Science Steps Cutout Activity Early Science • Sequencing Mat
The 4 Steps of a Scientist
Name:
Date:
✂️
Directions: Cut out the 4 picture cards from Page 2. Paste each step in order from 1 to 4!
Ask • Guess • Test • Share
1 Step One
Glue Step 1 Here Hint: "I wonder..."
ASK: What do I want to know?
2 Step Two
Glue Step 2 Here Hint: "I think..."
GUESS: What do I think will happen?
3 Step Three
Glue Step 3 Here Hint: "Let's try it!"
TEST: Try the experiment!
4 Step Four
Glue Step 4 Here Hint: "Look what we learned!"
SHARE: Tell what happened!
🎶
Scientist Chant
"Ask! Guess! Test! Share! We are scientists everywhere!"
I completed my mat:
Cut & Keep Sheet
Scientist Step Cutout Cards
Cut along the dotted lines ✂️
Use child-safe scissors. Cut out all 4 step cards. Then mix them up and paste them in order on Page 1!
Step 1
1. ASK "I wonder..."
Scientists look with curiosity and ask a big question.
Step 2
2. GUESS "I think..."
Scientists make a smart prediction before they begin.
Step 3
3. TEST "I try it out!"
Scientists do an experiment to see what really happens.
Step 4
4. SHARE "Look what happened!"
Scientists share their results and draw their findings.
Bonus Cutouts • Wear or Color! Cut & tape to your shirt!
OFFICIAL
Junior Scientist Badge
I know the 4 science steps!
Scientist: __________
CURIOUS
Super Observer Badge
I look closely with my eyes!
Scientist: __________
Sink Float Cutout Worksheet Hands-On Investigation • Cut & Paste Story
The Apple Mystery: Sink or Float?
Name:
Date:
🍎
Will a big red apple sink to the bottom or float on top? Cut and paste each story step in order!
Cards on Page 2
1 ASK: The Question
Glue Story Scene 1 Here "Will the apple sink or float?"
We hold the apple and ask our big science question.
2 GUESS: Our Prediction
Glue Story Scene 2 Here "I think it will..."
My Guess: Sink Float
3 TEST: The Experiment
Glue Story Scene 3 Here "Splash! Drop it in the bowl!"
We gently drop the apple into the water tub.
4 SHARE: What Happened
Glue Story Scene 4 Here "The apple bobbed to the top!"
Actual Result: Sink Float! 🍏
Science Discovery Secret
Why did the apple float? One quarter (25%) of an apple is made of tiny pockets of air! It acts just like a swimming pool floatie!
Cut & Match Cards
Apple Experiment Cutouts
Cut along dotted lines ✂️
Cut out the 4 story cards below. Match each scene to the right step on your Page 1 Story Mat!
Scene A
🍎❓
Wondering Scientist
"Will our heavy red apple stay on top of the water or drop to the bottom?"
Match to: Step 1 (ASK)
Scene B
🧠💡
Thinking Our Guess
"We think with our scientist brains and vote before we touch the water!"
Match to: Step 2 (GUESS)
Scene C
🥣💦
Testing in the Tub
"Splash! We gently place the apple into the water tub to test it!"
Match to: Step 3 (TEST)
Scene D
🎉📊
Sharing the Result
"Hurray! It floats at the top! We mark our chart and tell our friends."
Match to: Step 4 (SHARE)
Bonus Extension • Cut & Sort 4 More Objects! Do they sink or float?
🍃 Dry Leaf Floats!
🪙 Shiny Penny Sinks!
🪵 Wood Stick Floats!
🪨 Heavy Pebble Sinks!
Scientist Steps Teacher Guide Educator Facilitation & Answer Key
Scientist Steps Teacher Guide
Grade Level: Early Primary Pacing: 25–35 Minutes
Vocabulary Bridge: Science Words → Kid-Friendly Language
1. ASK Question "I wonder why..."
2. GUESS Hypothesis "I think that..."
3. TEST Experiment "Let's try it!"
4. SHARE Conclusion "Look what happened!"
Circle-Time Kinesthetic Chants & Body Movements
👂 Hand to Ear
Tilt head with hand cupped behind ear. Whisper: "Ask, ask, what do we see?"
🤔 Tap Temple
Tap index finger to temple with a thinking face. Say: "Guess, guess, what could it be?"
💪 Roll Sleeves
Pretend to push sleeves up and pour. Say: "Test, test, try it today!"
📣 Hands Megaphone
Cup hands around mouth and shout happily: "Share, share, hip-hip-hooray!"
Scissor Support Strategies
• Thumbs Up: Draw a smiley face on student's thumb nail to remind them to keep scissors pointing up.
• Pre-Cut Strips: For emergent motor skills, pre-slice the sheet into two horizontal halves so children only cut 1 line.
Glue Stick Rhyme & Management
• Glue Rhyme: Teach "Just a dab, not a slab" or "Dot, dot, not a lot!" to prevent soggy paper.
• Frame Glueing: Show students how to swipe the glue stick on the back edge of the cutout tile, then press firmly for 3 seconds.
Visual Answer Key & Layout Reference
Activity 1: Science Steps Mat
Slot 1: ASK (Magnifying Glass)
Slot 2: GUESS (Lightbulb / Brain)
Slot 3: TEST (Test Tube / Pouring)
Slot 4: SHARE (Megaphone / Chart)
Activity 2: Apple Experiment Story
Slot 1: Scene A (Wondering Apple)
Slot 2: Scene B (Brain Thinking)
Slot 3: Scene C (Dropping in Tub)
Slot 4: Scene D (Floats on Top!)
Bonus sort: Leaf (Float), Penny (Sink), Wood (Float), Pebble (Sink)
🪣
5-Minute Whole-Group Circle Hook
Bring a clear bowl of water and 1 real apple to the carpet. Guide students through each verbal step before sending them to their cut-and-paste tables!
