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Even in March the humidity here is high. Along with the morning fog, it makes for a place where “resistance is futile” in terms of coiffures!...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Busy morning at the conference
This is only my second NSTA national conference and I continue to be impressed by how eager everyone is to learn, regardless of whether he or she is an attendee or a presenter. Jeff Marshall of Clemson University conducted a session on the Four ...
By Lynn Petrinjak
Blog Post
So many sessions, so little time
I went over to the conference center this afternoon to pick up my badge holder, tote bag, and conference program. When I pulled out the program, my spouse remarked “That’s a big program.” His eyes got larger when I kept pulling ...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
How can we make time to teach science in preK-2 classrooms?
Observing the life cycle of an insect can include measuring growth and weight, counting calendar days and reading fiction, non-fiction, and writing poetry and descriptions—all ways to integrate science with other subjects in elementary school....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Happy pi day (3.14)! I’m clearing out my mailbox and “to do” lists before heading to the NSTA Conference in New Orleans. Here are some items of interest:...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Our science teachers are discussing whether to allow students to use Wikipedia as a source for their research papers. What do you think of this source? — Jessica, Orem, Utah...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Reading this issue’s articles on English Language Learners (ELLs) — Challenges and Solutions for ELLs and Making the Connection — brought back memories of many students in my classes, but especially of Philippe, who moved to my tow...
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
Snack sorting! It’s an interesting way to involve students in classifying and, while sitting together to eat, there is time to talk about why certain groupings were chosen....
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
Activities get students focused
It takes my students a long time to settle down. By the time I take attendance and collect or return assignments, a lot of valuable time is gone. I’ve heard of “bell-ringer” activities. How would I use them? Do they really work?...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
Seed sprouting, activity and observation
It’s fun for children to plant seeds in a special container, but it can be hard to remember to water them, leading to disappointment if the plants don’t survive. Planting grass seed in some bare spots on any lawn is just as satisfying, perhaps mo...
By Peggy Ashbrook
Blog Post
An admin's eye view of teaching lab activities
I think administrators are evil. Or maybe it’s more accurate (but much less inflammatory) to state that they’re dangerously misinformed. One of the reasons I feel this way is because of the teaching load (and therefore value) ascribed to laborato...
By AnnC
Blog Post
We are opening a new academy for grades 10, 11, and 12. We’re going to have a science lab for combined use in biology, chemistry, and physics. I’ve taught in labs, but I’ve never designed one. Where do we start? —K. D., Oklaho...
By MsMentorAdmin
Blog Post
In last month’s issue of Science and Children, Bill Robertson asks the question “Why do we classify things in science?” He notes that many teachers teach classification as an end in itself or as a communications exercise....
By Mary Bigelow
Blog Post
March 20, 2009, will be the 40th anniversary of the publication of Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar, a book loved by children for its parade of fanciful food, by parents for the healthy eating message, and by all for the artwork with splend...
By Peggy Ashbrook