Archive for category Teaching Science
7 Tips for Teaching Children Science
Posted by admin in Kids Science, Teaching Science on November 15, 2011
Getting kids interested in science at an early age is very important. It’s easier than
you think. Science does not have to be something mysterious. It is happening all
around us, and you can use everyday things to encourage your children’s interest
and knowledge.
Most parents believe that they can’t help their children with science. But you don’t
need a advanced scientific degree to teach young children science. All you need is a
willingness to try, to observe the world, and to take the time to encourage their
natural curiosity.
You can help by having a positive attitude toward science yourself. Then start simply
by asking your child questions about the things you see every day. Why do you think
that happened? How do you think that works? And then listen to their answer
without judging it or judging them. Listening without judging will improve their
confidence, and help you determine just what your child does or does not know. Read the rest of this entry »
There’s More to Science Education Than Just Teaching Science
Posted by admin in Science Education, Teaching Science on November 15, 2011
Most secondary schools hire teachers for a specific subject area and schedule the subjects to be taught independently of each other. As a result of this fragmentation, students often miss the importance of applying what they learn in one class to what they learn in their other classes. In the teaching of science, communication and math skills should be incorporated into the curriculum; but not every science teacher does that. However, as a home schooling parent, you have a golden opportunity to give your child the interdisciplinary education that is necessary for future success while he or she is learning science.
One of the most frustrating things I encountered while teaching high school was student resistance to using proper grammar, or even full sentences, while writing their lab reports or doing homework. The protest “This is science, not English” would always get my blood boiling. How could they not understand that the results they got on their science experiments would be useless unless they could properly communicate them to others?
The same holds true for inaccurate math work. Many scientific conclusions are based on data that are summarized mathematically or in graph form. If the math work is performed incorrectly, or if the results are not displayed in the proper graphical format, the results are meaningless. Even so, many students will claim “foul” when the teacher corrects their math in a science class. After all, “That’s a different subject, isn’t it?” Read the rest of this entry »