Foundation Science · AC9SFI04

Compare Predictions and Observations

revisiting their predictions and with guidance identifying whether their predictions matched their observations Learning connection: After an investigation, compare the…

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Learning goalsSay it simply

Learning intention

  • compare observations with predictions with guidance
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AC9SFI04 - AC9SFI04: Compare Predictions and Observations
Example 1

revisiting their predictions and with guidance identifying whether their predictions matched their observations Learning connection: After an investigation, compare the prediction with the observation. A different result is useful because it helps us update our thinking.

Example 2

comparing, with guidance, observations of plants or animals made during field work with their predictions Learning connection: After an investigation, compare the prediction with the observation. A different result is useful because it helps us update our thinking.

Example 3

using a provided table to draw or dictate their prediction and their observation and identifying whether they are the same or different Learning connection: After an investigation, compare the prediction with the observation. A different result is useful because it helps us update our thinking.

Example 4

Prediction and observation have different jobs: Prediction: “The large marble will roll farther.” Observation: “The small marble rolled farther.” Compare: The observation was different from the prediction. Think aloud: Describe what is observed first, then use that evidence to explain the idea.

Curriculum examplesCurriculum examples

Elaboration expansion and examples 1

  • E1: revisiting their predictions and with guidance identifying whether their predictions matched their observations Learning connection: After an investigation, compare the prediction with the observation. A different result is useful because it helps us update our thinking.
  • E2: comparing, with guidance, observations of plants or animals made during field work with their predictions Learning connection: After an investigation, compare the prediction with the observation. A different result is useful because it helps us update our thinking.

Elaboration expansion and examples 2

  • E3: using a provided table to draw or dictate their prediction and their observation and identifying whether they are the same or different Learning connection: After an investigation, compare the prediction with the observation. A different result is useful because it helps us update our thinking.
  • Prediction and observation have different jobs: Prediction: “The large marble will roll farther.” Observation: “The small marble rolled farther.” Compare: The observation was different from the prediction. Think aloud: Describe what is observed first, then use that evidence to explain the idea.
  • Use evidence, not embarrassment: We do not change the prediction after the test. We keep it, record the observation and explain whether they matched.
Teach, ask and checkTopic-aligned

AC9SFI04 · AC9SFI04: Compare Predictions and Observations

Learning focus: compare observations with predictions with guidance

Model it: Prediction and observation have different jobs: Prediction: “The large marble will roll farther.” Observation: “The small marble rolled farther.” Compare: The observation was different from the prediction. Think aloud: Describe what is observed first, then use that evidence to explain the idea.

Ask the learner: What do we compare after an investigation?

Look for: The learner can compare observations with predictions with guidance in a fresh example and explain the evidence or reasoning without copying the model.

If they are stuck: If the learner guesses or repeats a rule without evidence, return to the concrete or visual model and ask them to explain what each part shows.

Review hints and exit ticketReady for practice

Assessment-style questions and review hints 1

Questions

  • What do we compare after an investigation?
  • Can a prediction be different from the observation?

Review hints

  • Main idea: After an investigation, compare the prediction with the observation. A different result is useful because it helps us update our thinking.
  • Useful routine: Recall prediction → Observe result → Compare → Say same/different → Learn

Assessment-style questions and review hints 2

Questions

  • Why keep the original prediction?
  • Write a sentence comparing a prediction and result.

Review hints

  • prediction: what we thought would happen
  • observation: what we actually noticed

Exit ticket

  • What do we compare after an investigation?
  • Can a prediction be different from the observation?
  • Why keep the original prediction?
  • Write a sentence comparing a prediction and result.
Curriculum alignmentStart here

Curriculum

  • compare observations with predictions with guidance
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