Hamilton Elementary School has just opened its first science lab.  Mr. Dobbs, the science teacher, gives the students this handout when they come to the lab for the first time.

Welcome to the Science Lab!

1          Welcome to your school’s new science lab!  We will be doing a lot of experiments and learning all kinds of things about science in here.  Before we start, there are a few things you should know about the work we do in this classroom.  If we work as a team, we can keep this science lab running smoothly.

2          In the science lab or when we are investigating outside the lab, we are all scientists.  We take our work seriously and pay attention to what we are doing.  All running and playing are done outside at recess, not in the science lab.  We understand that our science materials are not toys and we keep our working area neat and tidy.  We speak to our lab partners in polite and respectful voices.

3          When we are doing an experiment, we follow all the directions our teacher gives us.  We read the procedures before we start so we will know what to do.  If we have questions, we ask the teacher before we begin using the materials.  We never make guesses about what to do during an experiment.  We make sure we fully understand.  If we make a mistake or have an accident, we report it to the teacher immediately.

4          We try to keep everyone safe, both in the science lab and outside.  We wear safety goggles if the experiment calls for them.  We keep food and drinks away from the science tables and never taste or smell science materials unless the teacher tells us to do so.  We take off jackets, bracelets, and other loose clothing so we don’t knock anything over.  We keep long hair tied back so it does not get in our way.  If we see any unsafe behaviors, we report them to the teacher.

5          We try not to waste any science materials.  If an item we have used for an experiment is made of plastic, paper, or glass, we recycle it when we have finished the experiment.  If another class might be able to use an item, or if we know we will use it at another time, we clean it and keep it for future use.  We use only the amount of materials called for in the instructions so we don’t waste anything.  We never pour anything down the drain of the sink without the teacher’s permission because some liquids are bad for the sink and need to be thrown in the garbage can.  Some chemicals have a special way they must be thrown away.  We understand that cleaning up after an experiment is an important part of the experiment and we always follow our teacher’s directions about what to do with science materials when we have finished with them.

6          When we keep all these things in mind, we have a great time in the science lab!  There are so many scientific things to learn.  I can’t wait to get started!

waste 

1  n a sparsely settled region 

2 n a scrap 

3 v to use carelessly

4 v to accomplish nothing by speaking

1   Which definition from the dictionary

applies to the way waste is used in paragraph 5?

()      definition 1

()     definition 2

()      definition 3

()     definition 4

2   The reader can tell that Mr. Dobbs probably -

()   prefers to teach social studies

()   wants his students to use the science lab wisely

()   thinks all students should become chemists when they grow up

      ()   does not think his students will ever understand science

3   Paragraph 5 mainly tells about -

()   The class always recycles their materials at the end of science class.

()   The class makes wise choices in the use of resources and throwing away or recycling materials. 

()   Mr. Dobbs does not want the students to throw dangerous chemicals down the sink drain.

()   Mr. Dobbs is a very strict science teacher who does not allow horseplay in his class.

4   The reader can tell that the handout says, “All running and playing are done outside at recess, not in the science lab,” because -

()   Mr. Dobbs will take them to recess after science class.

()   the kids love to play football at recess. 

()   the kids will go to the science lab instead of recess.

()   running and playing in the science lab could be dangerous.

5   Why do you think Mr. Dobbs gave the students this handout?

()   to give the students information

()   to tell the students a story

()   to share a poem with the students

()   to test the students

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