TEACHING SCIENCE THROUGH INQUIRY
OVERVIEW
Welcome! I serve as a
was able to share
this science unit with children from grades 1-4. This web site will show how I used
the museum as a
learning environment and learning tool.
This unit is great for elementary school
educators who
desire to enhance their techniques and learning styles for required science
components. I integrated the informal museum and the
formal educational system by asking the
question . . .
Do Athletes Use FORCE & MOTION?
The children
experienced multiple learning strategies and familiar learning materials were
used. As
the self-directive learning process developed, they gained
knowledge, it stimulated their curiosity, and
they became excited and enthused about going on more field
trips.
Get ready. .
. You’re in for a treat! .
My GOALS were to . .
. .
·
enhance and increase student knowledge through
involvement
·
stir up curiosity and excitement that would lead
to inquiry
·
provide understanding to the point that they
could explain the purpose of the visits to the museum, and the classroom
experiences
·
provide opportunities for conceptual change
towards the scientific view
·
allow natural curiosity and their own questions
to serve as guides for learning
·
use skills and techniques that served as a
support for phonemic awareness
·
increase and enhance the children’s vocabulary
·
show the children that learning can be lots of
fun
Reflections
Teaching science through inquiry was
not only a great and unique way for children to learn, but it
was good
for me, too! Realizing that most
children have heroes in the field of sports, I planned my theme around athletes
and how they use force and motion to become successful when they play their
sport. I used several classroom
activities and worksheets to help my children identify many of the FORCE & MOTION (click to view student worksheet) techniques
and moves that sports heroes make when they play. Many of the children feel that they will be
able to play their favorite sport better because of what they learned about the
elements and effects of
FORCE & MOTION
(click to view museum visit)
Classroom management and
behavior issues were greatly diminished because the students were
so
involved. The children were able to
refer back to what they learned because they took
ownership in the
project and its activities. Children
that were previously non-responsive became
interested and
involved. They became excited about
expressing their ideas and wanted to search
the
internet for more information.
Overview
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