Through retelling, students can begin to attach sense and meaning to the sometimes complex concepts they encounter in science texts. Also, the shift from silent thinking to verbal expression causes the brain to consolidate and integrate new ideas. As students share information through retelling, they gain new perspectives on the text as they hear…

Focuses on how to motivate students to learn science and provides a chart of 11 reasons for student motivation. (Contains 13 references.) (YDS)

Provides information about each of the planets in our solar system. Focuses on information related to the space missions that have visited or flown near each planet, and includes a summary of what is known about some of the features of each planet. (DDR)

Describes a seventh-grade science course that is based on the phenology of the seasons, uses the outdoors on a regular basis, and uses reference books and field guides. (DDR)

Presents a modification of a procedure for making and launching hot air balloons made out of garbage bags. Student instructions for balloon construction, launching instructions, and scale diagrams are included. (DDR)

Discusses display gardens and their development by students. Presents guidelines for construction and size consideration and describes details of an outdoor garden, volcanic garden, and shoe box dioramas. (DDR)

Presents an activity that focuses on insects and the choices they make in response to sensory input. Involves students and teachers in inquiry-oriented investigations and presents details of preparation, a discussion of the teacher's role, and a materials list. (DDR)

Details the use of computer technology for classroom presentations to students. Includes tips on software, hardware, and monitoring student opinion. (DDR)

Advises new science teachers and lists Gardner's multiple intelligences and strategies for learning. Recommends providing a safe learning environment for students. (YDS)

Presents activities on persistence of vision that involve students in a hands-on approach to the study of early methods of creating motion pictures. Students construct flip books, a Zoetrope, and an early movie machine. (DDR)

Recommends that teachers try putting a new twist on classic experiments to focus and motivate students to learn science. Argues that dissonance or discrepancy can be introduced into many activities. Focuses on gloop (a puttylike substance). (DDR)

Presents an activity designed to provide students with opportunities to practice drawing atomic models and discover the logical pairings of whole families on the periodic table. Follows the format of a television game show. (DDR)

Focuses on the development of graphing skills through a data collection activity that answers the question of the relationship between rubber band width and flight distance. Includes definitions of terms and instructions for helping students construct line and bar graphs. (DDR)

Focuses on the use of push and go toys to discuss with students how the toy acquires potential energy when work is done on it and how this energy is stored in the internal mechanism for later conversion into kinetic energy. (DDR)

Presents a version of the crush-the-can demonstration which is a hands-on activity in which students use an inexpensive, easily made holder for the can called Charlie's clamp. Includes some suggestions for the follow-up discussion. (DDR)