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🔬 Week 1: Welcome Back Scientists

Lesson Overview
Grade Level Grades 1-2
Duration 30 minutes
Curriculum Year B
STREAM Focus S (Science), R (Religion)

Week 1: Welcome Back Scientists

🎯 Learning Objectives

STEM Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Use observation skills to explore nature 2. Record observations through drawing and words 3. Ask scientific questions about what they observe 4. Follow classroom routines and expectations

Faith Integration Objectives

Students will be able to: 1. Express wonder at God's creation 2. Identify themselves as explorers of God's world 3. Practice thankfulness for nature

Week 1: Welcome Back Scientists

🙏 Faith-Reason Integration

Catholic Teaching Connection

Wonder at Creation — God made the world and called it "good." Scientists explore this good creation, discovering its beauty and order. When we observe nature carefully, we see God's handiwork.

Scripture Connection

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." — Psalm 19:1

Saint Connection

St. Kateri Tekakwitha — A Native American saint who loved nature and saw God in the forests, rivers, and animals. She teaches us to find God in creation.

📚 Materials Needed

  • Nature collection (leaves, pinecones, rocks, feathers)

  • Magnifying glasses

  • Science journals

  • Crayons/colored pencils

  • "I Wonder" chart paper

📝 Lesson Procedure (30 minutes)

Opening Prayer (2 min)

Gather in Circle

"Dear God, thank You for this new year of discovery. Thank You for making such a wonderful world for us to explore. Open our eyes to see the amazing things in Your creation. Help us be good scientists who learn about Your world. Amen."

Introduction: We Are Scientists! (5 min)

What do scientists do?

  • Look carefully (OBSERVE)

  • Ask questions (WONDER)

  • Try things (EXPERIMENT)

  • Share what they learn (COMMUNICATE)

Year B welcome:

  • "This year we'll explore God's creation in NEW ways!"

  • "We'll meet robots, build things, and discover wonders"

  • "Every week, we'll learn something amazing"

St. Kateri connection:

  • Show image of St. Kateri

  • "She loved nature and found God everywhere"

  • "She teaches us that creation shows God's love"

Nature Observation Activity (15 min)

Observation stations (rotate every 5 min):

Station 1: Touch & Feel

  • Various natural objects in bags

  • Feel without looking

  • Describe textures

Station 2: Look Closely

  • Magnifying glasses

  • Examine leaves, rocks, feathers

  • What details do you notice?

Station 3: Sorting

  • Natural objects to sort

  • By color? Size? Texture?

  • Make groups and explain why

Wonder questions throughout:

  • "What do you notice?"

  • "What do you wonder?"

  • "Why do you think it looks like that?"

Recording Observations (5 min)

In science journals:

  • Draw ONE thing you observed

  • Write or dictate one thing you noticed

  • Write or dictate one question you have

Closing (3 min)

Share one wonder:

  • Each student shares one thing they noticed OR wondered

Closing Prayer: "Thank You, God, for eyes to see, hands to touch, and minds to wonder. Thank You for St. Kateri who shows us how to love nature. Help us be curious scientists who see Your love in everything. Amen."

📎 Home Connection

"We began our Year B STREAM journey today! We practiced observation skills with natural objects and learned about St. Kateri Tekakwitha, who loved nature. Ask your child: 'What did you observe today?' 'What do you wonder about?' Take a nature walk together and practice observing God's creation."

✅ Assessment

  • Participated in observation stations

  • Used observation vocabulary

  • Recorded observations in journal

  • Asked wonder questions

Lesson Version: 1.0 — Year B | **