Examples of Using Thinking Tools for Science Class

Here is a rist of examples of using thinking tools for science class.

Examples of Using a Single Thinking Tools

4th grade・used for any subjects

This thinking tool idea using webbing can be used for any unit.

https://gyazo.com/c32507b7ee3a37e4565c7737fe09e738

At the beginning of each unit, we recommend using the thinking tool "webbing" to allow children to brainstorm and visualize their thoughts based on the unit title.

By doing so, teachers can acknowledge the children's understanding of the unit through their submissions.

After the brainstorming activity, teachers can switch to other tools such as Y-chart or X-chart to classify their ideas, or utilize the answer-sharing function to encourage children to discover new insights and ideas with their peers.

Analysis Chart

4th grade・Water's Journey

During science experiments, information analysis charts are useful.

https://gyazo.com/1511bc59ed5b718d3f34dea6aafdddf3

During science experiments, it is useful to use analysis charts to have students input their predictions on procedure and the results.

Students can also use their devices to take photos or videos during the experiment and input the data as results, which can then be used for discussion and analysis to complete a worksheet.

If the teacher enables student communication, students can work in groups and take on different roles in the experiment.

When using Shared Notes, you can also assign a chart to each seat or group, allowing students to input their experiment results for easier data collection and analysis.

Venn Diagram, Y/X/W chart, PMI/KWL

7th grade・ Animals and Plants

Multiple thinking tools is useful to classify animals and plants.

By letting students choose which thinking tool to use, you can prompt them to consider the criteria for classification such as "what characteristics are appropriate to classify without omissions and overlaps?"

2 Axes Chart

4th grade・Trapped Air and Water

2 Axes Chart would help students to display the results based on the two variables.

For example, while noting the results of the syringe air cannon experiment, students mentioned that the pushing speed AND length of the pushing stick can vary, making it difficult to understand the results. Therefore, the teacher decided to use a 2 Axes Chart to make the presentation of the results clearer and more comprehensible.

https://gyazo.com/11ae74c4e8d8a99ee1e66be9ef24c1f8

Candy Chart

4th grade・Trapped Air and Water

Using Candy Chart as a visual aid can help students making predictions during experiment.

https://gyazo.com/78d983ffa85ca90571155b71be05b824

In the 4th grade, it is important to focus on relationships using scientific thinking. Therefore, we recommend using Candy Chart to help students output predictions along with their reasons and evidence.

Additionally, by providing a rubric, students can become more aware of the key points and criteria that they should focus on during the activity.

Y Chart is useful for classification and analysis.

For example, students can classify their results, conclusion and analysis explanations to discuss about the experiment based on our findings.

https://gyazo.com/6e8d9cf1b580f474fded965e9eba3859

For conclusion, the teacher had students write the answers to the study questions that were set for the unit. Students also inserted photos, videos, and tables to support their conclusions based on the results of their experiments. Additionally, they wrote explanatory texts to justify their claims with the evidence provided.

As a means to foster logical thinking skills, the triangle logic model is used as a reference to design our learning materials accordingly.

4th grade・Warming of Objects

Here is an example of using Y Chart to summarize the unit.

When summarizing the unit, Y Chart provided both verbal and visual representations to demonstrate the heating patterns of air, water, and metal.

https://gyazo.com/ec2d9945d13a6cafa4b96679d28e38ac

In this case, the teacher proceeded with the lesson by planning for students to create their own Y Charts in 25 minutes, share their answers for 5 minutes, and then spend another 5 minutes improving their Y Charts.

8th grade・Chemical Reactions and Atoms/Molecules

Classification using Y Chart is also helpful for introduction.

https://gyazo.com/e98a9b2fcde5bf78a47c72c82f2fdbde

The activity of classifying substances (elements, compounds, and mixtures) is an effective way to introduce the topic.

First, students will be asked to classify substances by themselves. Then, a discussion about each category will be conducted to provide a better understanding of the characteristics of each category. Finally, the students will classify the substances again using this learning.

Pyramid Chart

8th grade・The Mechanism of the Motors

By using LoiLoNote, students can create an interactive notebook that demonstrates movements, which cannot be achieved with a regular paper notebook.

For instance, one of the topics covered in 10th grade is "The mechanism of the motor". While students may show interest in making a clip motor, many struggle to understand its mechanism. Therefore, using LoiLo Note which can demonstrates the motor's movement can be helpful for students to learn visually.

https://gyazo.com/8f42dfa89ac18af590feefb8ff54ae8e

Furthermore, by using a Pyramid Chart, it is possible to structure knowledge in a systematic and organized manner.

