Skip to content

Nine-lesson phenomenon-driven sequence: introduce phenomenon, observe, question, experiment, share data, read, revise model, extend

Design · All designs
Evidence · no claims cited

Description

The guide sketches a nine-lesson sequence (approximately 45 minutes each) driven by a single phenomenon: why some playground surfaces are hotter than others. Students read an engaging narrative, record initial ideas in journals, make playground observations, narrow a testable question, design and conduct experiments, share and argue over data, read with a need to know, revise a class consensus model, and design engineering solutions. The guide notes "the entire set of lessons are driven by the single phenomenon."

Design Implications

Context

Requirements

  • A puzzling everyday phenomenon that can be explained if students master the focal science concepts

Constraints

  • Lessons 1-3 are appropriate for grades K-6; Lessons 4-9 are most appropriate for grades 3-6
  • The sequence takes place over nine lessons of approximately 45 minutes each, daily or across weeks

Target Learners

  • Elementary students in grades K-6

Learning Goals

  • Explaining a scientific phenomenon (Sun's effect on Earth's surface)
  • Authentic reading, writing, and scientific discourse

Claims

Examples

-

Key Sources

  • Practitioner's guide to integrating literacy and science. (2025). HMH Education Company / NWEA. https://www.nwea.org
Page metadata
Field Value
type design
id phenomenon-driven-nine-lesson-literacy-science-sequence
title Nine-lesson phenomenon-driven sequence: introduce phenomenon, observe, question, experiment, share data, read, revise model, extend
description The guide sketches a nine-lesson sequence (approximately 45 minutes each) driven by a single phenomenon: why some playground surfaces are hotter than others.
status review
generated by process:settle-candidates on 2026-10-08
trust unverified — no one has confirmed this page's content
sources 1 — practitioners-guide-to-integrating-literacy-and-science-2025

Frontmatter is the page's machine-readable record — see the Schema & Guide.