All Science Scope resources

Journal Article

Reading aloud is a widely accepted and successful practice in elementary school classrooms, but is rarely found in middle school classrooms (Allen 2000). However, results from initial research on reading aloud in secondary classrooms support the prac...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: Finding learning beneath the surface—Monitoring student progress with Science Practice Learning Progressions

If we want our students to become capable practitioners of scientific inquiry, we should not stop at providing opportunities to do inquiry. We need to be intentional about assessing and teaching the competencies necessary for inquiry. However, the ab...

Journal Article

The Take Action Project

The Take Action Project (TAP) was created to help middle school students take informed and effective action on science-related issues. The seven steps of TAP ask students to (1) choose a science-related problem of interest to them, (2) research their...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: An inquiry into the phases of matter

The “What’s the matter With XOD” activity addresses students’ misconceptions and refines their ideas about phases of matter. This activity introduces the characteristics for solids, liquids, and gases, and begins a discussion about physical a...

Journal Article

Science Sampler: The science of soil textures

Off-road motorcycle racing and ATV riding. Gardening and fishing. What do these high-adrenaline and slower-paced pastimes have in common? Each requires soil, and the texture of that soil has an effect on all of them. In the inquiry-based lessons desc...

Journal Article

Scope on the Skies: Moon phases

When teaching Moon phases, the focus seems to be on the sequence of Moon phases and, in some grade levels, how Moon phases occur. Either focus can sometimes be a challenge, especially without the use of models and observations of the Moon. In this mo...

Journal Article

Scope on Safety: Glue guns—Aiming for safety

While glue guns are very useful, there are safety issues. Regardless of the temperature setting, glue guns can burn skin. The teacher should demonstrate and supervise the use of glue guns and have a plan should a student get burned. There should be a...

Journal Article

Scope on Safety: Negligence—Some things you can’t afford to ignore

Governmental immunity statutes may not shield science teachers from lawsuits if the teachers fail to take appropriate safety measures in the face of known hazards or dangers in the laboratory. The lesson then seems simple: Understand your “duty of ...

Journal Article

Making the Case for Action Research

As any contemporary teacher knows, credit and credibility are showered on those who engage in research-based practices. And not just any research. It must be tied to a study with a large enough number of participants; a clear intervention; control an...