This semester I am placed in Kindergarten/1st grade multiage classroom and was wondering “How am I going to teach such young students about science?” So, I decided to focus on just that question!
How do you effectively teach science to lower elementary grades? (K-1 or 2)
Here is some information I found:
• It is important to get the students engaged and not only looking at objects, but also touching them, sorting them, taking them apart, and experimenting with them.
• Children need to be involved in concrete experiences such as cooking, going on walks in nature, using magnets, observing and touching pond water, or other things as simple as watching snow melt into water in a bucket. –These types of experiences will get students talking about and asking questions about the topic, and will help to get them more engaged. One thing we all have learned or should have learned is that when students are engaged, they are learning more deeply, and will better comprehend the information and remember it.
I found a website that gave some great examples of things you could study and learn about in a kindergarten or 1st grade science unit
http://www.kindergarten-lessons.com/teaching-science.html
• Studying insects is a great way to get younger students observing, making predictions, and collecting data.
Some things the students should be able to do are:
• describe characteristics of some local plants and animals e.g. color, shape, size, texture
• compare local plants and animals
• learn what plants and animals need to stay healthy
• compare the life cycle of an animal hatched from an egg with one born from the mother
• describe the appearance and behavior of a variety of animals
• identify similarities and differences among animal species
I also learned how doing experiments with live creatures can be another lesson itself. On the same website as above, the four L’s are talked about while working with insects, or other live creatures.
• When teaching science, include teaching children how to respect and treat living creatures when studying them. Tapping on bug bottles, shaking the container, leaving living things in the hot sun should all be discouraged.
• Teach the "Four Ls"
• Look at them, learn about them, let them go (after an hour or two), then leave them alone.
I thought this was a great idea that I never really heard of before!
I like the ideas you presented here. I agree that the best way for students to learn is for them to do concrete learning, or learning by doing and exploring. You'd be amazed at the things students will come up with on their own when they are allowed to explore things for themselves. This kind of learning makes students excited about learning/doing science because they are "coming up" with the ideas themselves, and this is what allows learning to become permanent and stick with the students.
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