All Elementary resources

Journal Article

The Early Years: Creating a Possibility-Rich Classroom Environment

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This issue describes an activity that creates a “possibility-rich” environment or experience for children to have firsthand experience with phenomena or d...

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

Journal Article

The Poetry of Science: Questions, Questions!

Building literacy in playful, meaningful ways....

Elementary General Science Lesson Plans Teaching Strategies Literacy

Book Chapter

Scientists and Engineers Are CURIOUS

In this lesson, students learn that scientists and engineers are curious. They read about Mary Anning in the book The Fossil Girl: Mary Anning’s Dinosaur Discovery, by Catherine Brighton. After reading, students will learn about the history of Eart...

Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Earth & Space Science Science and Engineering Practices Literacy

Book Chapter

Scientists and Engineers Are INSPIRING

In this lesson, students learn that scientists and engineers are inspiring. They read about Thomas Edison in the book Timeless Thomas: How Thomas Edison Changed Our Lives, by Gene Barretta. After reading, students will observe vibrations and provide ...

Elementary Pre-service Teachers Preschool Physics Science and Engineering Practices Literacy

Interactive E-book Kids

Exploring Matter in Space

It is the year 2095, and Great Uncle Dar has just taken up the post of chief engineer on the solar system’s first inflatable space apartment building. Even better, his nephew, Peter, is spending the summer with him! Excited to catch up with Great U...

Elementary Middle School Chemistry Physical Science STEM Technology 5E Assessment Crosscutting Concepts Curriculum Disciplinary Core Ideas Instructional Materials Inquiry Learning Progression Lesson Plans NGSS Pedagogy Performance Expectations Phenomena Science and Engineering Practices Three-Dimensional Learning Interdisciplinary Literacy

Blog Post

First Graders Become Corn Experts: Using Questions to Drive Instruction

First graders love when fall comes to Kansas. It’s a magical time when lots of events are occurring in their environment, and I take full advantage of their natural curiosity. We begin the school year with a mini science unit featuring corn and agr...

By Cindy Workosky

Elementary Life Science Science and Engineering Practices

Blog Post

Scaffolding the Practice of Asking Questions and Defining Problems

With the adoption of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), teachers are wondering how to teach their students to do the science and engineering practices (SEPs). Some SEPs, such as carrying out investigations and analyzing data, are a natural...

By Cindy Workosky

Middle School Elementary NGSS Science and Engineering Practices