Chapter 5 • Australian Curriculum AC9SFI01
Free Printable Foundation Questioning and Predicting Worksheets
Download free printable Foundation science worksheets to help students turn everyday experiences into science questions and make simple predictions before observing or testing.
Australian Curriculum Alignment
Learning area: Science
Year level: Foundation
Strand: Science Inquiry
Sub-strand: Questioning and Predicting
Curriculum code: AC9SFI01
Content description: Pose questions and make predictions based on experiences.
Equivalent Curriculum Codes
US: NGSS SEP and K-2-ETS1-1 (ask questions and make predictions).
UK: KS1 Working Scientifically; questioning and predicting.
Canada: Ontario Science K–2 Scientific Inquiry.
NZ: NZ Curriculum Science Level 1 investigating and predicting.
India: NCERT Class 1–2 Science – asking questions and making predictions.
What Students Will Learn
- Ask questions based on everyday experiences.
- Use question starters such as what, why and how.
- Make predictions using what is already known.
- Ask questions about objects and materials.
- Predict what plants and animals may be observed during field work.
- Predict how differently shaped objects may move down a slope.
Teaching Activities
1. I Wonder Questions
Use familiar experiences such as eating broccoli or bouncing a ball to generate questions.
2. Mystery Object
Show an object and ask students what they wonder about its material or use.
3. Predict Before Testing
Predict whether an object will roll, slide, bounce or stay still.
4. Field Work Predictions
Before going outside, predict which plants and animals may be seen.
5. Question Sorting
Sort statements into questions and non-questions.
6. Shape and Slope Test
Predict how a ball, egg, tube and block will move down a ramp.
7. Prediction Check
After testing, discuss whether the result matched the prediction.
Questions to Ask Students
- What do you wonder?
- What do you think will happen?
- What do you already know?
- Why did you make that prediction?
- How could we test it?
- Did the result match your prediction?
Simple Assessment Ideas
- Observe students during practical activities and discussions.
- Ask students to draw, match, sort, point, demonstrate or explain.
- Use a short exit task linked to the curriculum code.
- Allow an adult to record a child's spoken response when needed.
- Look for correct use of simple science vocabulary.
Supporting Different Learners
Additional support
- Use real objects, photographs and simple picture cards.
- Model one step at a time.
- Provide sentence starters and two-choice questions.
- Allow students to respond by pointing, matching, drawing or speaking.
Extension
- Ask students to explain the reason for their choice.
- Invite students to compare two examples.
- Ask students to record observations in a table or labelled drawing.
- Encourage students to create and share a new question.
AC9SFI01 Worksheets and Teaching Resources
View the complete collection of teacher slides, student practice pages, revision activities and printable worksheets for AC9SFI01.
Topic Summary
AC9SFI01 supports Foundation students through practical, age-appropriate science experiences. Use real objects, discussion, observation, drawing, sorting and simple recording tasks to build confidence and understanding.
Recommended Activity Materials
Questioning and predicting activities work well with prompt cards, clipboards, observation tools and simple science materials for discussing what might happen next.
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