At any point during the school year, a teacher may find out the gap between what students know and need to learn is not large at all. In fact, formative assessment data may show a handful of students already have mastered the content for a specific unit of study. While some learners will achieve grade-level standards at the pace outline by a…

Although the "Next Generation Science Standards" and "Common Core State Standards" do not extend to prekindergarten, early learning experiences are vital to preparing young children entering kindergarten with the background knowledge, technical vocabulary, resourcefulness, and dispositions for inquiry that are the foundations…

For many teachers, engineering can be intimidating; teachers receive little training in engineering, particularly those teaching early elementary students. In addition, the necessity of differentiating for students with special needs can make engineering more challenging to teach. This article describes a professional development program…

Having taught K-12 students and preservice teachers for almost 20 years, the author knows the problems that arise when students are asked to generate an investigation of their own design. Therefore, she developed some lessons that significantly increased the diversity and quality of the investigations students generated. This article describes…

Discusses the use of the "Science Journal" by elementary school children as a means of developing effective writing skills and in helping to individualize the science classroom. (JR)

Rationale for and examples of science learning centers are provided. "Life Beneath the Sea,""Humans in Space,""World of Insects" and "Experimentation" centers are described. Instructions for constructing centers from readily available materials are included. (JN)

Discusses the A-T approach in conjunction with a structured science program, such as COPES, which provides opportunities for independent study and student self-pacing and is a means for increasing student comprehension. This approach can also help absentee students catch up as well as students who enter mid-year. (BR)

Three changes in elementary science teaching have exhibited the pendulum effect: teaching the process skills of science, teaching science by inquiry, and teaching science by individualized instruction. (BB)

Individualization of instruction for the learning-disabled and/or behavior-disordered student is considered a must. Contract teaching, a programed type learning plan, is described in five basic steps. Numerous effective learning experiences are possible. (EB)

The movement toward inclusion has affected classrooms greatly. Now, more than ever, teachers are addressing a broader range of academic needs in every classroom. But, how can teachers can reach "all" students when students are so academically diverse, have special needs, and/or are English learners? One way is through differentiating instruction.…

Describes a middle school science program that emphasizes choices, diverse potential experiences, independent study, and individualization. (JR)

Through the use of science-reading kits, one teacher develops practical application of children's reading skills. Each child designs and builds appropriate materials for science learning kit on the subject of his/her choice. (SA)