A model elementary science program was established through cooperation of Washington, DC, schools and the National Science Teachers Association. The program is expected to be a model for techniques and strategies adaptable to other schools. Program content, instructional purposes, and the fully equipped laboratory used are discussed. (DH)

Describes a typical presentation in which slime is prepared for young, concrete operational students. Includes the procedures used and a summary written by a fourth-grade teacher after completing the slime experiment with her class. (JN)

Describes a unit on local history developed through the classification of projectile points which may be gathered on a field trip or viewed at a local museum. Suggestions for starting the unit and illustrating the nomenclature of projectile points are provided. (JM)

Meta-analysis techniques were used to synthesize research on the effectiveness of three major activity-based elementary science programs: (1) the Elementary Science Study, (2) Science--A Process Approach, and (3) the Science Curriculum Improvement Study. Implications for both widespread adoption and curricular decisions, as well as long term…

Presents suggestions of a veteran elementary science teacher on ways to improve teaching practices. These include teaching science every day, emphasizing discrepant events, delegating authority to students with greater caution, consistently involving female students in science activities, establishing plans for student evaluation in science, and…

Describes development of tests of student progress and instructional efficiency for 12 Science Curriculum Improvement Study (SCIS) units by the Fayette County (Kentucky) schools. Separate tests for each unit (grades one to six) were developed and a subset of items for each major part of a unit were identified. (JN)

Several suggestions are given related to the use of student-collected rocks in gaining understandings basic to the later mastery of concepts and principles of geology. Ideas related to language development, classification schemes, observation skills are suggested. (EB)

Third- and fourth-grade students were taught about constellations using either a constellation star field only or a constellation star field with an overlay of mythological constellation figures. Written tests and planetarium tests showed no significant difference in scores between these two groups. (MLH)

Discussed is the application of photography and photographs in the improvement of learning and intellectual development in the elementary classroom. (SL)

Presents an elementary science evaluation scheme as an alternative to letter grades. Provides criteria for four main areas of evaluation: tests, experiments, projects, and scientific interest of the child. (MLH)

Describes a community chemistry course for children aged 10-13 which emphasizes the recording of experimental observations in lab notebooks and the use of experiments that require few directions. (MLH)

Earth Works Central is an educational curriculum tool designed to provide environmental education support for the classroom. It features environmental materials for science, geography, history, art, music, dramatics, and physical education. It includes information on creating an environmental center where kids can learn and become empowered to…

The purpose of this research was to explore the usefulness of metaphor generation and analysis as a tool for reflection by prospective elementary teachers of science. An interpretive case study was conducted to investigate the changing beliefs of four prospective teachers about science learning and teaching. The main assertion that emerged from…

This game allows students to learn new science vocabulary and relevant facts about elephants. This bingo game is a valuable curriculum resource for any teacher who is teaching about elephants or other endangered animals. Directions for play, calling cards (six to a page), and play cards (four to a page), are included. (ASK)