According to Richard Louv, author of "Last Child in the Woods," "disconnection from nature...has enormous implications for human health and child development...Children need nature for the healthy development of their senses, and therefore, for learning and creativity" (2005). How can science teachers help their students learn…

Amphibians, a class of vertebrates consisting of frogs and toads, salamanders, and caecilians, are excellent organisms for middle school science students to study because of their ecological significance. Because they exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide through their skin, amphibians absorb any chemicals or substances present in their immediate…

Every schoolyard presents a wealth of opportunities for science exploration. To capitalize on this resource, the authors developed an activity in which students assessed whether their schoolyard could provide a viable habitat for treefrogs. This inquiry-based module was composed of three lessons: A Hoppin' Treefrog Adventure, Field Research Means…

After searching for an innovative and interactive project that would not only involve the students, but would also be a benefit to the scientific community and to the natural world, the author created an exotic frog nursery-a long-term project that approached science not as a subject full of categories and definitions, but as an ongoing process in…

Indicates the importance of the interdisciplinary approach in teaching and learning. Recommends using grids in curriculum design for the integration of concepts such as art, math, and science. (YDS)

Presents a student project in which students in groups of three or four study an animal type using different learning styles and methods, including electronic media. (YDS)

The slime trails of snails lead the author's students to a better understanding of science as inquiry and the processes of science. During this five-day activity, students get up close and personal with one of her favorite creatures, the land snail. Students begin by observing the organism and recording their observations. After making initial…