- OneZoom. https://www.onezoom.org/life/@=304358#x1005,y444,w0.2513 This is a great site for viewing the relationships among life forms. You can keep zooming in to find different organisms and see where they are in relation to other life forms. See if you can find Humans.
- Climate Kids, a NASA site. https://climatekids.nasa.gov/
- Discovery Kids - now with AR resources. https://www.discoverymindblown.com/
- 10 Best STEM sites. A list with good reviews/pros and cons. https://www.bestkidstuff.com/tech/best-stem-websites-for-kids/
- And, a very good coding site - Code.org: https://code.org/
- Great site for free printables - https://researchparent.com/free-printables/
- Do it yourself projects - https://bigdiyideas.com/35-fun-diy-engineering-projects-kids/
Monday, March 30, 2020
INTERESTING SCIENCE EDUCATION SITES
These sites aren't really connected to an assignment, just interesting sites to visit - something you might use in the future.
Monday, March 23, 2020
UPDATES - MARCH 23
I've re-organized the website a bit, adding new Page Tabs (these are the Tabs across the top of the page) for materials and assignments. Much of the information has already been posted below, but I do have some new guidelines, examples, and links added to the Pages as well as the original Blog Post material. Please check out the new Pages and use the Page Tabs from now on, the information is more up to date and complete. I've also added new Pages for setting up your Google Drive and the Science Notebook assignment.
At this point, I still need to add information for the Practicum projects. That should be up in the next couple of days. NOW AVAILABLE
At this point, I still need to add information for the Practicum projects. That should be up in the next couple of days. NOW AVAILABLE
Sunday, March 22, 2020
STREAM KIT Example
I've linked to an example of what a STREAM project might look like for the backpack option. There are really three main components to the kit: the first is an introduction that gives a general idea of what the kit is about. For example in the kit I've linked to, the idea is learning about Virginia nature by studying what's available in a backyard or schoolyard. Emphasis is on observing - writing and sketching - and identifying. Then there is a part lists for materials and resources with links where needed. The third part would be the instructions/activities for the kits. Remember these kits might be used by parents who don't know much about nature or science, so provide clear guides as to what thing might be done with the kits. Try to come up with activities that make use of the components of the kits. This is the most important part of the kit. Don't forget to include activities that focus on reading and arts. Also, include relevant children's' lit books.
IMPORTANT! Unfortunately, these will all be digital kits. So, you won't be printing out the materials. What you can do is provide a link and describe in clear detail how it can be used. For the activities in the kit (I've asked you to do at least 4) don't just list the link. Describe how it fits the kit you've developed, add additional resources or worksheets that you might find on Pinterest and include these images, list and describe handouts/worksheets that would be included. Make the activities as complete as possible. For Example, a good resource for sketching/drawing is here. For my kit, I would print this out and include it in the backpack. Since these kits are digital I won't print it out, but I'll list it in the activity, describe it, and talk about how it should be used.
Click here to see a brief example.
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
Sunday, March 15, 2020
ONLINE CLASS
Since we're not sure when face-to-face classes will resume I'll start by outlining what we'll do online for the next 3-4 weeks. Rather than listing class by class activities, I'd like to provide a description of the four major activities you can work on and you can decide how to best allot your time over the next few weeks. I will post updates from time to time and if you have any questions please e-mail me.
So, to begin:
Your Unit. We've discussed this in some detail, and I've posted guidelines for the unit on this website. I think this is something you can work on individually and complete by the day of the final.
STREAM Project. The assignment description is posted on this website. Ideally, this could have been an individual or small group project (and if you are able to work online with another student or two, please do so.) I'm guessing at this point it will be an individual project for most of you, but that may depend on when we can meet in the classroom again.
If we were meeting as usual, we would have been looking at several examples of completed projects and discussing what materials you might need to gather for your project. The best approach for now is to consider this a "wish list" project. That means still plan the activities, locate and price materials (Amazon is a great site for lots of this stuff, also many online science kit sites), look for appropriate children's lit books or resources. You can think of this as a possible grant application you might develop in the future. So - it's all on paper for now. As we get closer to the end of the semester, I'll provide more info about the format for what you'll be turning in and give you an example completed assignment.
Demonstration/Mini-Lecture. This assignment would have you develop a 5 minute lecture on an SOL topic. Your audience for this would have been the grade level students, but it would be presented to the 303 class. The lecture would include a simple science demonstration that would help students understand the concept you're teaching. There are tons of good examples of elementary science demos online, one example: https://www.keslerscience.com/a-science-demo-day-that-students-will-never-forget/You can also look at Pinterest. The demo should be interesting and help students understand the concept you've been talking about. You should plan on using very simple materials - and practicing the demo to make sure it works.
