This article provides an overview of the instructional activity implemented to introduce the authors' first-grade students to the concept of measuring, collecting, and recording temperature data as part of a unit on weather. The activities introduced involved approximately one week of instructional time. However, the application of the skill…

The authors share a sequence of lessons that teachers thought were especially useful to produce effective science discourse and promote student understanding. The first lessons teach social and emotional skills. The later lessons focus on energy sources and systems, requiring students to apply their social and emotional skills to conversations…

Makerspaces are collaborative workplaces equipped with a variety of high- and low-tech tools and materials that individuals can use to create physical and digital products. In this article the authors take the perspective that integrating a makerspace into a school is a proactive, thoughtful, and time-consuming process. To help meaningfully…

Creative thinking is important to scientists and engineers as they frame their work and engage in the practices of their fields. Elementary-age children need opportunities to think about and develop an idea from its inception through to its conclusion to expand their thinking and engage in scientific processes. Generating and expanding on ideas…

Describes an activity center where students work independently on problem-solving tasks. Participants keep records of their work and share ideas of activities with the class. Includes a list of tasks for the activity center. (MA)

Offers suggestions of ways to encourage problem solving activities on the playground. (MA)

Describes a 10-step model for analyzing lessons involving data processing, including a set of activities for early elementary and middle school grades. Each set provides examples of relevant questions, directions, and explanations. (Author/DC)