The "Next Generation Science Standards'" three dimensions--disciplinary core ideas (DCIs), science and engineering practices (SEPs), and crosscutting concepts (CCs)--were headliners at NSTA's national conference in Chicago and featured in many of the organization's other professional-development efforts this year (NGSS Lead States 2013).…

Science teaching and learning in the United States are at a pivotal point. "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" (NRC 2012b) and the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS"; NGSS Lead States 2013) shift science educators' focus from simply teaching science ideas to helping students figure out phenomena and…

The lesson described herein is the result of a partnership between a teacher and an entomologist brought together by a National Science Foundation (NSF)-funded grant that paired teachers and researchers to impact K-12 STEM education through partnership and innovation. This collaboration resulted in five lessons featuring live insects such as…

The fact that "The Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") are standards and not curriculum (NRC 2012, p. xiv) means that while they tell teachers what to teach, they do not tell them "how" science shall be taught. Ana Houseal and Peter Ellsworth have worked with eight Wyoming school districts on the…

It is common to see word walls displaying the vocabulary that students have learned in class. Word walls serve as visual scaffolds and are a classroom strategy used to reinforce reading and language arts instruction. Research shows a strong relationship between student word knowledge and academic achievement (Stahl and Fairbanks 1986). As a…

In recent years, a number of National Research Council reports have emphasized the need to improve science education and enhance science literacy for all students. In addition, the newly released "A Framework for K-12 Science Education" advocates engaging students in scientific practices and disciplinary core ideas. Children are not learning…

The word "living" is commonly used throughout elementary science lessons that focus on the biological world. It is a word teachers often take for granted when teaching life science concepts. How similar the constructed meaning of a common word like "living" is to the meaning intended by the teacher or instructional materials depends on how a…

Teacher preparation programs help teachers build a foundation for entering the teaching profession. However, learning to teach science cannot be achieved in a mere four years--it is a lifelong endeavor. Teachers continue to learn new science content and new teaching strategies throughout their careers. As professionals, they consistently update…

Describes a teaching model that uses learning styles. Five elements of learning styles are discussed: (1) environmental; (2) emotional; (3) sociological; (4) physiological; and (5) psychological. Describes using the learning styles assessment in the classroom. The study revealed that when students were taught tactually and kinesthetically rather…

Presents an interdisciplinary unit that combines science and technology as a social-historical study on Arcadian dikes. Promotes an authentic task for assessment. Provides a student resource materials packet and activity sheet. (ASK)

Provides suggestions for preparing, maintaining, and using a beehive. Includes addresses of bee supply companies and blueprints for constructing a hive. (MA)

Describes a collaborative teaching experience with K-12 students during four-week-long inquiry journeys into the five senses: sight, sound, smell, taste, touch, and reflection. (Author/KHR)

Guidelines to foster creativity in elementary/middle school students are discussed. These include understanding the creative process, freeing the classroom from constraints, rewarding creative behavior, modeling creative behavior, deferring judgment, choosing appropriate subject matter/materials, and using activities stimulating creativity.…

Suggestions for effectively using audiovisual materials are offered including preteaching vocabulary and concepts introduced in the materials, giving students a purpose(s) for viewing and listening, setting up equipment in advance, evaluating and discussing the material, and conducting follow-up activities. (DC)

Discusses paper chromatographic techniques and provides examples of typical classroom activities. Includes description of retardation values obtained during chromatography exercises and suggests using them for math lessons. (JN)