Science in the Classroom

I was surfing this morning, trying to find some new blogs to read. I came across "Science and Children's Early Years Blog" and was amazed by the quality of the content. I immediately added it to my list of favourite websites. Quickly scanning the blog, I was able to learn how to engage children in authentic, meaningful whole and small group science activities and experiments. What a valuable resource for a busy kindergarten teacher!

I know from experience how hard it can be to create an engaging science program in an early years environment. Often the materials and resources are not available. Non-fiction books are hard to find in small school libraries. Science can often become a one-sided situation in a classroom, where a teacher is the one reading from science texts, demonstrating experiments for students, and displaying only readily available materials at the science center. I've fallen into this trap too.

If we want to prepare our children for the higher level thinking needed for success in their future lives and careers (who knows what kind of jobs they will have 15+ years from now) then we need to strive to engage our youngest learners in active, authentic, challenging scientific experiences that allow them to question, predict, explore, analyze, and discuss what they have done. Easier said than done, but the information at Science and Children's Early Years Blog will help teachers see how simple, everyday activities like play dough and water play have the potential for being rich scientific activities in the classroom.

http://blogs.nsta.org/EarlyYearsBlog/default.aspx