**Title: Understanding and Applying the Scientific Method**
**Attendance:**
– Number of students mentioned absent: 1 (Tina asleep)
**Topics Covered:**
1. Introduction to the Scientific Method
– Free write on students’ existing knowledge of the scientific method
– Discussion on the scientific method’s application beyond science (critical thinking)
– Clarification of the scientific method steps: hypothesis, experiment, conclusion
– Reflection on the scientific method’s relevance to academic writing and other fields
2. Hypotheses in Scientific and Academic Contexts
– Discussion on the nature of hypotheses as educated guesses
– Connection between hypotheses and thesis statements
– Introduction of the concept of testable hypotheses
3. Epidemiology and Disease Study
– Explanation of epidemiology and its importance
– Group activity: Developing experiments to test hypotheses related to smallpox and HIV/AIDS
4. Hypothesis Creation for Assignment
– Students tasked with creating hypotheses comparing two diseases within assigned countries
– Discussion of testable hypotheses and the importance of measurability in experiments
**Actionable Items:**
– Encourage students to think critically about the applicability of the scientific method in various fields.
– Remind students to focus on creating testable hypotheses.
– Provide further clarification on the steps of the scientific method as needed.
– Upload essay map chart and information on how to create a “sandwich” for paraphrasing.
**Homework:**
– Create an essay map for the upcoming essay, focusing on comparing two diseases within an assigned country.
– List two main points and supporting details to prove which disease is more dangerous.
– Consider how to demonstrate the diseases’ impact within the specific country.
– Send in biography paraphrase before Friday’s session.
– Review additional materials on paraphrasing and plagiarism to be uploaded by the teacher.