safety rules.
  • Grade 7:
    > design, conduct, and evaluate scientific investigations, using appropriate equipment, mathematics, and safety procedures.
Explanation:
  • Grade 4:
    > use data to construct reasonable explanations.
  • Grade 7:
    > use evidence from scientific investigations to think critically and logically to develop descriptions, explanations, and predictions.
Communication:
  • Grade 4:
    > record and report observations, explanations, and conclusions using oral, written, and mathematical expression.
  • Grade 7:
    > communicate scientific procedures, investigations, and explanations orally, in writing, with computer-based technology, and in the language of mathematics.
Science:
The student understands the nature and contexts of science and technology.
To meet this standard, the student will understand the nature of scientific inquiry.		 Intellectual honesty:
  • Grade 4:
    > understand that all scientific observations should be reported accurately even when they contradict expectations.
  • Grade 7:
    > understand the operational and ethical traditions of science and technology such as skepticism, cooperation, intellectual honesty, and proprietary discovery.
Dealing with inconsistencies:
  • Grade 4:
    > explain why similar investigations may not produce similar results.
  • Grade 7:
    > provide more than one explanation for events or phenomena; defend or refute the explanations using evidence.
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