The study of shadows is a common elementary science topic that facilitates students' development of understanding about light and associated waves. All elementary students have observed numerous shadows, but need assistance in developing understanding. Previous research studies about shadows were utilized in organizing aspects associated with…

"What starts out long but gets shorter then longer each day?" Shadows! This student's clever riddle was an opportunity to investigate how the Sun's daily position in the sky influences shadow length. Thus began a mini-lesson which was created to help third-grade students understand that a shadow occurs when an opaque object blocks light (Shapiro…

Discusses the use of literature webs in teaching marine concepts. Includes examples and strategies based on "Thy Friend, Obadiah," a picture storybook for children up to grade four. Examples relate to literacy awareness, art awareness, drama, personal response, writing, social studies, and science. Also includes a list of related…

Discusses activities related to the Elementary Science Study (ESS) unit "Growing Seeds." The unit teaches students to manipulate, observe, and record the growth of seeds. Activities foster classifying, hypothesizing, and predicting skills. Enrichment activities and a culminating activity for the unit are suggested. (JN)

Describes the Evening Science program, a science enrichment program for K-6 students and their parents where students and parents engage in problem-solving activities that encourage science learning for the whole family. (JRH)

Land snails are common invertebrates that fascinate children. Unfortunately, they are seldom used for activities in the science classroom. Snails are inexpensive, take up little space in the classroom, and require only low maintenance, and their learning dividends can be enormous. For example, students can use them in inquiry-based activities that…

Describes problem-solving activities in the Unified Sciences and Mathematics for Elementary Schools (USMES) and Elementary Science Study (ESS) programs. Indicates that these curricula serve as excellent sources of activities to develop and improve their students' problem-solving skills. (Author/JN)

Presents two activities on acid rain for students in intermediate grades. Materials needed and procedures used are included. Also describes "chemical magic" shows performed by high school students for sixth-grade students in seven elementary schools in Altus, Oklahoma. (JN)

Describes a series of exercises designed to develop student's perceptual skills and to improve the processes of comparing, describing, and developing subsets. Includes suggestions for adapting the exercises into science lessons, providing tips for developing each into complete units. Units include human-made objects, leaves, shells, rocks, and…

The unit box concept is an inquiry-oriented unit of instruction which helps preservice students develop teachable science units based on commercially available teaching guides. The unit box (which utilizes appropriate concrete materials to encourage hands-on learning for elementary students) contains everything needed to teach a specific unit,…

Describes a fourth-grade unit on density which introduces a concept useful in the study of chemistry and procedures appropriate to the chemistry laboratory. The hands-on activities, which use simple equipment and household substances, are at the level of thinking Piaget describes as concrete operational. (BC)

The unit box is an inquiry-oriented method of instruction using an existing teacher's resource such as a textbook or guide. Unit boxes can help preservice students develop teachable elementary science units. Sixteen components of any unit box are described. These include manipulative materials, bulletin board plans, behavioral objectives, and…

Describes the purpose and preparation of a science unit box which contains materials, ideas, and resources for more effective science teaching. Lists and explains the 14 basic components that each box should contain including behavioral objectives, manipulatives, science concept and process list, and lesson plans. (RT)