Lesson 2

Collect Pet Data

Est. Class Sessions: 2–3

Developing the Lesson

Part 1: Draw the Picture

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If the majority of students in the class do not have pets, change the lab to collect data on the types of pets students would like to have. It is important that every child have a stake in the data collection.

Ask questions to survey students about the types of pets they have.

For example, ask:

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  • How many students have dogs?
  • How many students have cats?

Ask students to make comparisons about the numbers of hands raised.

Then ask:

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  • What seems to be the most common pet?
  • What pet seems to be the least common?
  • About how many students seem not to have pets?

Tell students that they just did an informal investigation about the number and kind of pets in the class. Spark suggestions about how to set up a more formal investigation.

Ask:

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  • How can we keep a record of the different kinds of pets the class has? Or, how many students have each kind?
  • How can we show what we find out so our information is clear to other people?

Lead the discussion to the idea that we can collect and record data in a data table and we can graph the data. These are tools students have used in previous investigations to solve problems. Remind them of the TIMS Laboratory Method.

Once you are certain students understand the steps involved, ask them to draw a picture of the investigation on the Draw section of the Pets Lab pages in the Student Activity Book. For example, a picture might show a house with pets inside or simply a variety of animals.

Adventure Book:
Student Activity Book: 451
Answers
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SAB_Mini
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Master: