With the integration of engineering into science instruction, teachers have been seeking ways to add engineering in their classrooms. This article presents a primary (K-2) STEM unit that took place in a half-day kindergarten classroom as a way to address the scientific and engineering practices (dimension 1, p.41) and the disciplinary core idea…

Teachers in districts with high rates of poverty and low-achieving schools often lament the lack of resources for instruction. However, when a teacher in a third-grade inner-city classroom began a lesson about natural resources by saying, "We will find out what we know before we start," she used a precious resource--students' ideas.…

The authors conducted a test to determine whether they could incorporate a discovery box into a preschool setting was successful. It stimulated the students' natural inquiry processes while promoting understanding of healthy foods and allowing for practice of fine-motor skills. It was easily incorporated into the curriculum and classroom space.…

A major part of developing concept-based instruction is the use of an overarching idea to provide a conceptual lens through which students view the content of a particular subject. By using a conceptual lens to focus learning, students think at a much deeper level about the content and its facts (Erickson 2007). Therefore, the authors collaborated…

Describes how to organize Learning Centers, the basic curriculum decisions to be made with respect to learning objectives, activities, materials involved, and the process of evaluation to monitor pupils' progress. (GA)

Providing sun-safe environments, schedules, and activities; teaching and modeling sun-safe behaviors; and implementing a sun-safe school policy are ways that schools can help protect children from sun overexposure and lay the foundation for a healthy lifestyle at an early age. This article presents the SunWise program and examples of classroom…

Analyzes the role of standards in science curriculum development and professional development. Discusses the difficulty of interpreting standards and describes experiences from a curriculum forum. (YDS)

Describes major theses of Piaget's work on development of intelligence. Implications of this work are significant in terms of methods, curriculum, and sequence of topics and activities used in science classrooms. Author cautions, however, that work of other child psychologists should not be completely forgotten because of Piaget's ideas. (PS)

Outlines the formula and the preparation needed to design lesson plans adaptable to any science situation. Provides a detailed example using molds. (Author/MA)

Suggests science activities for gifted students based on the characteristics and needs identified and discussed in the article. (MA)

Describes a 10 week Saturday program in open-ended, hands-on science activity. Sessions emphasize three stages of learning: (1) messing about with concrete materials; (2) introduction of new equipment and probing questions; and (3) large group sharing session. Discusses the teacher's role and extended activities. (MA)

Explains the process of creating a curriculum based on the National Science Education Standards (NSES). Introduces an activity where students experience flowers and their environments. Focuses on Content Standard C of the NSES. (YDS)

The South Central Kansas Elementary Science-Math Project involves integrating science and math, active learning, and inquiry. Approximately 25,000 students are involved in the program. (CP)

Presents a 10-week unit on rocks and minerals for 2nd and 3rd grade classes of students with disabilities. Focuses on children's science process skills. Includes a sample worksheet. (KHR)

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)