This paper shares my experiences with the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) framework in my university science methods course. Incorporating SoTL not only enabled me to inquire into my own teaching as a scholarly activity but also engaged my students in critical reflections. I used the principles and characteristics of SoTL to design…

Presents four fully developed library media activities designed to be used in conjunction with specific curriculum units in reading/language arts and science. Objectives, curriculum objectives, resources, instructional roles, activities and procedures for completion, evaluation, and followup are described for each activity. (MES)

Provides: (1) background information on insect metamorphosis; (2) activities focusing on insect life cycles and how insects change from egg to adult; and (3) student materials (ready-to-copy games, puzzles, coloring pages, worksheets, and/or mazes). Each activity includes objective(s), recommended age levels, subject area(s), list of materials…

Offers various strategies in which students use fingerprints to help sharpen their science process skills. Includes directions for making fingerprints using just ink and paper and suggestions for additional activities. These include making "prints" from other body parts and from such objects as automobile tires. (JN)

Reports research findings on the relationship between play and science as complementary aspects of problem solving. The playful approach and the science approach are compared along with skills and attitudes necessary for solving scientific problems. Research findings and suggested actions on play in the classroom are summarized. (BC)

Explains how and why mirages are formed. The three basic types of mirages (inferior--seen below an object, superior--seen above an object, and the fata morgana--which occurs when inferior and superior mirages coexist) are considered. (JN)

Compares the traditional textbook-based elementary science teaching method with the following innovative approaches: (1) Inquiry; (2) Science-Technology-Society (STS); and (3) Conceptual Change. Argues that the Conceptual Change approach has the greatest impact on student thinking and permits teachers to focus on important aspects. (FMW)

Presents activities for helping elementary students learn about Newton's third law of motion. Several activity cards demonstrate the concept of the law of action and reaction. The activities require only inexpensive materials that can be found around the house. (SM)

This rationale for teaching elementary-level science using a hands-on approach emphasizes the importance of students learning the process by which an outcome arises rather than just remembering the outcome. The article encourages use of everyday objects rather than fancy scientific apparatus and offers suggestions for helping students undertake…

Twelve strategies for planning and implementing successful field trips are presented. Preplanning, bad weather, safety, budget, travel, chaperones, facilities of destination, lesson planning, time constraints, snacking, and special guests are topics of discussion. (KR)

Describes the geology and ecology of Chesapeake Bay. (PR)

While observation is critical to science, sometimes things cannot be observed directly. Sometimes things happened long ago (in paleontology, for example) or are too small to observe (like atoms). Many students believe that science progresses only through direct observation. Students may also believe that giant microscopes provide insight into…

Teaching about forces provides a good opportunity to encourage children to start thinking about energy transfer. Children come into the classroom with a number of ideas about the nature of energy. These often become apparent when eliciting their ideas about forces, particularly when discussing "push" and "pull". In this article, the author…

Digital cameras are easy to find, easy to use, and offer great potential for incorporating technology into lessons. Project ideas can range from creating collections of objects to identify (e.g., insects, plants, rocks/minerals, and so on) to documenting the signs of the seasons or recording the progress of an investigation. Even stages of the…

This study reports on the measured change in the attitude of students toward teaching science as a result of their experiences in an elementary activity-based science course for preservice elementary teachers. Overall, the students in this study showed a positive shift in attitude as measured by the Revised Science Attitude Scale instrument that…