Children are more attentive and retain more knowledge if they are actively involved in a learning activity, instead of just listening to a teacher give a lecture. Fortunately, many science concepts lend themselves to activities that can be easily carried out in the classroom.
Verbal learners, or verbal/visual learners, are people who learn most effectively by reading and observing processes on their own, according to the Center for the Enhancement of Teaching. Verbal learners sometimes have problems in science classes because of the heavy lecture component of the classes. While textbooks help these learners understand the basic concepts of the course, the students must often depend on oral instructions to complete the lab activities.
Hands-on science not only plays to children's bent for experiential learning but the movement also provides an outlet for their energy which engages all the senses to optimize the learning process. Science activities to promote active learners help children figure out scientific principles through investigation and experimentation. Outings or field trips stimulates curiosity through first hand observation of real world science in action.
Successful classroom learning marries the vast array of learner styles with the subjects of learning. Teachers must take student learning characteristics, or "differentiation," into account when developing lessons. Science may boil down to elements and experiments, but differentiated instruction deploys multiple strategies for learning them. Ultimately, differentiated science activities collectively retain individual students' strengths while building on weaknesses in a class setting.
The five major types of precipitation include rain, snow, freezing rain, hail and sleet. Above surface temperatures affect precipitation formation, causing a conversion of liquid to frozen precipitation with variations in between. Science activities on the forms of precipitation explore the different types, causes, occurrences and factors related to each type. You can adapt these activities for different age groups.
Encouraging children to participate in science activities centered around bugs is a great way to introduce them to insects that are a vital part of our ecosystem. By setting up fun and interesting projects around bugs, you're sure to set a few future entomologists down the path towards knowledge.
In many elementary classrooms, science lessons take the form of turns at a sensory table. Tables of this type are filled with an assortment of objects with interesting textures, allowing students to learn about the world around them in a tactile fashion. As Halloween approaches, consider outfitting your table with activities representative of the holiday, as doing so will likely prove an effective way to capture student attention and get them excited about the season.
Take lessons on animal classification out of the doldrums. Change the routine of reading and answering questions to highly anticipated lessons taught through activities and games. Create lessons that help students form long-term memories by engaging their senses through tried-and-true activities, field trips and games.
Man-made polymers, more commonly known as “plastics”, are used everywhere in our society. From the polyethylene used in milk jugs to the polystyrene used to package fragile goods, the world would be a very different place without them. Yet the molecules used to make them, monomers, are tiny. Only when they are joined together into polymers can they have such versatile uses.
Topics like chromosome pairing can be confusing, with lectures leaving students feeling lost if they use unfamiliar vocabulary. Activities can draw in even students who are not interested in science by providing them with items and models to work with and manipulate. Drawing comparisons between chromosome pairing and other topics can also add interest. With a little preparation and creativity, learning about chromosome pairing can be interesting for any student.
Students value science most by engaging in hands-on experiments and inquiry-based learning (NSTA). This is only logical because scientific thought is based on developing hypotheses and testing those hypotheses. Give your students the opportunity to excel in science class by including activities in as many units as possible. Even units teaching parts of the cell, such as cytoplasm, mitochondria and chloroplasm, can be taught with hands-on learning activities.
Science is not always graspable to all students. For those with an emotive personality, science can seem dry. Yet, experiments can reflect the human condition in metaphorical ways. Just as compositions are altered and manipulated, we, too, feel differently according to an external modification in our environment. Incorporating the human array of emotions such as anger and happiness into the experiments makes science more relevant and enjoyable for students.
Childbirth is a special time in our lives and most women give birth without complications. Each birth is different, however, and being prepared is important. Childbirth education classes provide insight and understanding of what to expect during delivery. Childbirth is a complex physical process that is susceptible to complications. Options to consider if unexpected circumstances develop can be written down in a flexible birth plan. Preferences for delivery and labor can be shared with your doctor and family.
Science is everywhere around us, so why wait to start exposing kids to it? Children are learning from the moment they are born and that means they are ready, willing and able to take in new information on multiple topics early in life. Unlike daycare facilities of the past, today's preschools often excel at teaching subjects like science in a simple way aimed at preschoolers.
Performing simple science experiments at home with your kids is an educational past time. There are endless experiments that require simple ingredients found in the home which will create big results. Illustrating the fun side of science can help to spark lifelong interest, helping your child at school.
Infants are naturally curious to learn about the world that surrounds them. From touching building blocks to moving toy cars across the floor, babies are always exploring. Science is important to infants because it taps into and nurtures this natural curiosity. While they may not be old enough to comprehend more complicated science ideas, you can use the subject to help them better understand their surroundings.
Forensic science (also referred to as forensics) is the stream that applies to a wide range of scientific principles and methodology for the purpose of gathering evidence in civil or criminal cases. The primary focus of forensic research is the authentication or further analysis of some sample (or corpse) found at the scene of a crime.
A science project is an education activity or experiment conducted by students, usually used to teach or enforce a science concept. A science project can also be entered into school and community science fairs. Students can perform various science projects using many different household items, such as a cookie sheet.
Teaching kids about bugs can be fun when it's taken out of the textbook and made interactive. You don't have to actually bring bugs into the classroom if you're squeamish; instead, use different activities to give your students or children a new way to learn about bugs that they'll enjoy and remember.
A child's job is learning, and the primary tools for this are through exploration and play. As babies, they explore through touching and putting everything in their mouths. By preschool age, they start to understand basic science principles, such as spacial arrangement and measurement. Their desire to manipulate, explore and learn can be enhanced in the classroom and at home by giving them plenty of chances to experience the world in a scientific way.