Littlejohn's Learnings: March 2012

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Science Talk:

In this podcast produced by the Science Sisters, they produce a fun video which takes students through the steps of a science experiment.
This video would be great to show students in preparation for the science fair. Sarah & Susie Science demonstrate the required steps of a science experiment.
In this video, the Science Sisters reinforce the science process for students so as to be successful in their individual experiments in the upcoming science fair.

In this video the Science Sisters conduct the egg floating experiment for the students. Upon reviewing the scientific process in the previous episode of the podcast, the sisters refer to this process throughout their experiment.
This video provides a step by step model of a science experiment using the scientific process as well as how to write it up for the science fair!
Helpful hints for success are also provided along the way of the experiment being conducted. Students are reminded of the hypothesis and to write down their observations/data.

Science: The New Teacher's Survival Guide:

In this podcast, a woman from the Ohio Resource Center speaks on how to perform labs with your students while still keeping a safe environment.
This podcast directly correlates with online resources at the ORC's website which include videos and handouts for your students on lab safety.
The ORC representative shares great ideas on unique ways to teach your students lab safety that include taking them on a field trip through the lab, watching video clips which you can use to make a fun game out of learning the rules, and more.
The combination of the tips shared in the podcast and the resources from the website create confidence in a hesitant teacher to share the benefits of lab time with elementary school students.
Check out this list of books recommended by the ORC on this topic!
ORC Corresponding Resources for "In the Lab"

In this episode, an ORC representative shares the importance of bringing in plants and animals into the classroom to encourage student observation and investigation.
Upon sharing the great importance of bringing plants and animals into the classroom, safety rules and regulations are shared. Various states and school districts differ in what is allowed in the classroom as well as what may be done with the species.
As long as these important regulations are followed the many activity, labs, and other suggestions provided in the conclusion of the episode may be conducted.
Recommended books about plants and animals in the classroom!
ORC Corresponding Resources for "Plants and Animals in the Classroom"

Science: The New Teacher's Survival Guide

Each podcast of Science: The New Teacher's Survival Guide focuses on a different area of teaching science. In each of these various podcasts, the Ohio Resource Center (ORC) presents helpful information for new teachers based on their findings with teachers in Ohio.
Though the examples include specifics of Ohio, the concepts are relevant to any teacher.
Each podcast in the series is overflowing with helpful information. The Ohio Resource Center encourages science in the classroom particularly in elementary school.
The Ohio Resource Center has accumulated data as to areas that new teachers struggle when it comes to teaching science and provide resources to these needs.

The resources are both spoken in their podcasts and then supported on their website with various articles, printables, etc.

Assessment is the most common struggle of new teachers in regards to science. Teachers struggle to assess both formally and informally, both at lesson end and unit end. The ORC speaks to all of these in this podcast of the series.
Various methods shared of how to turn released standardized test questions into higher level thinking questions.
These methods also serve as formal and informal assessments to allow the teacher to evaluate students' retention of new concepts.
The methods also include giving students the question and correct answer but requiring them to write as to why that is the correct answer. This method allows teachers to see what they know and how much of an understanding has been gained.

Very insightful section in regards to special needs students. The Ohio Resource Center greatly encourages teachers to make science accessible and available to this student group as well.
Strategies provided to make science hands on for this dynamic group of students that often is left out.

Tips, suggestions, and ideas provided for allowing elementary students lab experiences as well.
The ORC is aware of many schools' lack of teaching science at the elementary level. This podcast speaks advice of how to integrate science content into other areas, as well as find time slots within your daily schedule to make sure room is made for science teaching.

Science Talk:

Two elementary science teachers call themselves the Science Sisters and dress up in crazy scientist costumes complete with wigs, makeup, and silly glasses. The two make their videos dynamic and engaging appropriate for students to watch.
These videos would make excellent engagement pieces on the 5 E lesson plan, as they created to introduce the various topics. They also would be great as reinforcement of material. Often students need a manner of reviewing new concepts in a summative format to bring it all together. Note taking and even experimentation are not always enough, as some students miss the connection.
The Science Talk videos were encouraging and helpful to teachers. They are a strong reminder that science should be fun and engaging and how it is up to us as teachers to demonstrate that high level of engagement to our students. Not only did I find them to be a helpful reminder but also a boost of encouragement.
The Science Sisters demonstrate the joys of learning science in a hands on approach.
Episodes--

This first video introduces the characters of the videos as well as the concepts that will be covered within the series. It is an introduction video setting the stage for what is to come.

This video demonstrates a minute or so of an aerobics class and then discusses the principals of force and motion at work in your body during a class. The Science Sisters explain and relate the laws of force and motion in a student friendly manner connecting what they've learned in class to the demonstration they performed, and things more known in their world.

The Science Sisters discuss and review the second law of motion and perform various experiments and demonstrations that exhibit the law. Throughout the performances, the sisters explain what is occurring and why. Their explanation and vivid demonstrations once again make the curriculum concepts visual and relatable. The demonstration for this law is of a shopping cart race with two different men with a sizable difference in mass.

This fourth video discusses Newton's third law: for every action there is an equal but opposite reaction. The Science Sisters bring in a fellow teacher dressed up as their "brother" to perform another demo using different sized balls to show this principle.