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  • Modeling, Part 1: Conceptual Modeling

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter addresses the creation and use of conceptual and mathematical models, which include aspects of Developing and Using Models, Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking, and Constructing Explanations and…

  • Modeling, Part 2: Mathematical Modeling

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter addresses the creation and use of conceptual and mathematical models, which include aspects of Developing and Using Models, Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking, and Constructing Explanations and…

  • Arguing from Evidence, Part 1: Focus on Evidence

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter addresses identification of evidence and arguing from evidence, which include aspects of Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions;…

  • Arguing from Evidence, Part 2: Claim and Argument

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter addresses identification of evidence and arguing from evidence, which include aspects of Developing and Using Models; Analyzing and Interpreting Data; Constructing Explanations and Designing Solutions;…

  • Stories in Rocks

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter focuses on reading the earth in the rocks. Rocks tell the story of Earth’s past, and we believe that lessons on rocks should include a focus on reading those stories. Many students encounter rocks as an…

  • Stories in Rock Layers

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter focuses on reading the earth in the layers of rock. Whereas rocks tell the story of what a place was like at one time in the past, layers of rock tell the story of how that place changed through time. The…

  • Stories of Places We Can’t See But Can Hear

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter focuses on reading the earth with seismic waves and identifies several important aspects of authentic science, including asking questions, figuring out problems that you don’t already know the answer to,…

  • Stories of Places We Can’t Go But Can See

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter focuses on reading the earth with light. Distance learning has a long history. In this chapter, the “Suggestions for Designing an Activity” section offers a way to start with observations in building a…

  • Stories Told by Atoms

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter focuses on reading the earth in the atoms. Activities are considered that can engage students at the “classroom-friendly” end of the learning spectrum. Understanding geochemical cycling and the…

  • Teacher as Curriculum Narrator

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter examines the importance of the teacher in narrating the link between spontaneous and creative explorations of the classroom and the core ideas of the discipline. Implementing an authentic science experience…

  • Earth Science Where You Are

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter examines the importance of the teacher initiating creative explorations from where you are in place and understanding. With an emphasis on the practice of doing science, students can learn to make sense of…

  • Teacher as Mentor, Practitioner, and Scholar

    Book Chapter |

    This chapter examines mentoring student explorations as a fellow scholar and practitioner of science. The mentor does not give students assignments and then step back and let students sink or swim. The mentor guides,…

  • Lesson Plan 1: Earth’s Sensational Seasons

    Book Chapter |

    In this lesson, students explore the concept of the four seasons and how the changing seasons affect plant development. They will begin to understand that seasonal changes are caused by Earth’s tilt as it rotates around…

  • Lesson Plan 2: Our Container Garden–Design Time

    Book Chapter |

    This lesson introduces students to the engineering design process (EDP), the process they will use to design and create their container garden. In this lesson, students work through the first steps of the EDP to develop…

  • Lesson Plan 3: Our Container Garden–Planting Time

    Book Chapter |

    In this lesson, students continue to use the engineering design process (EDP) to create the class container garden. Students move into the Try phase as they construct the garden. Through the construction and planting of…

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