Task 4

Materials and tools for a working group:

wooden button, wooden cube, wooden spoon, branch, coin, key, metal spoon, horseshoe, plastic button, plastic comb, plastic spoon, plastic bottle, magnet

The teacher prepares objects according to the table in task 4. It is important to focus on making sure that wood and plastic articles do not contain any other materials, only wood and plastic. In the case of metal objects, it is important to ensure that some of the objects are attracted by a magnet (for example, a spoon and a horseshoe) and some are not (a coin, key). Without this condition, the research objectives of the task cannot be achieved. Objects are intentionally different in weight and shape.

The task of pupils is to find out which objects are attracted by the magnet and which are not. In the task, the objects are grouped according to the materials intentionally, so that pupils tend to create generalizing conclusions (we teach them to systematically examine them by providing a situational example). In the introduction it is important to highlight the research question: What objects are attracted by the magnet? Consequently, pupils are led to create predictions. Various heavy objects of various shapes are intentionally mentioned, the apparently common feature being the material from which they are made. In making predictions, pupils have objects available to consider their different characteristics. Making predictions takes place in a group, but each pupil has the opportunity to record their own predictions. This means that pupils are encouraged to discuss and try to agree on predictions by justifying them against classmates, but if they do not convince them, they have the opportunity to record their own predictions. Subsequently, they use the magnet to verify the predictions.

After verifying the pupils‘ predictions, we lead to an evaluation of what the new have they found (when the predictions have not been confirmed). At the same time, we lead them to formulate a generalized conclusion, which should be formulated in the form of an answer to a research question, whereby pupils should refer to their findings (table data) in their response.

Within the 4 task, the aim is to evaluate the conclusions that only metal objects, but not all metal objects, are attracted by the magnet. At this stage, the teacher does not create the conclusion, otherwise it is not possible to develop the ability of inductive cognition. Pupil rather concludes in terms of what he found himself and how he understood it himself.