Science Practices

Science questions reinforce scientific processes. To debrief, use this list to clearly focus your experiments. At first, you can try a few targeted queries. Then, as time goes on, dig…

Take a proactive stance to manage science groups in your classroom. With assigned roles and individual accountability, your labs will go off without a hitch. (more…)

Improve science labs with hands-on investigations. Try these tips to maximize learning. First, tie activities to your standards. Second, use a fair test. Third, crunch the numbers (and hit some…

Science stations in the classroom changed my life! When kids travel from center to center, they hit multiple concepts in a short period of time, use inquiry, make generalizations –…

Succulent science activities bring fun and excitement to the classroom. Take a few simple steps to get started. First, teach the science practices. Emphasize using a fair test. Next, ask…

Energize science activities for elementary students! How? Above all, let kids get their hands on science. Then try these simple strategies. They’ll transform instruction. First, ask for generalizations. Second, encourage…

For a full-blown experiment, kids use the fair test.  They compare two (or more) things. All other variables are controlled. Asking students to measure and repeat seals the deal. (more…)

Scientific inquiry means different things to different teachers. In this post, kids will start with a messy problem. Then they’ll find the solution by trial and error. Why not give…

When kids make generalizations in science, they focus on scientific concepts. For higher level thinking, give your labs a twist. Begin with a conceptual question. Present a science investigation. Then…

Teaching scientific method involves a set of steps. Traditionally, these steps were taught as a rather rigid process. Today, however, teachers employ a larger, more flexible set of science practices.…