The connections the "Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") creates between science content and practices to literacy and mathematics are especially beneficial at the elementary level. In this article, the authors present a series of lessons a second-grade teacher taught within a thematic unit that integrated standards…

A prop box is a teacher-created resource full of age-appropriate and meaningful activities focused on a central theme. Prop boxes work much like learning centers in an elementary classroom with the important addition of providing opportunities for socio-dramatic play. Prop box play engages students in self-chosen activities that promote critical…

Presents an overview of an interdisciplinary animal behavior unit on wolves, including aspects of science, social studies, and language arts. Includes sources of wolf information. (MKR)

Believing that all children should have their multiple intelligences nurtured, these authors planned and implemented a set of learning experiences that would engage each of these capacities for the children in this kindergarten classroom (Figure 1). This study of ladybugs gave children the opportunity to learn in at least eight different ways-all…

Thematic topics offer tremendous potential for science learning in the early grades and beyond. One second-grade class explored honeybees, a subject their teacher found both fascinating and easy to connect to a number of learning standards and science concepts. Her unit, "Honeybees and Apple Trees: A Close Look at Nature's Balancing Act," explored…

Presents an activity in which students attempt to keep water at a constant temperature. Helps students in grades three to six hone their skills in prediction, observation, measurement, data collection, graphing, data analysis, and communication. (JRH)

In this article, the author describes another teacher's unique approach to teaching science in one unusual second grade classroom. Immediately upon entering the classroom, the author was surrounded by an array of colors, shapes, and objects typically found in a forest. A multitude of puppets, stuffed animals, and live animals filled the classroom.…

Introduces an interdisciplinary lesson based on the book "Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab," which was developed for young children. (YDS)

Describes a program investigating the history and technology of space exploration. Students work in space mission teams and assume the identities of the mission's astronauts. The unit includes a press conference simulation and integrates science, language arts, library skills, and cooperative group activities. (PVD)

Discusses reasons why inservice workshops often fail to impact science teaching. Describes restructuring of a workshop series so that teachers become real science learners, struggling with their own ideas about different scientific concepts as they design experiments and share theories with their peers. (JRH)

Introduces Project WRITE (World Resources for Integrated Thematic Education). Features six science-based units that include "American Revolution: People and Technology", "A Look Inside Ourselves", "Westward Ho!", "Animals and Humans Living Together", "Environmental Awareness", and "1800s: The…

Focuses on three approaches to integrated instruction: (1) literature-based; (2) theme-based; and (3) project-based. Each approach is explained and illustrated through descriptions of successful classroom examples. Literature-based integration utilizes a story to build a unit, thematic units are built around a topic, and project-based integration…

Describes a unit for the first grade that takes advantage of the fall seasonal changes to explore, be creative, and learn. Ties all the subject areas together through a look at leaves and trees. A list of resources is included. (JRH)