Foundation Questioning and Predicting Activities

Australian Curriculum Alignment

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.