For example, the main goal of this lesson was to enable students to explain the mechanism of the motor in their own words. The teacher used a Pyramid chart to build up basic concepts from the bottom and work towards the main goal at the top.

By structuring knowledge in this way, students were able to break down the topic into smaller parts and identify where they were struggling. This helped them move from a vague sense of confusion to a concrete understanding of which specific parts they needed to focus on.

9th grade・The Continuity of Life

After learning about the relationships between organisms in food chains, Pyramid Chart can be used to study the environmental changes that occur due to fluctuations in the populations of these organisms.

https://gyazo.com/4ef13c81e6d3e277e99dfff6b058768c

Students can use copies or deletions of cards representing plants, goats, and lions to consider changes in numbers.

11th grade Biology・Photosynthesis (can also be used for other subjects, units, or schools)

Pyramid Chart is useful for presentation.

In this case, the various processes of photosynthesis were summarized using a Pyramid Chart.

https://gyazo.com/e77580c03fcda7b9a1add4f32ecdacf8

An Example of How to make Presentation Using Pyramid Chart

1. Classification: The students were instructed to categorize important terms related to photosynthesis by placing them on cards at the bottom layer.

2. Grouping the Words: Next, they identified themes or groups from these words and titled these groups, placing these titles in the second layer.

3. Write a Conclusion: Drawing from the classified words and their groups, they then composed a conclusion, which they put at the top of the structure.

4. Presentation: Utilizing this organized chart, the students then presented their findings to the class.

Data Chart

5th grade・The Function of a Floating River

Data chart is useful for comparison

In this case, students compared the state of a river from its upper reaches to its middle and lower reaches using a map application and summarized the data on a Data Chart.

https://gyazo.com/e588a019028b212622c2635c772980ca

By comparing the river width and the shape and size of stones on the riverbed, students were able to deepen their understanding of how erosion and transportation, among other functions of water, work in each area.

Fishbone Diagram

8th grade・The Structure and Function of Living Organisms

Using Fishbone Diagram, students summarized the sensory organs in the unit about the structure and function of the living body.

https://gyazo.com/3a0876443d5fe946baf549f5d7364500

This allowed students to organize the differences in stimuli received by the sensory organs.

Jellyfish Chart

4th grade・Weather and Temperature

Jellyfish Chart is a great way to gather and organize information about a topic, and can lead to new new insights and ideas.

For instance, Jellyfish Chart was used as a learning tool for students to conduct their own research on the characteristics of a "Hyakuyobako" (traditional Japanese box used for temperature observation).

https://gyazo.com/1320c7e72eb884775408d70e1aebdf54

For the five tentacles, the teacher asked students to include four topics of essential characteristics and one piece of information they discovered through their own research.

By doing this, the information gathered by the students is different from each other, and when they share their answers after submission, it becomes an opportunity for them to encounter new knowledge about the Hyakuyobako.

8th grade・Chemical Reactions and Atoms/Molecules

In this case, Jellyfish Chart was used to summarize the results of the experiment on the reduction of copper oxide.

https://gyazo.com/0b363c424d26b2f08b452511a86d401b

By selecting whether a reaction occurred or not, students were able to consider what kind of reaction occurred and why, using chemical reaction formulas and other tools.

Examples of Using a Multiple Thinking Tools

Rake Chart＋ Jellyfish Chart

Middle School Science/High School Physics: Laws of Motion - Force Equilibrium

The concept of equilibrium of forces was summarized using the Rake Chart and Jellyfish Chart.

https://gyazo.com/e9d7c31e16f07b2359bc927187917f19

Flow of the Lesson

1. The teacher explains the example problems of equilibrium of forces.

Instead of simply copying the blackboard, students create a step-by-step problem-solving process on Rake Chart and take note of important points on Jellyfish Charts.

2. Students work on problem exercises using the thinking tools they have created.

3. During this problem-solving process, they revise their thinking tools and submit them again for multiple times.

Through this process of revising/correcting their thinking tools, students can visualize their thought process and acknowledge the points they understood.

The act of simply copying the board without understanding, which many students who struggle with science subjects tend to do, is greatly reduced. Furthermore, students who are prone to careless mistakes can achieve a more thorough and deeper learning experience.

Data Chart→Free-form Chart

7th grade・ Animals and Plants

The characteristics of animals and plants were summarized in a Data Chart.

Based on the information in the chart, a free-form chart was used to create a tree diagram.