So much information……so little time……Oh my….
My assignment for this week involves seeking out resources and materials that will assist me in learning what I need to know to teach a 3rd grade science unit involving changes at “X” Elementary School. It’s time for me to roll up my sleeves and dig in to learn everything I can about this fascinating unit. I begin my quest to learn all I can to teach this classroom of inquisitive budding scientists. I know that I will need to be engaging, confident, and knowledgeable about the material I present. My mission will be to absorb as much information as I can with resources that are available to me. The neat thing will be that I will continue to learn as we prepare for each subsequent lesson.
I need to be cognizant of the fact that this lesson will be geared to a 3rd grade classroom and that my instruction must be at an understandable level. As I think about preparing for the lesson I need to continually remind myself that I will need reliable resources that will teach me and yet peak a 3rd graders interest. My goal is to present the information in this lesson in a way that they find meaningful. The following are a list of ideas that I hope will help me in grasping the content before my “big day”. I am off and running………………… 
The search results in some of the following:
•CHEM4kids.com – very useful information on changing states of matter. The information is clear, concise, simple and there is even a quiz at the end to take which determined my level of knowledge regarding this content area.
• I revisited our old friends Tim and Mobey from Brainpop and watched their clip on changing states of matter for a brief overview and took their quiz as well. This is a really great way to kick off our lesson because it is simple, visual, and humorous (which I will infer will reach most of our students.)
•The learningscience.org website introduced me to an interactive web program on changes in matter where I could actually click on water to watch it boil and also freeze. It was a very engaging and fun activity.
•I also plan to visit Borders and scan the children’s section for some books that explain change in an interesting way. Keeping it simple…
Immersing myself in all of these resources made me realize how much information is available to us as teachers if we know where to look.
Here is to getting SCIENCE SMART on the unit of CHANGES, my fellow peers!
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteWe had a few of the same websites and I am excited about digging in and getting started! I agree with you when you talk about how it is going to be difficult to find information for the students that will peak their interest and inform you. I feel the best way to learn again, is to learn as a student. I like to use websites that are simple and for students because they make it easier for me to remind myself what I am learning about! Great job on the post! :)
Kathy,
ReplyDeleteGreat Post! I love the pictures you included and all of your resources seem very interesting and geared towards a 3rd grade classroom. I am not doing the changes lesson but it seems like a lot of fun and good luck with your little scientists!
Great ideas Kathy! You really have a comprehensive list of sources!! Looks like it will be just as fun and interesting for you to learn as it will be for the kids!!
ReplyDeleteKathy, You have some great websites! I think the students will totally have fun with your kit and you guys will do a FABULOUS job! The website I think is GREAT is learningscience.org! Interactive websites are always fun and educational for young students! If it is relevant to their lives, they will always remember it! I think you came up with some great ideas and finds! YAY! GOOD LUCK!
ReplyDeleteDon't you wish science was so fun and interactive when we were in elementary school! These fun websites sure beat the encyclopedias! hahaa! I am really looking forward to teaching this changes unit. Great post and good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Kathy!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! The chem4kids site is awesome! I came across it a lot in my searches! And I like the interactive program that demonstrates the changes in mater. This might be something to share with the students if we can. I'm looking forward to putting all this preparation to good use!! =0)
~Becky