Kia Ora
Yesterday, caught this article in the New Zealand Herald from their Sideswipe section (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=11814582) and I thought 'what a great way to show what critiquing is all about'! I might be a bit squeamish and wouldn't show the second photo as it has more than just spoons in it (!).

However it could be interesting to show the initial photo and perhaps an introduction with the claim that KFC is getting smaller... What questions to the children have? Are any of the questions ones that critique or challenge? And how do those questions look different? Who could we ask (without actually asking!) for further information -the article has a few ideas on this but there are no answers which is a shame!
Could we decide just from the photo? Could we look at a variety of teaspoons and other sized spoons to see what we think?
One aspect of this quick activity is the opportunity to communicate. The NZC for Science has a lot to say about communication (pages 28 and 29), both about scientists communicating with one another and the general public, as well as us communicating with one another. How do we discuss? How do we argue? Can I just say "You're a complete idiot! You can well see that this is a dessert spoon!" or do I need to think and communicate 'as a scientist'... and what does that look like? Can I be emotional? Do I need evidence? Do I need to be objective or subjective? How do scientists communicate (and I'm thinking how should they communicate rather than how they do communicate!)?
From my thinking there are a few things happening here -I would like the children to start challenging what they read, see or hear within a science context, and I would like to see children beginning to critique and knowing how to critique. If you read the last post, we are keen to see science citizenship happening in Aotearoa New Zealand, and for me, this includes thinking about how do we regular citizens interact with the world of science. Although this article is about KFC and chicken size, the tools and thinking will nicely come into play with any of our science activities... as well as being tools that we as adults can use.

And to finish for no reason at all... From the next day's Sideswipe, sharks... with human teeth! I wonder if this would change what they would eat, how they would catch food... My favourite one is bottom right!

Have a fantastic day!
Paul