Build a 1st-Grade “What Is a Scientist?” Unit with AI in Under 10 Minutes

Hi Windy! It’s wonderful to help you plan this introductory science unit. This is such an exciting topic for 1st graders because it sets the stage for their curiosity for the rest of the year.

Here is a complete, ready-to-use lesson sequence for your "What is a Scientist?" unit.

Lesson Sequence: What is a Scientist?

Unit Overview

Grade Level: 1st Grade
Guiding Questions:

• What kinds of questions do scientists ask?
• How do scientists help us understand the world?

Can-Do Statements:

• I can describe what a scientist does.
• I can explain that scientists ask questions and try to find answers.

Lesson 1: The "I Wonder" Box

Objective: Students will understand that scientists start their work by asking questions about the world around them.

Materials Needed:

• A "Mystery Box" (any cardboard box with a lid, decorated with question marks).
• An object inside the box (e.g., a pinecone, a seashell, or a magnet).
• Chart paper and markers.

Instruction:

1. The Hook: Bring out the Mystery Box. Tell the students: "I have something inside this box, but I’m not going to show you yet. To find out what it is, we have to act like scientists. Does anyone know what the first thing a scientist does is?"
2. The Concept: Explain that scientists are "Professional Wonderers." They look at things and ask questions like:
   • What is it?
   • How does it work?
   • Why does it do that?
3. The Activity: Ask students to generate "I wonder" questions about the box.
   • Example: "I wonder if it’s heavy?" "I wonder if it makes a sound?"
4. Reveal: Open the box. Let students observe the object. Ask: "Now that we see it, what new questions do we have?"
5. Anchor Chart: Create an "Our Wonderings" chart. Write down 3-5 questions the kids have about the object (e.g., "Why is the pinecone sticky?").

Lesson 2: Scientists are Explorers

Objective: Students will describe the actions scientists take (observing, measuring, and recording) to find answers.

Materials Needed:

• Scientist Tool Kit Images: (Draw or print: Magnifying glass, ruler, notebook, pencil).
• A simple object for each student (e.g., a leaf or a toy car).

Instruction:

1. Discussion: "Yesterday we asked questions. Today, we are going to find answers! How does a scientist find an answer?"
2. Define the Actions:
   • Observe: Use your 5 senses to look closely.
   • Measure: Use tools like a ruler to see how big something is.
   • Record: Draw or write what you see so you don't forget.
3. Action Steps: Use a ruler to show how a scientist might measure. For example, if a leaf is 55 centimeters long, we write down L=5 cmL=5 cm.
4. Activity (The Investigation): Give each student a leaf.
   • Ask them to Observe: What color is it?
   • Ask them to Measure: Use a paperclip chain or ruler to see how long it is.
   • Ask them to Record: Draw the leaf in their "Science Journal" (details below).

Lesson 3: Who is a Scientist? (It’s You!)

Objective: Students will see themselves as scientists and understand how science helps the world.

Materials Needed:

• Handheld mirrors.
• "I am a Scientist" printable (content provided below).

Instruction:

1. Brainstorm: "How do scientists help the world?"
   • Possible answers: They make medicine, they study animals to keep them safe, they learn how to predict the weather so we know to wear a coat.
2. The Mirror Reveal: Tell students you have a picture of a real scientist. Pass around a mirror or have them look into one. "Who do you see? You! If you ask questions and look for answers, you are a scientist."
3. Synthesis: Review the Can-Do statements.
   • "Can you describe what a scientist does?" (They ask, look, and learn).
   • "Do scientists always know the answer right away?" (No, they have to try to find it!).

Actionable Resources for Your Classroom

Resource 1: The "Scientist's Toolkit" Anchor Chart Text

Copy these words onto your chart paper:

• A Scientist is a person who...
  • Asks "Why?" and "How?"
  • Observes with their eyes, ears, and hands.
  • Uses Tools like magnifying glasses and rulers.
  • Writes and Draws what they find.
  • Helps us understand our world!

Resource 2: "My Scientist Journal" Page Template

You can have students draw this in a notebook or print this layout:

Name: ____________________
Date: ____________________

1. My Scientific Question: I wonder... _____________________________________________________

2. My Observation (Draw a picture of what you see): [ Large Blank Square for Drawing ]

3. My Discovery: I found out that _________________________________________________

Resource 3: Recommended "Scientific Questions" for 1st Grade

If students are stuck, prompt them with these questions to get them thinking like a scientist:

1. Why do leaves change color in the fall?
2. How do ants carry food that is bigger than they are?
3. Why does ice turn into water when it gets warm?
4. How does a seed grow into a tall flower?
5. Why is the sky blue?

Pro-Tip for Windy: If you'd like to create a visual presentation to show these steps to your class with bright colors and images of diverse scientists, I recommend using Alayna's AI Slides Generator for Google Slides. It’s perfect for making these concepts visual for 1st graders! You can install it here and use it directly in Google Slides.

How does this sequence look for your classroom? Let me know if you’d like me to add an experiment or a specific assessment!