One author shares the unique opportunity to be immersed in the science of "sound at work" through participation in NOAA's (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) Teacher at Sea Program. A third- through fifth-grade learning outcome within the Nature of Science section of the "Next Generation Science Standards"…

Assessment serves many purposes in the elementary classroom. Formative assessment, often called assessment for learning, is characterized by its primary purpose--promoting learning. It takes place both formally and informally, is embedded in various stages of an instructional cycle, informs the teacher about appropriate next steps for instruction,…

World Diabetes Day (November 14) offers a wonderful opportunity to educate elementary children about the power they have to control their health. First lady Michelle Obama has urged Americans to educate themselves about childhood obesity, which is often associated with the onset of type II diabetes (Rabin 2010). The authors developed activities to…

Questions, activities, and methods which might aid in fostering creativity and other talents in an elementary school science context. (Author/CP)

Discusses the adoption, by the Samoan elementary school system, of the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) materials. Lists the SCIS courses being used and described some SCIS experiments performed by the Samoan students. (MLH)

Describes two research studies that, viewed collectively, provide an assessment of scientific literacy development. The results indicate thatthe Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) program does develop positive attitudes toward science in children and that SCIS children excell in understanding the processes of science. (BR)

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)

An active, materials-centered approach to learning, using the Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) is described in its use at a school for the hearing impaired. (EB)

Reviews the Elementary School Sciences Program (ESSP) in terms of format and content, goals and objectives, student materials, teacher materials, and equipment and media kits. (CP)

A plea for more intellectual honesty in judging the new elementary curricula and the teaching of elementary science. (CP)

Reviews prepared by NSTA Curriculum Review Center at the University of Georgia, Athens, are presented. The Me Now program is described in detail - showing organization into four units representing a two-year instructional program for an Educable Mentally Handicapped Class. (EB)

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)

Discusses the ELEMENTARY SCIENCE program for grades K-6, describing concepts that the program emphasizes and materials used for each grade level. (CS)

This is the first of a series of three articles, undertaken by the ERIC Center for Science and Mathematics Education, on three national elementary science projects (Elementary Science Study, AAAS--Science - A Process Approach, Science Curriculum Improvement Study) sponsored in part or in whole by the National Science Foundation. Six areas are…