Welcome back for Part 4 in my Getting Started Series. Last week I presented how to get started with Writing. My goal is to provide you with a simple easy to follow plan, to make teaching and learning less overwhelming. Each week I will provide one tip. While I know I could go into more details and give you more ideas to do with each subject, my intent is to keep it as simple as possible and get you started. This week I will show you simple tips for getting started with Science at home.
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Don’t Worry
Maybe you feel like you don’t know anything about Science. Do you wonder what scientific terms to use? What should you be teaching? Does Science scare you because you were never good at it in school? It’s okay. My suggestion for starting at home for any learner young or old is to look for science everywhere. While I highly suggest getting to know the National Science Standards, I also think that you can start teaching Science today!
Teacher Tip:
Science is Everywhere!
Help your learner develop an inquisitive nature by modeling a love for how things work, questioning the world around you and documenting what you learn from those questions.
For more on the science curriculum I was trained in, Check out Foss Science Curriculum.
Getting Started With Science
What do I need?
* Materials for exploration (this can be anything you want your learner to notice… Right now we are using Rocks)
* Journal to keep notes or drawing (optional)
* Writing utensil to record information (optional)
* Magnifying glass (optional)
Since this is an introductory lesson, you can simply get started with the conversations and slowly move to documenting your learning. If this is brand new for you, your focus will be on the conversations and the investigative nature you are fostering. Tip: A child is never too young to document their learning so don’t be afraid.
Set-up
* Place 3-5 items of interest in the middle of an inviting space (for example: various shaped rocks)
* Have paper and pencils ready for children to document their observations
(other ways to document learning can include models, sculptures, dramatic play, paintings and more)
Remember: Science is EVERYWHERE! So you can simply have no set up at all, and walk outside for your lesson today.
What do I do?
* Encourage your learner to observe the objects
* Ask guiding questions without telling your learner all of the information
* Encourage children to make predictions before, during and after explorations
* Model how to look at the item and draw what you see
* For younger children guide their investigations with “I wonder..” statements
* For older children allow them time to try “what if” experiments
What am I looking for?
* Does my scientist notice characteristics?
* Are they willing to make mistakes?
* Are they using scientific vocabulary?
* How are they showing what they know?
* Are they able to ask questions about the items?
What do I say? What Questions Can I ask?
* What do you notice?
* Why do you think ….?
* What happened when…?
* How are these the same?
* How are these different?
* I wonder what would happen if…?
* What is one thing we could change?
* How do you know…?
* How can we find out..?
* What does this remind you of?
Don’t forget to download these 10 Science Questions as a printable!
While I know there is so much more to Science, I am simply providing a starting point. This lesson is intended for any age. With younger scientist you will focus much more on the experience and developing the early concepts (building blocks). As the children progress in age/ability you will want to focus more on the content, terms and scientific method. Instead
I plan to write posts in the future about specific strategies I have learned over my 12 years of teaching experience. What would you like tips on? For now, I will be continuing the getting started series. You get to decide what you see next:
Art
Social Studies
Project Approach
Routines
Organizing Materials
Fostering Independence
You decide!
I can’t wait to hear what you would like to see next. I am open to any and all suggestions. Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, Instagram or subscribe by email. I can’t wait to hear your ideas.
Did you see the other Posts in the Getting Started Series?
Getting Started with Math
Getting Started with Reading
Getting Started with Writing
Good post! Just a simple attempt to slow down and focus on interesting objects bring a scientist in even youngest children.
Thank you! I agree that even the youngest child can be a scientist and the older children can benefit from us remembering to not give them the answers all the time. Many times my children (6 and 8) ask me questions about how things work… and I respond with “How could we find out?”
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Perfect, Dayna! Just what I’m looking for to get people started. I’m referencing this post in my ebook.
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