16 responses to “Seeking Advice and Encouragement for Preservice Elementary Teachers of Science”

1. 

   Buck Cooper

   January 3, 2013

   The way you teach science doesn’t have to look like the way you were taught science for it to be effective, just because it worked for you then, doesn’t mean it works for your children now,

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2. 

   Chris Ohana

   January 3, 2013

   1. Science can be fun but it is fun because it is challenging and rewarding.
   2. Teach science for meaning…not just to define a vocabulary word or to move through the science kit
   3. Teach kids how to make claims, devise explanations and challenge the claims of others.
   4. Learning science should be a right of everyone– not the privilege of the wealthy or most academically adept
   5. It is malpractice to deny kids the right to understand and wonder about the natural world. I hope new teachers develop the understanding that science (or social studies or art) is not an extra but rather foundational to an education.

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   1. 

      science_4_all

      January 3, 2013

      Thanks Chris- these are great words of wisdom

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   2. 

      Dana Spink

      January 3, 2013

      I wholeheartedly agree with Chris!

      Reply
3. 

   Luann Lee

   January 3, 2013

   Please help them understand that an hypothesis is not an educated guess that, once sort of proved, becomes a theory, which, when it is proven beyond question, becomes a law. Please. How many misconceptions are promoted within this one single statement?

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4. 

   Dana Spink

   January 3, 2013

   Get your students outside. Try to incorporate project based learning which can integrate inquiry, STEM, and support other language arts content areas. Students thrive on science that is relevant to them and their community area.

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   1. 

      science_4_all

      January 3, 2013

      Well said 🙂

      Reply
5. 

   Cheryl

   January 3, 2013

   Look for the Phil Bell and Leah Bricker article in the November issue of Science and Children. Have the teachers read the description of the primary and the intermediate units. They are great descriptions of the kind of science that your readers are describing!

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   1. 

      science_4_all

      January 4, 2013

      Thanks Cheryl- that is s great article

      Reply
6. 

   Jane Hatzinger

   January 4, 2013

   The biggest shift in the way I teach science is the realization that science isn’t “something we do”, but rather a way of thinking about the world around us. Integration is the key! Our building schedule is very tight and leaves almost zero time for a dedicated science period, so I am constantly teaching inquiry, systems and concepts through literature connections, math and writing. Thanks to Kirk for showing me the way!

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   1. 

      science_4_all

      January 4, 2013

      Thanks for sharing this Jane- the issue of time is such a problem for teaching anything outside of reading and math

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7. 

   Chris Ohana

   January 4, 2013

   I’d love to share syllabi and learning activities with others

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   1. 

      science_4_all

      January 4, 2013

      this is a good idea Chris.. it would be nice to get a learning network of “teachers of teachers of science” beyond Washington state collaborating

      Reply
8. 

   Kim Klinke

   January 7, 2013

   Who better to be teaching these future teachers than you Kirk–they are fortunate to be learning from you. I agree with the feedback you have received so far, but would add a less concrete item to your list…elementary science teachers need to feel valued in the science education K-12 picture. Have them look at the Atlas, Ready-Set-Science!, the Framework for K-12 Science Education, etc. to see just how important their work is to achieve science/STEM literacy and career-college readiness for all kids. I think they need to hear this message a lot, internalize that knowledge and belief, so that they can advocate for elementary science in their buildings/districts when they begin their teaching careers.

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   1. 

      science_4_all

      January 7, 2013

      Thanks for the kind words 🙂
      And I agree, helping elementary teachers to see the value of their role and to be advocates for science education is critical.

      Reply
9. 

   kguhin

   January 12, 2013

   Encourage the students to ask questions, even if it makes you uncomfortable because you don’t know the answers. You don’t have to know all of the answers! Teach the students to find their own answers in books and on the internet.

   Second, have lots of things in your room for the students to touch. A teacher I worked with had a “touch table” at the back of the room that she changed every month or two. Her 4th graders loved it! They would cluster back there whenever there was a break in the day. The students could look through simple microscopes, compare different rocks, touch animal pelts and feathers, examine pine cones, and lots of other stuff. The students’ interest in science class sky-rocketed as a result.

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