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Rocks: collecting and classifying
On the playground two sisters collected rocks and set them on a bench where they grouped them by size. When I asked, “What kind of rock is that?” one said, “A triangle” referring to its outer shape. They also had a group based on material— ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Many current approaches to the design of curriculum and instruction are emphasizing the use of “big ideas” (aka essential questions, overarching themes) as an organizing framework for courses or units. I’ve done several presentation...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I’m concerned about the decrease in scheduled time for science instruction, especially in the primary grades. The teachers say that it’s all because of NCLB (No Child Left Behind) and its emphasis on reading and mathematics. Is this the c...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Although I credit my early childhood exposure to orchard, field, woods, and creek as the foundation for my understanding of the natural world, I would despair if I thought that same understanding is lost to children who grow up in urban, constructed ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Preschool play as assessment tool
Preschool play can reflect young children’s knowledge about the natural world and the human interaction experiences they’ve had. I get to observe and learn what the children express through play when we finish our opening discussion and they move...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
The June/July issue of Learning and Leading with Technology has a description of the website Science Buddies, a comprehensive resource for science fair participants of all ages....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
My school does not have a recycling program, but as a science teacher I’d like to set an example of “green” behavior. What can I do in a single classroom? — Tyler, Louisville, KY I’m sure you’ve heard of the expres...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
From the Early Years photo cache (click the pic for more)....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Standards and guidelines are great resources for lesson planning
Wanting to use best teaching practices and develop my students’ science thinking to the best of their capability, I look at what governments and curriculum developers think should be happening in an early childhood classroom, and what topics should...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
From the Early Years photo cache (click the pic for more)....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Even if you’re not a member of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE), you can access their 2009 NECC conference blog. The National Educational Computing Conference is scheduled for June 28-July 1 in Washington, DC, and ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I just finished my first year in the classroom. It was a challenge, but I learned a lot. With the end of the school year approaching, do you have any tips for what should I think about or prepare for next year? —Rene, South Bend, Indiana...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
One of the arguments against year-round schools is that “kids need a break.” But isn’t it ironic that by the end of July, we see articles in newspapers or blogs on the topic of what to do when kids say they’re bored?...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Sometimes you see a new application on the web and think “This is cool!” – and then as a teacher you wonder “How can I use this?” I recently was introduced to Wordle, a free, Internet-based application. Wordle takes wor...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I have the opportunity next year to co-teach two science classes with a special education teacher. Approximately one-third of each class will be special education students. We’re both interested but a little apprehensive. How do we make this wo...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Certain trees in my neighborhood are currently supporting populations of growing Eastern Tent Moth caterpillars. Children were excited to tell me about the “nest” they saw “way high” up in the tree (about 15 feet up)....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
What shape is your bubble wand? Children and making choices
From the Early Years photo cache (click on the pics for more). The children were happy that I had enough of each color pipe cleaner (known as “fuzzy sticks” nowadays) that everyone could choose their favorite color. We wanted to make bubbles and ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
For a project I’m working on, I wanted to revisit what I know about cooperative learning. When I Googled the topic, among the many resources I found was one from a professional development series Concept to Classroom, produced by Thirteen Ed O...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
It seems like it’s getting harder to motivate students. What can we do? — Roseanna, Beaverton, Oregon I’ve found we cannot motivate others; motivation comes from within the individual. We can threaten, cajole, plead, or reward stude...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Can you tell that it will rain soon by the way the air smells? Do you like the smell of snow? I like the way the air smells just as a badly needed rain begins—it makes me think of the earth exhaling as the water soaks in (but this could be a miscon...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
It’s not hard to get young students interested in the earth sciences that explain and describe the world around them. And yet for many students, the upper elementary and middle school grades are the last time they’ll be exposed to earth s...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
When I saw the theme for this issue, Teaching with the Community, what came to mind was students visiting community resources such as museums, zoos, and parks on field trips or students and teachers using the community as a classroom. But the article...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
This may seem like a simple thing, but I get requests for a considerable number of letters of recommendation every year. I suspect you do, too. I almost always say yes–partly out of being somewhat flattered, I’ll admit, but also because t...
By AnnC
Blog Post
Handouts about science to share with families—add your favorite resources
“What kind of science do you teach young children?!” people sometimes ask when they hear that the preschool curriculum includes science. Being able to share how the science activities are age appropriate, lay the groundwork for deeper understandi...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Easy clean up tip for fine-grained materials
Here’s a tip for simplifying the clean up of dry, fine materials. Put a smooth cloth down under the item, such as a Tenebrio beetle container or a tabletop sensory box....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Have you had any experience with partnerships between K-12 teachers and higher education faculty? We’re thinking of writing a grant proposal for this type of project and we’re open to suggestions. — David, Springfield, Massachusetts...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
This is a timely theme, considering that 2009 is the International Year of Astronomy. And this month’s Science Scope is full of relevant teaching ideas and lots of background information, such as simulating the vast spaces in the solar system, ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Our principal has started doing 5-minute “walk-throughs” in our school. What can she learn from such a brief classroom visit? How should I prepare? — Rose, Burbank, CA...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Online forums—communities that inform our practice
I like to visit other classes and learn what other teachers are doing—but not much time is allotted in a preschool budget for such networking....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
“Kazoo” is a cool word and playing one is an easy way to ‘feel’ sound. Kids think so too, judging from the comments I hear from parents the day after their children bring home the kazoos they made in school. Here’s one:...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Classifying Classification describes how a team of first-grade teachers examined their own instruction in classification and how it related to their state standards. Check out the rubric they created and how it could be adapted for older students....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science activities in early childhood prepare for a lifetime of learning
Like learning to count or to read, learning how to do science is a process. Children of all ages benefit from exposure to “science” situations where they are encouraged to fully experience our world, describe what they see, count and record data,...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Professional development on a shoestring
Our district professional development budget is being drastically reduced next year. Each department has been asked how to provide professional development on a shoestring. Do you have any suggestions for our science department? –Lisa, Montgome...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Mixing colors combines art and science in one activity
Colored acetate sheets make new colors as they overlap. Give children just the primary colors–a dark pink, a blue, and a yellow—and they can create orange, green, purple, and deep grays and browns without any instruction....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Educators share why they attended the conference
I’d like to share a few more comments from people who took the time to talk to me either after a session, in the exhibit hall, or on the bus. Thank you all for sharing your views on the benefits of attending the conference....
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
Looking for ideas to ring in Spring? Check out the S&C article Breaking the Sound Barrier by Tom Brown and Kim Boehringer for ideas on exploring sound and making simple instruments with everyday materials (e.g., rubber band guitars and string...
By ManagingEditorSC
Blog Post
Data collection, display, and analysis
Cockroaches, fast food, roadkill, rainfall—the articles in this issue of Science Scope show that middle level science students and teachers can use inquiry skills in studying almost any topic....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Using tools to move water: observing children's creative problem solving
I’m looking for ideas on how children can move water in different ways outdoors when the weather warms up. Ideally we’d have a shallow, slow-moving stream of pristine water nearby…....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
For me, New Orleans will be “unforgettable, in every way,” to quote the old Nat King Cole ballad. I feel as though I left a part of my heart there. It was a privilege to be able to visit the Crescent City, and I thank NSTA for it. I also ...
By Debra Shapiro