Sensemaking Resources

Journal Article

This article shares the experiences of three elementary teachers who took steps to transform their roles from speakers to listeners. After participating in a professional learning (PL) project that uses science to support English language practices, ...

NSTA Press Book

Click here to view video of Wild Wonderings Let your curiosity run wild! This lively book will inspire you to ask questions like scientists do. Why? Because questions can lead you to amazing discoveries. Like what? Like when theoretical physicist ...

NSTA Kids

Click here to view video of Wild Wonderings Let your curiosity run wild! This lively book will inspire you to ask questions like scientists do. Why? Because questions can lead you to amazing discoveries. Like what? Like when theoretical physicist ...

Journal Article

This phenomenon-driven unit focuses on students making sense of the mutually beneficial species interactions between legumes and rhizobia. Many science classes spend less time studying the nitrogen cycle due to time constraints and more focus on othe...

NSTA Kids

Click here to view video of Next Time You See a Snowflake This book will have you seeing snowflakes in a whole new way. You’ll learn about the science of snowflakes – how they form, why they are six-sided, what conditions are necessary for the...

Journal Article

This article was written for the purpose of introducing the hexagonal thinking strategy to upper elementary teachers. The strategy, in which students make connections across the vocabulary and concepts to develop a map, has become more popular in the...

Journal Article

This article presents a tool that teachers can use to support children in planning science investigations. Using an extended example from a second-grade investigation into seed dispersal, we describe strategies for structuring conversations that anch...

Journal Article

The Framework and NGSS emphasize using lines of evidence to construct explanations and develop arguments that demonstrate understanding about scientific phenomena. For this vision to be actualized in science classrooms, students must engage in invest...

Journal Article

Crosscutting concepts (CCCs) are designed to help students make sense of phenomena across multiple scientific disciplines (National Research Council 2012). Since they are applicable to explaining so many different phenomena, they have the potential t...

Class Pack

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!         • We are excited to announce our new kitting partner: ECA Science Kit Services! Now offering ...

Class Pack

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!         • We are excited to announce our new kitting partner: ECA Science Kit Services! Now offering ...

Class Pack

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!         • We are excited to announce our new kitting partner: ECA Science Kit Services! Now offering ...