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My students are asking for “extra credit” work. I’m having second thoughts about doing this, especially since it seems that students wait until the end of the marking period to ask. Is there a good rationale for giving (or not givin...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I recently talked with a high school senior who wants to become an elementary teacher. “Working with younger students, one thing I won’t have to think about is technology,” she said. She certainly has some misconceptions about eleme...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Technology integration in science
As a principal, I’d like to work with the teachers to develop some indicators to use during walkthroughs and classroom visits to assess how instructional practices in our science classes are changing as a result of the technology we’re us...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Science notebooks: Archive or learning tool?
In my Earth science classes, I require the students to keep notebooks. I give them directions as to what pages to put in the notebook and in what order. I thought this would be an easy grade for the students, but many of the students don’t foll...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Earth science topics that grab students' interest
From news that scientists have discovered the biggest black holes yet to dramatic video footage of volcanic eruptions, ...
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
Practices of science and engineering
What science and engineering practices will he use to solve this problem?...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
My middle schoolers were full of energy! This month’s Science Scope has many suggestions for channeling their enthusiasm into studying energy transformations....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
“Can It Reflect Light?” and other probing questions
Can it reflect light? Is it a plant? Is it made of cells? These questions are among more than 100 formative assessment probes developed by Page Keeley and her colleagues to help teachers elicit information about what students think about key science ...
By Claire Reinburg
Blog Post
STEM competition for middle grades
Passing along some information —...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
I’m using probes in some of my chemistry labs, although I’m sure I could be doing more with them. In addition, I’m still trying to learn how to enhance lessons with the interactive board that was installed this year. I recently atte...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Some bits and pieces gleaned from listserves, blogs, and tweets– Professional development...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
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By Ken Roberts
Blog Post
Gentle readers, here are two opportunities for us to be part of a larger professional community. For just 24 hours, beginning 9:00 a.m. on Monday, NSTA membership for $50 ...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Anecdotes from parents: what is important from the child’s viewpoint
It is always nice to hear from the parents of my students: Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. Wanted to share with you Sasha’s painting. She did it yesterday while I was cooking....
By Peggy Ashbrook