Hello Everyone!
Post number 2...here we come. My focus for today is on getting the conversation started. Not a one-way conversation where I type, you read, and that's it. We need some interaction!
I did some extensive research in my doctoral program around elementary science. The first thing I learned is that it just isn't happening. According to the latest report from Horizon Research (Report available here), science is taught an average of 1.5 hours per week for K-3 students and 2 hours per week in grades 4-6. Compare this to Math (4.5 hours for K-3, and 5 hours for 4-6) and Language Arts (7.5 hours for K-3 and 7 hours for grades 4-6), and you have to wonder what we can do to find a better balance for our students. Young students find science engaging and exciting. Why can't we find ways to integrate the subjects so that we don't leave science out and deprive our students?
Last week, my first introductory blog, left me with many likes but no comments. I'd like to ask you to comment today and give feedback as to what the obstacles are for teaching science. If we can identify the obstacles, we have somewhere to start. My hope for this blog is to find workable solutions for teachers. If we can identify the problems, we can tackle solutions from there. I have lots of great ideas to work science into the elementary day. But this needs to be a community effort! So chime in please!
I'd also like to include some easy access resources on this blog. I'll be trying to figure out how to link you to various resources on this blog, so check out the bottom and sides for links to investigate. This blog is new; so any input/suggestions are greatly appreciated!
And Just like that.....My Blog is Born!!
Now that I have a little time on my hands (yeah, right!), I've decided to continue my quest to improve teaching and learning. Through this blog I hope to share teaching ideas for science and math for elementary and middle school teachers.
I've learned so much and continue to do so every day. My own students inspire me with great ideas and insight into teaching. I want to provide this forum for idea sharing and conversation starting. Education is an ever-changing, living and breathing entity. I've been in the education business for a quarter of a century (Wow!,..did I just type that??!!). I've seen trends come and go, but one thing remains the same: We all want what's best for kids!
I have many personal friends and acquaintances in this profession. My hope is to bring us all together to start conversations and share ideas. My other secret hope, (ok, maybe not so secret) is that I can inspire teachers to get teaching science again in effective and engaging ways. I know the plates are full, especially at the elementary level; let's figure out how to MAKE ROOM FOR SCIENCE!
I am a firm believer in "more heads are better than one". Let's put our heads together and tackle this issue. Our kids deserve to be introduced to the wonder of science while their curiosity about this amazing world we live in is at its peak.
So my mission begins....I hope you'll join me!
I've learned so much and continue to do so every day. My own students inspire me with great ideas and insight into teaching. I want to provide this forum for idea sharing and conversation starting. Education is an ever-changing, living and breathing entity. I've been in the education business for a quarter of a century (Wow!,..did I just type that??!!). I've seen trends come and go, but one thing remains the same: We all want what's best for kids!
I have many personal friends and acquaintances in this profession. My hope is to bring us all together to start conversations and share ideas. My other secret hope, (ok, maybe not so secret) is that I can inspire teachers to get teaching science again in effective and engaging ways. I know the plates are full, especially at the elementary level; let's figure out how to MAKE ROOM FOR SCIENCE!
I am a firm believer in "more heads are better than one". Let's put our heads together and tackle this issue. Our kids deserve to be introduced to the wonder of science while their curiosity about this amazing world we live in is at its peak.
So my mission begins....I hope you'll join me!