JoinMethods and Strategies: Discussion Maps Make Sense!
One warm spring day, a group of 18 young children sat in a classroom discussing their ideas about plants. This was one of several discussions in a multi-age, grades 1–3 classroom in which the children were talking about living things. The plant discussion began with a question from the teacher, “What is a seed?” Guiding students through open-ended discussions can help students’ develop their understanding of the nature of science.