So, for now, you can start deciding which SOL you'll use, outline your mini-lecture, and find a good demo. The key is finding a demo that really helps students understand the concept you're talking about. I don't know if we will do this in class - depends on when we return - but you can start planning. If we don't do this in class, you will turn in a one-page outline of your mini-lecture and a one-page description of your demonstration activity, listing materials and procedure, and a reference for where you found the demo.
Small Group Teaching. For this assignment, you would be sitting at a table with four or five classmates. Each person would take a turn leading a 12 minute small group lesson on an SOL concept. You can choose any grade level and any science SOL. The lesson would be a brief intro to a concept, then an activity that has students making some sort of learning aid (lapbook, foldable, cards) related to the concept, then a closure reviewing the learning aid and how students might use it. Pinterest is a great site for this.
We usually do this activity the last day of class, so you have time to develop this one.
Practicum. This really depends on how soon we'll be back and when the schools re-open. If it's looking like you won't get your 20 hours, I have a number of projects for you to work on that will involve developing teaching materials and resources for the schools and public libraries. I'll post a description of these later, when we will have a better idea of how much practicum time you'll still need.
So, to begin:
Your Unit. We've discussed this in some detail, and I've posted guidelines for the unit on this website. I think this is something you can work on individually and complete by the day of the final.
STREAM Project. The assignment description is posted on this website. Ideally, this could have been an individual or small group project (and if you are able to work online with another student or two, please do so.) I'm guessing at this point it will be an individual project for most of you, but that may depend on when we can meet in the classroom again.
If we were meeting as usual, we would have been looking at several examples of completed projects and discussing what materials you might need to gather for your project. The best approach for now is to consider this a "wish list" project. That means still plan the activities, locate and price materials (Amazon is a great site for lots of this stuff, also many online science kit sites), look for appropriate children's lit books or resources. You can think of this as a possible grant application you might develop in the future. So - it's all on paper for now. As we get closer to the end of the semester, I'll provide more info about the format for what you'll be turning in and give you an example completed assignment.
Demonstration/Mini-Lecture. This assignment would have you develop a 5 minute lecture on an SOL topic. Your audience for this would have been the grade level students, but it would be presented to the 303 class. The lecture would include a simple science demonstration that would help students understand the concept you're teaching. There are tons of good examples of elementary science demos online, one example: https://www.keslerscience.com/a-science-demo-day-that-students-will-never-forget/You can also look at Pinterest. The demo should be interesting and help students understand the concept you've been talking about. You should plan on using very simple materials - and practicing the demo to make sure it works.
So, for now, you can start deciding which SOL you'll use, outline your mini-lecture, and find a good demo. The key is finding a demo that really helps students understand the concept you're talking about. I don't know if we will do this in class - depends on when we return - but you can start planning. If we don't do this in class, you will turn in a one-page outline of your mini-lecture and a one-page description of your demonstration activity, listing materials and procedure, and a reference for where you found the demo.
Small Group Teaching. For this assignment, you would be sitting at a table with four or five classmates. Each person would take a turn leading a 12 minute small group lesson on an SOL concept. You can choose any grade level and any science SOL. The lesson would be a brief intro to a concept, then an activity that has students making some sort of learning aid (lapbook, foldable, cards) related to the concept, then a closure reviewing the learning aid and how students might use it. Pinterest is a great site for this.
We usually do this activity the last day of class, so you have time to develop this one.
Practicum. This really depends on how soon we'll be back and when the schools re-open. If it's looking like you won't get your 20 hours, I have a number of projects for you to work on that will involve developing teaching materials and resources for the schools and public libraries. I'll post a description of these later, when we will have a better idea of how much practicum time you'll still need.
Sunday, March 8, 2020
STREAM PROJECT
Environmental
Education STREAM (Science Technology Reading Engineering Arts Mathematics)
Project
There
are two options for this project. You
can work individually or in a group of 2 or 3.
No groups larger than 3.
Option
1. KIWI-type Science Discovery Box. Any Science SOL. A collection of materials and documents that
can be used to teach a particular science concept. Should include components from Reading,
Science and at least one other area from STREAM. For examples of kits, go to www.kiwico.com
and look at the Kiwi, Atlas, Doodle, or Tinker crate Lines (you’ll find these
by under the OUR LINES tab on the website.)
When you go to the Line, you can see sample crates. We also have several crates in the classroom. Start planning early so that any needed
materials can be ordered.
Option
2. Outdoor Teaching Backpack. The backpack will contain materials and
resources. Should include components from Reading, Science and at least one
other area from STREAM and focused on environmental education topics. Go to https://www.homesciencetools.com/science-kits/biology-nature-kits/
to see examples. The focus of the kits
should be local plants/animals/insects/environments. We have viewers, small microscopes, and lots
of other materials available and additional items can be ordered.
The
completed kits will be placed in local school or public library spaces. They could be used by teachers or parents. Since your names (if you wish) and the
College of Education will be associated with these project kits, it’s important
that things like grammar, age appropriateness, and safety are considered as you
develop your kit.
Due Date: Day of Final Exam
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