Student Sheet 2.1: K-W-L Student Sheet 2.2 Evidence or Opinion

1. Student Sheet 2.1: K-W-LStudent Sheet 2.2 Evidence or Opinion Lesson 2: The Garden Problem • Have you ever grown a garden, or known someone who has? • Why do people have gardens? Challenge: Why won’t plants grow in the school garden? Garden Scenario Introduction: Vocabulary: Celsius (°C), data, evidence, observation, opinion Materials: √ Procedure: √ Data: Analysis: AQ 1, AQ 2, AQ 3,

2. Introduction It was the beginning of the school year. Chris was nervous about starting at a new school. His first class turned out to be science. His science teacher, Ms. Clayson, told the class that they would begin the year by trying to solve a problem with the school garden. Most of the garden plants were dying, even though they had been planted recently.

3. KWL Analyzing the Garden Problem Before the Reading After the Reading What I want know about the garden WhatI know about the garden What I learned about the garden There is a garden on school property There is a problem with the garden New plants died after they were planted The science class is going to study the garden

4. Student Sheet 2.2 Evidence or Opinion Statement Evidence Opinion Reason 1. observed that the soil felt dry and sandy Evidence based on direct observation X 2. Ms. Clayson is sure that plants can grow and survive in the school garden. Opinion without support; no plants have survived yet X Evidence based on limited measurements (5 days) 3. The average temperature in the garden is 21°C (70°F). X Opinion; one parent states this opinion but does not provide measureable evidence. 4. The old farm used up everything in the soil. X Opinion without factual support; some people prefer other plants 5. The best plants for a garden are flowers. X

5. Statement Evidence Opinion Reason Evidence based on limited measurements (5 days) 6. Based on the class data, there is enough sunlight in the garden for most plants to grow. X 7. The soil next door looks different from the garden soil. Evidence based on direct observation X 8. A student points out that the dry soil means the soil doesn’t have enough water for plants to grow Opinion; likely to be true for some plants, but not based on particular plant requirements vs. measurements of soil X

6. Analysis Question 1a and 1b The reading gave evidence and opinions about the garden. Complete Student Sheet 2.2, “Evidence or Opinion?” b. What is the difference between scientific evidence and an opinion? Scientific evidence is unbiased data or information that is gathered by direct observation and is reproducible, meaning that someone else could gather similar data in similar circumstances. In some cases, reputable sources can provide such evidence, since it is assumed that the evidence is independently reproducible. Opinion is the view someone takes about a certain issue based on his or her own judgment, often without the support of any factual evidence. An informed opinion may be based on evidence; however, another person may have a different opinion based on the same evidence.

7. Analysis Question 2 Your aunt tells you that she gets cold when the temperature falls below 60 degrees. Does she mean degrees Celsius or degrees Fahrenheit? How do you know? She is referring to degrees Fahrenheit. If she were referring to degrees Celsius, the temperature would be over 20 degrees higher than normal human body temperature (too hot for someone to even survive).

8. Scoring Guide LEVELDESCRIPTION Level 4 Student accomplishes Level 3 and goes beyond in some Above and beyond significant way, such as: questioning or justifying the source, validity, and/or quantity of evidence. Level 3 Student identifies key evidence with the appropriate facts, data and Complete and correct observations. Level 2 Student includes some, but not all, relevant evidence Almost there BUT student omits key evidence OR provides an insufficient number of facts, data, and observations. Level 1 Student states opinion as facts On your way OR student uses incorrect or irrelevant evidence. Level 0 Student’s response is missing, illegible, or irrelevant. X Student had no opportunity to respond.

9. Analysis Question 3 Why do you think plants won’t grow in the garden at Chris’s school? Support your ideas with evidence from the reading.

10. Level 3 Response I think that the problem with the garden is that there is not enough water. The soil felt dry and sandy to the class. Chris saw someone watering the plants next door and they looked healthy. There is no evidence that anyone watered the plants in the garden before. The class observed that there is enough sun. One of the parents thinks the soil is good, but that is just an opinion.