We survived Hurricane Ike...

with a little damage from flooding, 2 long weeks without school, and a month of catch-up. Missing those early weeks made it feel like we started the school year in October, because we had to go back and reteach and reinforce procedures just like we did in August.

We finished out the physical science units (we'll be reteaching those in the spring, though).

Next come earth science - my favorite! What great ideas do you have for teaching the very abstract and elusive earth science objectives?

Measurement Matters

Just for fun - a quick, eye-opening assessment for tools and measurement.

My table teams have jobs, as many of yours do. I asked for all 4 Engineers to go to the area where we keep the tools and bring me a tool that can measure length.

I did this with every grade from 2nd-5th. Invariably, the tool they picked first was the triple-beam balance. Then the graduated cylinder.

When I changed the question to bring me a tool that can measure "how long" something is, then I started to get rulers, meter sticks and measuring tapes. Obviously, they have not internalized what "length" means. This is something we will work on all year.

I continued this game for volume, temperature, mass, direction, time and tools that make things look bigger. I had them write the names of the tools for each measurement in their notebook and draw a picture of it. Then I added the tool to the word wall, along with what it measures.

The benefit was that both I and the classroom teacher knew immediately where we needed to start with measurement AND the children know where to find the tools.

How will you teach safety?

Safety is a serious issue that effects the daily flow of the science lab. Depending on how you introduce it, you can impact students in such a way that keeps it in their minds for an hour, a day or a year. So...what are your ideas for teaching safety? I'll start by sharing mine.

I teach science lab for 2nd -5th grades. All students must have a safety contract signed by both their parent and themself in order to participate in the hands-on. This has been a great deterrent to severe accidents for the past few years.

• Second-graders are introduced to the safety rules by stuffed animals. These animals just can't seem to remember the rules, though. Each student gets an opportunity to "catch" an animal breaking the rule. The student explains what is wrong, demonstrates the correct rule, and puts the animal in Time Out. Oh the drama!


• Third grade puts their analytical abilities to the test as they observe a mime (me) conducting a scientific investigation. In their table groups, they discuss what the scientist did correctly and incorrectly. Then one student reports their findings to the class. They then create posters advertising the science safety rules. These posters are hung inside and outside the lab to help everyone remember the rules.


• Fourth grade act out various scenarios. The other table teams indicate when a rule is broken. It takes a few minutes, but those interpersonal learners really get into this.


• Fifth-graders work in teams of detectives to solve crime scenes involving broken science safety rules. They collect evidence, write a report and convince the district attorney (lab teacher) that they have a case. Once the DA agrees, they present their case to the judge (classroom teacher) for a verdict and a grade.

What are your great ideas? Please share!

Welcome!

This blog is for all elementary science teachers to share ideas and strategies. Please keep your communications professional.

I have taught elementary science lab in an inner-city, Title I school for the past 5 years. We just received authorization as an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme in August.

I hope that by sharing ideas we can increase the level of science literacy in our nation.

If you want to add an idea or question to a topic, please leave it as a comment.

If you want to introduce a new topic, e-mail me.