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Using Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) Strategy to Improve Student Learning

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

Middle School High School Biology Chemistry Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Earth & Space Science Evolution General Science Learning Progression Lesson Plans New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Physical Science Preservice Science Education Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Methods and Strategies: Ask the Right Question

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....

Elementary General Science Assessment Inquiry NGSS Pedagogy Teaching Strategies Interdisciplinary Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education

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

Postsecondary Elementary Informal Education STEM Assessment Curriculum Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans Teaching Strategies Interdisciplinary Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

Using the Crosscutting Concepts to Scaffold Student Thinking

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

Middle School Elementary High School Chemistry Crosscutting Concepts Curriculum Engineering Equity Inquiry Literacy New Science Teachers Physical Science Physics Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old STEM Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Technology Three-Dimensional Learning

Introducing Crosscutting Concepts in the Elementary Grades

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

Early Childhood Elementary Preschool Biology Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas Multilingual Learners Equity General Science Inquiry Labs Learning Progression Lesson Plans Life Science Literacy New Science Teachers NGSS Phenomena Preservice Science Education Science and Engineering Practices Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Planning Three-Dimensional Instruction

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

Learning Progression Lesson Plans New Science Teachers NGSS Performance Expectations Phenomena Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Science and Engineering Practices STEM Teacher Preparation Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

How I Came to Understand the Three Dimensions

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

Crosscutting Concepts Disciplinary Core Ideas NGSS Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Science and Engineering Practices

Space Exploration ClassPack: Grades 3-5

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...

Elementary Informal Education Earth & Space Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

Solving the Puzzle ClassPack: Grades 3-5

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...

Elementary Informal Education Earth & Space Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

Hurricane ClassPack: Grades 3-5

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...

Elementary Informal Education Middle School Earth & Space Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

Bionic Animals ClassPack: Grades 3-5

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...

Elementary Informal Education Middle School Engineering Life Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Teacher Preparation

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