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Science and Writing Writing Lab Reports Objective: To bridge the gap between elementary and middle school expectations, and incorporate a different genre of writing into the content areas.

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7 th Graders and Lab Reports StrengthsWeaknesses Making observations Data collection Designing bar graphs Forming a hypothesis Making predictions Understanding the difference between variables Writing procedures Measuring using a ruler Designing line graphs Writing conclusions based on fair testing practices Self-Questioning

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Writing Lab Reports Evaporation Experiment Variables Dependent: the measured variable We are going to measure the rate of evaporation on cup A & cup B. Independent: the one variable being tested (air currents, liquid density, types of liquid, amount of surface area) Controlled: constants (amount of liquid, location, height, temperature, size, light)

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Designing Procedures Using a How-To Model Transition words Simple but complete sentences Key points Tips/Shortcuts Freedom to design within the curriculum

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Exemplars of How-To Make a Complete Circuit How-To: Advanced How-To: Advanced How-To: Proficient How-To: Proficient How-To: Basic How-To: Basic How-To: Below Basic How-To: Below Basic

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Graphing Site Create your own graph- kid friendly! Create your own graph- kid friendly!

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Concluding Lab Reports Summary of Data Fair Testing Reflection of variables Honest reporting versus being right Conclusion Summation of outcome and fair testing Self-Questioning Nagging Questions Wondering Future experiments

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Photo Story Lab Conclusion Students can summarize the results of a lab while presenting their graphs.

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Adapting Lab Reports for Primary and Intermediate Students Primary Suggestions: Introduce lab report language Expose students to portions of the format Encourage discussion about fair testing Intermediate Suggestions: Produce one full lab report per unit

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Kid Friendly Lab Report Outline Sample Lab Report Format