Standard: 6-8.RST.3 – Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks.
Grade level: Grade 6-8
Subject: English Language Arts
Domain: Science & Technical Subjects
Teacher Overview
This standard emphasizes the importance of following a detailed, multistep procedure in various scientific and technical contexts. It is crucial for developing students’ ability to conduct experiments, take precise measurements, and perform technical tasks accurately. Mastery of this standard ensures that students can handle complex tasks methodically, which is fundamental for success in higher education and various careers. Students should have a foundational understanding of reading comprehension and be comfortable following simple, sequential instructions. Prior experience with basic experiments or technical tasks will also be beneficial.
Upon mastering this standard, students will be able to independently execute complex procedures, improving their problem-solving abilities and preparing them for more advanced scientific and technical challenges.
Common Misconception 1
A common misconception is that students can skip steps if they seem unnecessary. This is incorrect because each step in a procedure often builds on the previous one, and missing a step can lead to incorrect results or failure of the task.
Intervention 1
To address this misconception, provide real-world examples where skipping steps led to significant failures. Conduct an experiment where a step is intentionally skipped and observe the outcome to illustrate the importance of each step.
Common Misconception 2
Another misconception is that all steps must be followed in the exact order presented. While some steps are critical and must be followed sequentially, others can be flexible. Understanding which steps are which is key.
Intervention 2
Teach students to identify critical steps by analyzing procedures and determining which steps are dependent on the completion of previous ones. Use examples from real-world tasks where order can be adapted without affecting the outcome.
Prerequisite Knowledge
Students should have a basic understanding of reading comprehension, familiarity with simple step-by-step instructions, and some experience with basic scientific experiments or technical tasks.
Subsequent Knowledge
After mastering this standard, students will be able to independently execute complex procedures, enhance their problem-solving skills, and apply these skills to more advanced scientific and technical tasks.
Instructional Activities
- Conduct a simple experiment with a detailed procedure and discuss the importance of each step.
- Create a step-by-step guide for a common technical task and have students follow it precisely.
- Use a recipe to demonstrate the importance of measurement and following steps in order.
- Analyze a failed experiment or task to identify which steps were skipped or done incorrectly.
- Role-play a troubleshooting scenario where students must follow a procedure to fix a problem.
