One of the biggest challenges in the early weeks of the new school year is to keep learning interesting and the students engaged as routines and procedures are established and reinforced. How can a classroom teacher make the routines and procedures engaging and educational, while building a community of learners? The answer is simple... build a…

Outlines the development of an after school science club in which students find a science topic of interest and create a storyboard through photographs. Includes tips for shooting photographs and equipment suggestions. (DDR)

Describes sensory boxes which are colorful, simple and inexpensive devices which stimulate skill of observation, communication and classification in lower elementary children. (BR)

Advocates the use of the environment as a learning tool to increase student achievement, motivation, and skills in lifelong learning. Includes a number of tips to assist teachers in taking it outside. (DDR)

Describes activities which help students understand several basic scientific concepts regarding water. Outlines objectives, materials needed, procedures, and questions to ask about student observations. Investigations include working with the self-sealing property of water, talcum powder, paper clips, and making water wetter. (RT)

Discusses a research project of testing detergents that resulted from students' classroom observations of and questions about water pollution and suds. Outlines procedures and responsibilities necessary for conducting the experiment. A sample student data sheet is included. (RT)

Provides a poster which focuses on how electricity is made, distributed, and used by the community. Includes a vocabulary list with definitions, additional information, and illustrations on topics such as thermoelectricity, static electricity, and electric current. (RT)

Provides ideas on the use of toys to introduce scientific concepts. Describes lessons for laboratory activities using motion toys, synthesis activities for ending a unit, and other activities involving writing and speaking skills. (RT)

Described is a lesson in which students are taught how to use a compass and determine where they are heading. Provided are detailed instructions, illustrations, reproducible task cards, additional activities, and an answer key. (RT)

Discusses the controversy involving the effectiveness of elementary science curricula projects of the sixties and seventies. Reports on a synthesis of the research, student performance, implications, and improvements for the future. States that these innovative programs were more effective in raising student performance and attitudes than…

Describes science activities which use simple chemical tests to distinguish between materials and to determine some of their properties. Explains the water, iodine, heat, acid, baking soda, acid/base indicator, glucose, and sugar tests. Includes activities to enhance chemical testing and a list of suggested powders for use. (RT)

Presented are lessons which bridge the gap between concrete and abstract ideas by introducing students to the valuable idea of scale as it relates to space science. Included are information and activities on relative size, position, and orbital patterns of planets using mathematics to construct models. (RT)

Makes use of natural language of the beginning reader to teach a unit on dinosaurs. Outlines steps in the approach, strategies to heighten awareness and application, questions for encouraging further study, and a webbing technique. (RT)

Explains a lesson in which the scientific method is used as a teaching strategy. Discusses when this approach can be used, the interdisciplinary method, and sample science concepts that can be appropriately taught this way. (RT)

Explains the development of a science program which was initiated to help students, parents, and other teachers appreciate science. Provides a list of materials needed, procedures, questions, and objectives for performing two of the 30 activities used in the project. (RT)