Teaching Through Trade Books: 3-2-1 Blast Off

Journal Article | June 2013

This column includes activities inspired by children’s literature. This month’s issue has students investigating space travel by designing their own rockets and manipulating variables to determine if the rocket's…

The Early Years: Pondering Strawberries

Journal Article | June 2013

This column discusses resources and science topics related to students in grades preK to 2. This month’s issue talks about students growing plants and discussing evidence for how plants reproduce.

Formative Assessment Probes: Is It a Solid? Claim Cards and Argumentation

Journal Article | June 2013

This column focuses on promoting learning through assessment. This month’s issue discusses students' ideas about solids and the macroscopic properties they use to decide whether a material is a solid.

Methods and Strategies: Greenteam: A Community Collaboration Celebrates Environmental Science

Journal Article | June 2013

This column provides ideas and techniques to enhance your science teaching. This month’s issue describes a science ecology club and an environmental education family science night.

Science 101: What Is the Difference Between Solids and Liquids?

Journal Article | June 2013

This column provides background science information for elementary teachers. This month’s issue discusses the definitions of solids and liquids.

Turning the Science Classroom Into a Courtroom: Engaging in Argument From Evidence

Journal Article | June 2013

Put Goldilocks on trial to demonstrate the importance of stating a claim and defending it with supportive evidence.

Helping Students Evaluate the Strength of Evidence in Scientific Arguments: Thinking About the Inferential Distance Between Evidence and Claims

Journal Article | June 2013

Examine a predator-prey relationship to remind students to consider the evidence before making an inference.

The Practice of Critical Discourse in Science Classrooms

Journal Article | June 2013

Engage students in science and engineering by providing opportunities for them to engage in conversation, critical discourse, and argumentation.

Crushing Soda Cans: A Novel Way for Students to Explore Energy

Journal Article | June 2013

Explore how the potential or kinetic energy of an object affects the force the object is capable of exerting on another.

A Negotiation Cycle to Promote Argumentation in Science Classrooms

Journal Article | June 2013

Cycle through the steps of a strategy for reaching a classroom consensus through argumentation.

Assessing Students' Arguments: How Strong Are Their Justifications?

Journal Article | June 2013

Present arguments about whether or not a dam should be built that would affect an indigenous people.

Show Me the Evidence! Scientific Argumentation in the Middle School Classroom

Journal Article | June 2013

Learn how to focus classroom discussions on the validity of evidence-based scientific explanations of phenomena.

Let's Talk Science: Seeding Argumentation About Cells and Growth

Journal Article | June 2013

Engage students in a shared discourse about whether or not a seed is alive.

Editor's Roundtable: Nurturing Argumentation and Discourse

Journal Article | June 2013

Science Scope’s editor shares thoughts regarding the current issue.

Green Science: Tiny, but Powerful: The Nanoscale

Journal Article | June 2013

This column focuses on issues related to environmentally friendly and sustainable science. This month’s issue discusses nanotechnology.