All Preservice Science Education resources
Blog Post
Using Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Strategy to Improve Student Learning
This past school year, I used claim, evidence, reasoning (CER) statements to show three-dimensional learning in my classroom. Several tools are available for doing this, but the one my students like is the CER Graphic Organizer and Transition Words L...
By Cindy Workosky
Journal Article
Methods and Strategies: Ask the Right Question
This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This month’s issue shows how teachers can use literature and higher-level thinking questions to enhance science instruction....
NSTA Press Book
Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons, 3-5: Using Children’s Books to Inspire STEM Learning
"Teachers in our district have been fans of Picture-Perfect Science for years, and it’s made a huge impact on how they fit science into their school day. We are so excited to do more of the same with these Picture-Perfect STEM books!"—Chris Gible...
By Emily Morgan, Karen Ansberry
Blog Post
Using the Crosscutting Concepts to Scaffold Student Thinking
At the recent NSTA National Conference in Los Angeles, three-dimensional learning was, of course, a major topic of discussion. When those discussions focus on classroom instruction, though, the crosscutting concepts are often the forgotten dimension....
By Cindy Workosky
Blog Post
Introducing Crosscutting Concepts in the Elementary Grades
Four years ago, I moved from teaching middle school science to teaching grades 2–5 STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) labs. One of the biggest challenges I faced was limited lab time in our elementary school. Because we ...
By Cindy Workosky
Blog Post
Planning Three-Dimensional Instruction
Knowing that content material is most engaging when students can relate to it, I always begin my year with a student survey. The questions are designed to help me design lessons to be as student-focused as possible. Knowing my students’ interests a...
By Cindy Workosky
Blog Post
How I Came to Understand the Three Dimensions
When I first started teaching science, I taught the facts. I taught the nine planets (before Pluto got demoted; sorry, Pluto!), the steps of mitosis, and the workings of plate tectonics, for example. I was proud that I had students who could learn th...
By Cindy Workosky
Class Pack
Space Exploration ClassPack: Grades 3-5
Using Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons: 3-5: Using Children’s Books to Inspires STEM Learning in your classroom is easier than ever! NSTA’s ClassPacks, each sufficient for a class of 28 students, are lesson-specific collections of materials—an unma...
Class Pack
Solving the Puzzle ClassPack: Grades 3-5
Using Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons: 3-5: Using Children’s Books to Inspires STEM Learning in your classroom is easier than ever! NSTA’s ClassPacks, each sufficient for a class of 28 students, are lesson-specific collections of materials—an unma...
Class Pack
Hurricane ClassPack: Grades 3-5
Using Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons: 3-5: Using Children’s Books to Inspires STEM Learning in your classroom is easier than ever! NSTA’s ClassPacks, each sufficient for a class of 28 students, are lesson-specific collections of materials—an unma...
Class Pack
Bionic Animals ClassPack: Grades 3-5
Using Picture-Perfect STEM Lessons: 3-5: Using Children’s Books to Inspires STEM Learning in your classroom is easier than ever! NSTA’s ClassPacks, each sufficient for a class of 28 students, are lesson-specific collections of materials—an unma...