Last year, our school's Lego League group presented their final project which was to create an invention that helps people live their lives with strength despite limitations. The children came up with a terrific invention.
As I think ahead to next year's science curriculum, I want to make sure that we are working on science that matters--projects, investigations, and explorations that introduce the main concepts, skills, and knowledge, and projects that also leave students thinking about how they can use that knowledge to better their world, communities, or lives.
We'll start with a nature focus as children make models and use science vocabulary to introduce themselves and their favorite natural places to our learning community. I believe that this activity will personalize our overall focus on systems thus rooting the vocabulary, overarching concepts, and questions well.
Next we'll embark on a number of explorations throughout the year that relate to each science study area with the theme of systems and interdependence. That's where my research begins. How can I take the current projects and process and make sure that the investigations are meaningful with a 1-2-3 focus: one for review of past concepts, two for grade level standards, and three for enrichment and independent study.
I want our science explorations and learning to be learning times that students look forward to each week, and learning that students think about and talk about before and after the learning event. I know that's the kind of learning that sticks, engages, and motivates future learning.
What science study do you promote that fits this intent? What resources do you use to support your study? What routines, structure, and process underly your successful science teaching? If you have posts, links, experts, or other information that matches this quest, please let me know.
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