All Sensemaking resources

Journal Article

Listening as Children Lead: Engaging Emergent Multilingual Children in Science Sensemaking by Transforming Roles

This article shares the experiences of three elementary teachers who took steps to transform their roles from speakers to listeners. After participati...

By Michelle Brown, Teila Hildebrand, Taylor Tarone-Sefchik, Allyson Trella, May Lee, Carla Zembal-Saul, Jennifer Cody

Multilingual Learners Sensemaking

Journal Article

Exploring Beneficial Species Interactions: A Phenomenon-Driven Approach to Understanding Legumes and Rhizobia Mutualism

This phenomenon-driven unit focuses on students making sense of the mutually beneficial species interactions between legumes and rhizobia. Many scienc...

By Kerrie Rovito, Lara Smetana, Michael Grillo, Alyssa Hoffman, Sydney DelGhingaro

Biology Phenomena Sensemaking

Journal Article

Beyond Definitions: Using Hexagonal Thinking for Sensemaking

This article was written for the purpose of introducing the hexagonal thinking strategy to upper elementary teachers. The strategy, in which students ...

By Simone Nance

Elementary Learning Progression Sensemaking Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Engaging elementary students in science practice: Strategies for helping children plan investigations

This article presents a tool that teachers can use to support children in planning science investigations. Using an extended example from a second-gra...

By Annabel Stoler, Eve Manz

Elementary NGSS Sensemaking Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Explanation and Argumentation: How Middle School Students Make Sense of the Phenomenon of Niagara Falls

The Framework and NGSS emphasize using lines of evidence to construct explanations and develop arguments that demonstrate understanding about scientif...

By Kenneth Huff

Middle School 5E Phenomena Sensemaking

Journal Article

Helping Students Use Crosscutting Concepts to Guide Sensemaking of Anchoring Phenomena

Crosscutting concepts (CCCs) are designed to help students make sense of phenomena across multiple scientific disciplines (National Research Council 2...

By Nicole Vick, Michael Novak, Dan Voss, Brian Reiser, Joseph Kremer, Whitney Mills, Jamie Noll, Dawn Novak, Ann Rivet

Crosscutting Concepts Phenomena Sensemaking

Class Pack

Mirror, Mirror ClassPack

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!        &n...

Elementary Informal Education General Science Physical Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Teacher Preparation Sensemaking

Class Pack

Feel the Heat ClassPack

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!        &n...

Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool General Science Physical Science STEM Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Teacher Preparation Sensemaking

Class Pack

The Handiest Things ClassPack: Grade K

Now Available for Grade K-2 Picture Perfect STEM Lessons - Ready-to-TeachTM Picture-Perfect ClassPacks!        &n...

Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool General Science STEM Technology Instructional Materials Inquiry Lesson Plans NGSS Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Labs Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education Professional Learning old Teacher Preparation Sensemaking

Journal Article

Group Learning Routines as a tool to build equitable learning experiences in a Biology classroom

The vision behind the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) is that all students engage in explaining phenomena and designing solutions with three-...

By Elizabeth Chatham, Joy Otibu, and Andrea Sau

High School Biology Environmental Science Equity NGSS Sensemaking Social Justice

Journal Article

Early Retirement: Making Sense of Patterns in Historical Data of Retired Hurricanes

Long after a hurricane passes over and through any region or coastal area, the memories of it often linger. There may be visual reminders of the storm...

By Christopher Roemmele, Joby Hilliker, and Victoria Clayton

High School Crosscutting Concepts Earth & Space Science Environmental Science Sensemaking Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

Local Ecosystem Observation Cycle: Supporting Preservice Elementary Teachers Engagement in Sensemaking

Equitable sensemaking enables students to draw on personal resources to investigate and explain phenomena and problems within their communities. Altho...

By Jessica Stephenson Reaves and Anna Arias

Postsecondary Environmental Science Inquiry Preservice Science Education Sensemaking

Journal Article

Just Because It Sounds Plausible, Doesn’t Mean It’s True

Plausible scientific arguments abound. Those who wish to deceive often weave a tangled web of plausible scientific arguments to support their case. Wh...

By Jonathan Osborne

High School Literacy Sensemaking Teaching Strategies

Journal Article

From Windy Day Stories to Wind Farms of the Future: Leveraging student resources to make sense of science phenomena with Data Puzzles

This article introduces the Data Puzzles instructional framework as a means to engage middle school students in the exploration of wind energy and its...

By Jonathan Griffith, Melissa Braaten, Ann Dubick, Anne Gold

Environmental Science Learning Progression Phenomena Sensemaking Teaching Strategies Three-Dimensional Learning

Journal Article

Medical and cancer-STEM education for underrepresented minority elementary school students in Audiology, Gastroenterology and Osteology/Orthopedics

The goal of the University of Southern California (USC)/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center funded Wonderkids Program is to develop medical and cancer ...

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Careers Equity Inclusion Sensemaking Social Justice STEM