Over the course of the past three weeks, I have learned so much about teaching elementary science. However, all of what I have learned and taken away can be traced back to a few critical points:
- The nature of successful science instruction is: Science as Inquiry. This has been the driving force for my mental thought processes the past three weeks. My entry that addressed the 7E Approach to Teaching (Science) was based in inquiry and how students can work their way through the inquiry process. During my Grant Wood AEA training, this point was on the first slide of the presentation PowerPoint. Bottom Line: Science is an inquiry-based content area.
- Science Notebooks are a successful platform for instruction that adheres to teaching science as inquiry. Through their science notebooks, students will be able to predict results, record data, sketch their findings, generate results and reflect on their process. Science notebooks serve as excellent formative assessment tool for teachers as well. During my Pebbles, Sand & Silt FOSS Kit training, we used science notebooks throughout so that we could experience learning through a successful learning platform.
- Successful science instruction is active, collaborative and discussion-based. Throughout my readings, discussions and experiences at Grant Wood AEA, active science instruction has been a point of emphasis. You cannot successfully teach science in a passive and individualized manner. Students need to be getting dirty together and talking about what they’re discovering.
Thanks for reading this evening! Here is a quote to get your brain thinking on your way out: “Many highly talented, brilliant, creative people think they’re not – because the thing they were good at at school wasn’t valued, or was actually stigmatized.” -Sir Ken Robinson