Science and Children—November/December 2019

When we listen to student conversations, we have a window into their thinking, and knowing what students think can help determine their needs and advance them toward deeper understandings. This month, we take a look at cultivating classroom conversations by asking questions, constructing explanations, and using visual thinking techniques, talk moves, and other strategies to encourage and promote student dialogue.

Can I Build on That?

Journal Article

Can I Build on That?

Student-engaged talk stems from teachers’ epistemological messages....

What Did You Notice?

Journal Article

What Did You Notice?

Simple questions lead to evidence and explanations...

Sparking Discussion through Visual Thinking

Journal Article

Sparking Discussion through Visual Thinking

Strategies for adapting Visual Thinking Strategies for use in the science classroom...

Discussion Supports Sense-Making Within and Across Lessons

Journal Article

Discussion Supports Sense-Making Within and Across Lessons

Promoting coherent learning about weather forecasting in kindergarten...

Editor's Note: Cultivating Classroom Conversations

Journal Article

Editor's Note: Cultivating Classroom Conversations

Science and Children’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue....

The Early Years: Sorting Materials

Journal Article

The Early Years: Sorting Materials

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2....

The Poetry of Science: Cultivating Classroom Conversations

Journal Article

The Poetry of Science: Cultivating Classroom Conversations

Building literacy in playful, meaningful ways....

Formative Assessment Probes: Using Probes for Constructive Conversations

Journal Article

Formative Assessment Probes: Using Probes for Constructive Conversations

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment....

Teaching Through Trade Books: Looking Good: Structural Adaptations and Inherited Traits

Journal Article

Teaching Through Trade Books: Looking Good: Structural Adaptations and Inherited Traits

This column includes activities inspired by children’s literature....

Science 101: What are some processes that affect landforms?

Journal Article

Science 101: What are some processes that affect landforms?

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers....

Engineering Encounters: Where Have the Birds Gone?

Journal Article

Engineering Encounters: Where Have the Birds Gone?

This column describes creating a classroom culture for engineering....

Teaching Teachers: Let’s Talk About It

Journal Article

Teaching Teachers: Let’s Talk About It

This column describes creating a classroom culture for engineering....

Methods & Strategies: Encouraging Student-Generated Questioning

Journal Article

Methods & Strategies: Encouraging Student-Generated Questioning

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching....

Journal Article

Beyond General-Purpose Talk Moves

By Scott Grapin, Alison Haas, Marcelle Goggins, Lorena Llosa, and Okhee Lee

Early Childhood Elementary Literacy Pedagogy Teaching Strategies