Discusses effective ways of using children's journals in science teaching and methods for assessing children's journals for science learning. Emphasizes the importance of children's own cognitive and verbal efforts to make sense of science phenomena. (JRH)

Presents activities that allow students to think about the Earth in a contextual manner and become familiar with constructive and destructive processes as they relate to sand - its origins, cyclical processes, and yielding of new products. Explores the bigger idea with a developmentally appropriate study of water, rocks, sand, physical phenomena,…

Presents a rationale for including experiences that draw profound reactions of pleasure or revulsion in the science classroom. Provides some suggestions for using them effectively. Discusses content knowledge, process skills, language development, scientific attitudes, tips for using novel experiences, and marveling at mysteries. (JRH)

Investigates students' ideas about gravity beyond the earth's surface. Presents a lesson plan designed to help students understand that gravity can act beyond Earth's atmosphere. Also helps students gain a more adequate intuitive understanding of how natural and artificial satellites stay in orbit. Reports that this strategy changed some students'…

The results of a study conducted with elementary school students in Tanzania are presented. A number of alternative conceptions were revealed. The role of sociocultural beliefs in forming these conceptions is described, and the implications of these findings for science teaching and teacher education are discussed. (Author/CW)

Discussed are the reasons for the changing of the seasons on earth. Included are 27 activities which can be used to teach geography and the seasons. Diagrams of planetary motion and climatographs are presented. (CW)

An activity is described in which students learn modeling skills by creating concrete models with familiar objects. Teaching methods, materials, procedures, and outcomes are discussed. (CW)

Activity suggestions for the months of September and October are provided in a calendar format. In addition, two activity sheets, which provide detailed information for studying the moon and the alphabet including materials, and procedures are provided. (CW)

Presented are the results of a survey of elementary school teachers in the state of Illinois. Results are compared to a previous survey conducted 10 years earlier. Discussed are obstacles to science instruction, teacher training, teacher attitudes, student evaluation, and school and community support. (CW)

An overview of a program to overcome the lack of activity and relevancy in the elementary school by providing elementary students with hands-on science experiments that they can complete at home is given. Activities for second- and third-grade students are described and results are discussed. (CW)

The hypothesis that males will perform better on items containing masculine content and girls will score higher on feminine content items was tested with data from a training study intended to improve the ability of 11-year olds to design a controlled experiment. The findings provide weak support for the hypothesis. (Author/YP)

Provided is a brief overview of why science, society and technology (STS) education should be included in precollege science education. Summarizes selected literature on the topic in relation to environmental education. Lists goals and competencies for skills, and awareness of STS concepts. (CW)

Presents an activity for upper elementary students called "Soil Structure and Ground Water." Provides procedures, materials, key concepts, background, and extensions. (YP)

Examines the possible advantages of subject area specialists for elementary science. Discusses four different implementation models: (1) Physical education teacher model; (2) Media center model; (3) Departmentalized model; and (4) School-within-a-school model. (YP)

Provided are suggestions for 23 different activities which can be used to discuss and investigate ocean currents and how they affect human activity. Several maps and charts accompany the activities. A list of 15 resources is included. (CW)