This article describes an integrated unit designed to teach second graders about the phases of the Moon. The science department at the author's school had been reshaping their curriculum to match their state standards as well as the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS"). Their primary goal was for students to be…

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.…

With the number of popular medical and forensics programs on television and many references in the media today, even elementary students can comfortably throw around terms such as "cells," "DNA," and "artificial products." However, their questions on these topics often go unanswered, or they are left with misinformation regarding these concepts.…

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 a preschool science-based curriculum which encompasses four broad topics: water, small creatures, gadgetry, and environmental terraria. Includes a description and list of activities for each topic. Presents research suggesting that children participating in this curriculum increased their self-directed discovery and verbalized curiosity.…

Main reasons for not using recently developed curriculum materials in elementary schools include misunderstandings about their psychological bases, and lack of trained teachers and curriculum coordinators in school districts. Efforts should be directed to improve these conditions. (PS)

Four approaches may be used to convert an existing textbook science program into a district science program. These include correlated resource, chapter, lesson, and generalized approaches, each approach using an adopted textbook series as a base (determining subject scope/sequence) into which local aims and resources may be integrated. (Author/JN)

Following evidence indicating lack of science instruction in schools, a science curriculum expressed as a modified pyramid, with the majority of process skills, content, and contemporary issues introduced at the K-6 level is described. Includes two tables indicating which grade level skills, content, and issues should be introduced and emphasized.…

Discusses summer workshops designed to help elementary teachers develop an earth science program for their schools. Includes descriptions of three lessons and related instructional strategies on rocks and minerals, topographic maps, and fossils. (BC)

Introduces a science program that provides an exciting, safe, and interactive educational experience. Describes activities and the impact of this program. (KHR)

Urges the use of the immediate environment of the school to serve as a focus and a medium to help plan activities and experiments in the different subject areas of science, and in the area of environment. (GA)

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)

Outlines and discusses elements for designing elementary school science programs, considering: goals and objectives; scope; sequence (arrangement dependent on logic, topic, hierarchy, developmental psychology, or combinations); instructional strategies; evaluation; and inservice education. Also suggests that textbooks serve as points to begin the…

"Accents on Science" is a new K-6 text which includes pupils' and teachers' editions, activity book (pupil and teacher), and evaluation programs. Content is drawn from life, physical, and earth sciences. "The Way We Are" is a kit of free materials on human sexuality for the emerging adolescent. (DS)