Next message: Bernie Terrien: "Re: [Teacher-talkinquiry] reflection on first session"
David, I too was wondering what specifically I could apply to my curriculum as a 7th grade life science teacher. The first video focused on the lower elementary grade levels. What about the older kids? How does inquiry work with students who are old enough to know that they have a choice in whether or not to "buy in" to a class? I can forsee great
participation in the kids who are intrinsically motivated, but what about the other kids who just don't care?
Jennifer Cronin
7th grade life science
Spokane, WA
David Pruden wrote:
> One question I am asking myself after the first session is: Why might
> students misbehave and/or be bored with the hands on science I am providing?
>
> One answer to this may be that the science is hands on, but not as minds on.
> These students are very familiar with having their hands on and
> investigating, but because the investigations are pre-planned and very
> structured maybe the activities are not as intriguing to the students.
> Maybe the students see the investigations as simply activities, and not
> scientific exploration. If students were struggling with their own ideas
> and searching for answers to their own questions maybe I would have more buy
> in in my classroom.
>
> I have been using Research for Better Teaching's Activators and Summarizers
> activities with my students to try and keep them mentally engaged with the
> learning. Having students discuss ideas and summarize in their own words
> will hopefully allow them to own the concepts.
>
> How do I get them asking their own questions? That question is eating at me
> (in a healthy way). And them how do I allow them to investigate those
> questions in the confines of the classroom, materials, timeframe, etc?
>
> What primary sources can I use in my 6th grade classroom for physical
> science topics such as matter, mixtures and solutions and motion?
> The first grade classroom in the first video is a terrific example, but what
> about physical science in 6th grade? What are the primary sources availible
> for my students? newspapers, biographies of scientists, reference books?
>
> just some ideas from my first session...
>
> david pruden
> grade 6
> topsfield, ma
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