INB 10: ConservationWhy is this discussion “Socratic?”

1. The teacher sets up the discussion with questions that probe for understandings of a concept.

2. The students take over the discussion by sharing their ideas with each other.

3. There are several stages that can be managed by the teacher.

1. Discussion Prep: I usually read each question and ask kids to think about their answer. There is no writing.

2. Table Talk: Sharing of those answers with a table partner. There is no writing.

3. Socratic Discussion : Some students speak. All students jot down notes that will help them remember who said what.

4. Reflection: Students construct their answer to a single question based on the arguments and ideas presented.

INB 10: Conservation: Weight of the Earth

Choose one of these statements and write a defense of it.

- The earth is heavier today than it was ten thousand years ago because far more people live on it and far more things like cities have been constructed.

- The earth is lighter today than ten thousand years ago because so many resources like iron, petroleum and food have been used up.

- The weight of the earth has essentially stayed the same throughout history because …

Discussion PrepSilently think about the answer to

each question.

1. What are the heaviest things you can think of?

2. How is “heaviness” measured? In what unit? Using what sorts of instruments?

3. What does “conservation” mean?4. What might a Law of Conservation be

about?5. Which weighs more, an undeveloped chick

in an egg or the developed chick 21 days later?

6. How much did you weigh when you were born? How much do you weigh now? Where did all that weight come from?

7. Is the earth heavier or lighter today than it was yesterday?

Table TalkShare your ideas and listen to your

partners’.Be prepared to share both.

1. What are the heaviest things you can think of?

2. How is “heaviness” measured? In what unit? Using what sorts of instruments?

3. What does “conservation” mean?4. What might a Law of Conservation be

about?5. Which weighs more, an undeveloped chick

in an egg or the developed chick 21 days later?

6. How much did you weigh when you were born? How much do you weigh now? Where did all that weight come from?

7. Is the earth heavier or lighter today than it was yesterday?

Socratic DiscussionRules of EngagementSocratic Discussion

Rules of Engagement

1. If you would like to share something, please stand and face the class.

2. If someone else stands at the same moment, politely sit down and let that person speak first.

3. Identify the number of the question you are answering then say whatever you like.

4. Quietly sit down and listen to others.5. As you listen, when you hear something that makes a

lot of sense to you, jot down the name of the person who said it and a few words to help you remember what was said.

6. If you want to speak again, make sure others have had a chance.

7. If you agree or disagree with someone, say their name and why.

INB 10: Socratic Discussion: Conservation

Whether you speak or not, listen carefully.

Jot down names and a few important notes.

INB 10: Socratic Discussion: Conservation

Whether you speak or not, listen carefully.

Jot down names and a few important notes.1. What does “conservation” mean?

2. What might a Law of Conservation be about?

3. Which weighs more, an undeveloped chick in an egg or the developed chick 21 days later?

4. How much did you weigh when you were born? How much do you weigh now? Where did all that weight come from?

5. Does the earth weigh more or less today than it weighed yesterday?

The Law of Conservation of Mass

- In 1774, Lavoisier showed that, although matter can change its state in a chemical reaction, the total mass of matter is the same at the end as at the beginning of every chemical change.

- The French Revolution and the burning of Paris influenced his reasoning.

INB 10: ReflectionPlease copy this question then answer it.

Cite the ideas of others to strengthen your answer.

How does the weight of the

earth today compare to

the weight of the earth in the

past?