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I believe one of the most exciting aspects of teaching science is conveying how science is done and engaging students in
the process of discovery for themselves. Learning is a process of creative construction and involves trial and error.
Within methodology a distinction is often made between methods and approaches, in which methods are held to be fixed teaching
systems with prescribed techniques and practices, whereas approaches represent science teaching philosophies that can be interpreted
and applied in a variety of different ways in the classroom.Third grades students could study mystery powders to understand
physical and chemical properties annd their changes, while learning about the chemists who first made those discoveries historical.
I would encourage students to think about the concepts of time and space by seeing how they have been viewed at different
times in history and in different cultures.
I would teach science using the project-based science method. This is more hands-on and engaging for the students.
It involves a driving question. An example of a driving question is, Why do I look the way I do? Everything the
class does is focused on answering that question: investigations, computer work, library research, class discussions, and
student-designed experiments. In investigations, students pursue solutions to authentic problems by asking and refining
questions, debating ideas, making predictions, designing plans and/or experiments, gathering information, collecting and analyzing
data, drawing conclusions and communicating their ideas and findings to others.
Through collaboration students discuss and try out their ideas and challenge the ideas of others. Using technology
in project-based science makes the enviornment more authentic to students since the computer provides access to data and information,
expands interaction and collaboration with others via networks, promotes laboratory investigation, and emulates tools experts
use to produce artifacts. With a first grade class I would have them use the internet to find pictures of mammals and
facts about them to find out what a mammal is. They would see if it a mammal has hair or fur, if it has two or four
legs, and if the babies are born live. After researching on the internet they would collaborate their ideas and findings
in groups and discuss the answers to the previous question.
On this home page I have stated my teaching philosophy. On the following pages I will discuss the WI DPI Standards,
the NSES, the use of technology in the classroom, and an assessment tools summary. I will provide several examples with
links on how to apply these standards, technology, and assessments in the classroom.
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