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All Early Childhood resources

The Early Years: Fostering Environmental Stewardship

Journal Article

The Early Years: Fostering Environmental Stewardship

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue includes an activity that aims to strengthen teachers’ awareness of how children learn in the STEAM disciplines as they explore a natur...

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Environmental Science STEM Inquiry Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies Advocacy Citizen Science

The Early Years: Blowing Bubbles

Journal Article

The Early Years: Blowing Bubbles

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue has children observing the formation of foam and exploring the properties of foam using sight and touch....

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Physical Science Inquiry NGSS Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies

Formative Assessment Probes: Uncovering Students' Concept of Matter

Journal Article

Formative Assessment Probes: Uncovering Students' Concept of Matter

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s probe can be used to elicit young children's ideas about matter. The probe reveals commonly held ideas elementary students have about the types of objects, materials, and su...

Early Childhood Elementary Chemistry Assessment Pedagogy

NSTA Kids

The Tree by Diane's House: I Wonder Why

This book about life cycles and the food chain begs to be read out loud. Written in the rhythm of “The House That Jack Built,” The Tree by Diane’s House tells the story of a budding tree and a growing girl. As the tree grows from seed to sycamo...

Early Childhood Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool Biology General Science Life Science Multilingual Learners Instructional Materials Inquiry Phenomena Interdisciplinary Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education

NSTA Kids

Animals Two by Two: I Wonder Why

Children who love both animals and a rousing game of I Spy will have fun with this book. To give kids practice identifying similarities and differences, the book starts by pairing easy-to-distinguish animals, such as zebras and horses. Then it moves ...

Early Childhood Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool Biology Life Science Multilingual Learners Instructional Materials Inquiry Phenomena Interdisciplinary Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education

NSTA Kids

Looking for Animals: I Wonder Why

Now you see them, now you don’t! By showing the same creatures in two different settings, this book brings out the detective in young readers. They can investigate the role of protective coloration— nature’s own camouflage—for katydids, crick...

Early Childhood Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool Biology General Science Multilingual Learners Instructional Materials Inquiry Phenomena Interdisciplinary Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education

NSTA Kids

Our Very Own Tree: I Wonder Why

What happens when two friends take an interest in an oak tree? They begin to notice more about the world around them, such as the seasons changing and squirrels making homes. They are inspired to do independent research, from studying acorns to looki...

Early Childhood Elementary Informal Education Pre-service Teachers Preschool Environmental Science General Science Life Science Multilingual Learners Instructional Materials Inquiry Phenomena Interdisciplinary Literacy New Science Teachers Preservice Science Education

The Early Years: A Progression of Learning

Journal Article

The Early Years: A Progression of Learning

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue offers an activity in which children explore the properties of ceramic clay, learn related vocabulary, and describe the changes in proper...

Early Childhood Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Physical Science Inquiry Learning Progression Science and Engineering Practices Teaching Strategies

Formative Assessment Probes: Snap Blocks

Journal Article

Formative Assessment Probes: Snap Blocks

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue covers progressing from parts and wholes to conservation of matter....

Early Childhood Elementary Assessment Learning Progression

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