ERIC Number: EJ1314640
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 6
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8148
EISSN: N/A
Mesozoic Measurement: Three-Dimensional Learning for Young Students
Schneider, Laura B.; Kelly, Angelique
Science and Children, v59 n1 p26-31 Sep-Oct 2021
"Next Generation Science Standards" ("NGSS") three-dimensional learning is valuable for all students regardless of age. The "NGSS" integrate disciplinary core ideas, science and engineering practices, and crosscutting concepts, adding rigor to science teaching and learning. Though "NGSS" performance expectations begin at the kindergarten level, students can be introduced to the three dimensions prior to kindergarten. All students, including young learners, can actively engage in science and engineering practices, and everyone can benefit from learning crosscutting concepts--themes that bridge the science disciplines. Having students engage with crosscutting concepts is important because when taught in an explicit manner, crosscutting concepts "enable less privileged students, most from non-dominant groups, to make connections among big ideas that cut across science disciplines." This article describes using a 5E (Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Elaboration, Evaluation) lesson on dinosaurs to engage three- to five-year-old students in three-dimensional learning. The lesson explores the research questions: How long were the dinosaurs from head to tail? How did their length compare to our height? This lesson teaches the mathematical construct of nonstandard measurement, meaning measuring with objects not traditionally used as measurement tools.
Descriptors: Preschool Education, Paleontology, Teaching Models, Science Instruction, Visual Aids, Measurement, Scientific Concepts, Mathematical Concepts
National Science Teaching Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: https://www.nsta.org/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Early Childhood Education; Preschool Education
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A