Grade 7 Science DLL: The Scientific Method
The Scientific Method
Learning Standards
Content Standard
Learners demonstrate understanding of the scientific method and its application in solving problems
Performance Standard
Learners shall be able to apply the scientific method in designing and conducting simple investigations
Learning Competency
Understanding and applying the scientific method to solve problems
Code: S7MT-Ia-1
Complete Lesson Plan
Learning Objectives
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Define the scientific method and its importance in scientific inquiry
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Identify and describe the steps of the scientific method
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Apply the scientific method to solve simple problems
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Develop critical thinking and observation skills
Lesson Procedures
motivation
Activity: Observation Challenge (5 minutes)
Show students a mysterious sealed box and ask:
- What do you think is inside?
- How can we find out?
- What questions come to mind?
This introduces the idea of scientific inquiry and curiosity.
presentation
Discussing the Scientific Method (15 minutes)
- Observation: Noticing something interesting or unusual
- Question: Asking what, why, or how about the observation
- Hypothesis: Making an educated guess (If... then... statement)
- Experimentation: Testing the hypothesis through controlled tests
- Data Collection: Gathering and recording results
- Analysis: Examining the data to find patterns
- Conclusion: Determining if the hypothesis was supported or not
Present real-world examples:
- Why do plants grow toward sunlight?
- What makes bread rise?
- How do birds know when to migrate?
generalization
Summary and Key Takeaways (5 minutes)
- The scientific method is a systematic way to investigate questions
- It involves observation, questioning, hypothesizing, experimenting, and concluding
- Scientists use this method to ensure reliable and valid results
- We can apply the scientific method to solve everyday problems
guided practice
Activity: Identifying the Steps (10 minutes)
Provide students with a sample scenario:
Maria noticed that her plant near the window grew faster than the one in the corner. She wondered if sunlight affects plant growth. She placed two identical plants in different locations—one in sunlight, one in shade—and watered them equally for two weeks. The plant in sunlight grew 5 cm taller.
Students identify each step of the scientific method in the scenario.
independent practice
Activity: Design Your Own Experiment (12 minutes)
Students work in pairs to:
- Think of a question about something they observe daily
- Formulate a hypothesis
- Design a simple experiment to test it
- Present their plan to the class
preliminary activities
Prayer and Greetings (2 minutes)
Attendance Check (1 minute)
Review of Previous Lesson (3 minutes) Recall the importance of science in everyday life.
Assessment
answers
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Observation - noticing something that sparks curiosity or a question
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A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction that can be tested, often written as an 'If... then...' statement
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Experimentation is important because it provides evidence to support or refute the hypothesis through controlled testing
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Example: Does the amount of water affect how fast a plant grows?
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You should analyze why it wasn't supported, revise your hypothesis, and conduct further experiments. Science progresses through testing and refining ideas
questions
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What is the first step in the scientific method?
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What is a hypothesis?
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Why is experimentation important in the scientific method?
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Give an example of a testable question.
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What should you do if your hypothesis is not supported by your experiment?
Materials & Resources
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Visual aids showing scientific method steps
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Mysterious sealed box for motivation activity
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Sample scenarios handout
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Science notebooks
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Whiteboard and markers
remarks
Students showed great engagement during the observation challenge. Most students were able to identify the steps of the scientific method in the guided practice. Some students needed additional support in formulating testable hypotheses.
assignment
Homework Assignment:
- Choose one observation from your daily life
- Write a testable question about it
- Formulate a hypothesis
- Design a simple experiment you could conduct at home
- Write your plan in your science notebook
Be ready to share your experiment plan in the next class.
subject matter
Topic: The Scientific Method
Key Concepts:
- Observation and questioning
- Hypothesis formulation
- Experimentation and data collection
- Analysis and conclusion
- Scientific inquiry process
Reference Materials:
Science 7 Learner's Material, pp. 12-25
Materials Needed:
Visual aids of scientific method steps, sample scenarios, worksheet