Core Skills Analysis
Science
Will read chapters from the reference book “Ask a Scientist” about whether dogs cry and what is in the head besides the brain. Through this reading, Will explored scientific questions about animal behavior and human anatomy, distinguishing between an observable behavior and the biological structures that may explain it. He practiced learning from informational text and considering evidence-based explanations rather than relying only on everyday assumptions. The activity also introduced him to the idea that scientific understanding often begins with asking focused questions about living things.
Tips
Tips: Invite Will to create a two-column chart separating observations from possible scientific explanations for each topic. He could research how scientists study animal emotions and compare dogs’ tear production with human crying, using reliable sources. For anatomy, he could label a simple side-view diagram of the head, including structures he verifies through research. Finish with a short “Ask a Scientist” journal entry in which Will writes one new question, a prediction, and the evidence he would want to investigate.
Book Recommendations
- The Way We Work by David Macaulay: An illustrated explanation of how the human body functions, including anatomy and physiological processes.
- The Secret Life of the Dog by Janet L. Davies: A nonfiction exploration of dog behavior, senses, communication, and relationships with humans.
- National Geographic Encyclopedia of Science by National Geographic Kids: A broad reference resource covering biology, animals, the human body, and many other scientific topics.
Learning Standards
- Virginia SOL Science 1.1: Will engaged with scientific questions and practiced building understanding through observation-based and informational inquiry.
- Virginia SOL Biology BIO.2: The anatomy topic provided an introductory connection to biological structures and life processes, although the activity did not document detailed biochemical investigation.
- Virginia SOL English 8.RV.1: Reading specialized science content supported vocabulary and knowledge development through a content-rich text.
Try This Next
- Evidence chart: Record what the text says, what can be observed, and what question remains unanswered.
- Create and label a verified diagram of structures found in the human head besides the brain.
- Write three quiz questions about dog tears, animal behavior, and human head anatomy.
- Design a mini research plan explaining how scientists could investigate whether dogs cry.