Teaching with Children's Literature!

Childrens literature has so many different great books that has to do with science and the concepts of science. For instance if you are teaching a lesson about weather, then read a book first to motivate the students. An example would be the children's book Clouds

There is a ton of literature on science for children to enjoy. I often find it useful to read my students a book before I begin the book to get them motivated on the topic we are about to discuss. It seems to grab there attention. Some other great science books that I love are the following:

Teaching with Technology and Art!!

Technology is something that should be included in alot of science lessons. Technology can be so many different things. It can be a powerpoint or a video. In class this semester, several students put together a powerpoint on what people really thought scientific literacy really meant. It was really interesting not only to do this questionaire, but the powerpoint topped the lesson off even more.


I know that I have already posted one video, but watching youtube videos on different science experiments can be so much fun for students.
Here is another great video: http://youtu.be/MzsORE0ae10


*Art through science can be simple and very fun for students. For example this image is an example of something that is put together, but the picture can mean so many things. You could show this picture and show the students how things are assembled together to work together as one.

As a teacher, you can also make your students draw pictures of a fish. By drawing a fish they can learn all the characteristics of a fish. They can learn the fin and the scales.



Teaching with Manipulatives!!

`Teaching science should include some great manipulatives to improve the understanding of science more. Studies have shown that the best way to introduce or reinforce abstract scientific concepts is by using manipulatives. These manipulatives maybe small objects that can be touched and moved about by students. Manipulatives can make science come alive. Most students learn by doing, so manipulatives is a great way to get information across to your students. Students LOVE science experiments. Here are some great science experiments that I would love to do in my future classroom.
http://youtu.be/Hr6dZ6aWpF4
Click on the url and it will link you to a video about changing the color of milk. This video is very interesting and makes one realize that the fat in milk can change so many different things. Through this hands-on experiment, students can learn so many different things.


*Also I feel that is important to allow your students to make things own their own. When I was a student in elementary school and high school, I often learned through making things. I will never forget, I learned so much about a solar system after I made one of my own.

*Another thing is to take students on field trips. Use this as a manipulative to engage their interests. There are some great science places that could be a great introduction into a lesson. Some places that I know that are great are the following: Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Turtle Point, Alligator Alley. Dauphin Island Sea Island is a great place for the students to learn about the sea creatures and salt water and such. Turtle Point is kind of like 5 Rivers. It teachs students about river water, creeks, and the animals that live in these areas. Lastly, Alligator Alley would be a great place to teach your students about reptiles.

This was me doing a science lesson for my class. My science experiment was about sticking a straw in a potato. It was to see if a regular straw would go through a potato. The results showed that they only way the straw would go through was if you  closed off the top of the straw with your finger.

Teaching Science Philosphy

I have always felt that science is something that should be enjoyed by all. Science is not a subject that should be all about lectures and tests. No! Science is suppose to be hands-on activities, field trips, and actually learning science through experience. My science philosophy is show my students my love for science, and try to install of love for science in my students as well. As a future educator, I plan to make my science classroom fun and rewarding at the same time. As a teacher, you should want to make your classroom inviting to all students.

Miss Sterling's Background

I am Sterling Leigh and 22 years old. I am currently attending the University of South Alabama and majoring in Elementary Education/Special Education. I will graduate December 2012. I had a great experience going through the education program and still learning so much. I have taken so many classes including a teaching science class, that I am currently taking. I have learned some amazing experiences that I cannot wait to perform in my future classroom. I started to enjoy science classes when I was in high school at Monroe Academy. I had some wonderful science teachers, that made science fun and interesting. I later transfered to Alabama Southern Community College where I recieved a Associates degree in Science. I LOVED all science classes including the following: anatomy, biology, and physical science. I recieved my love for science from my Daddy. He has a Forestry Major, and has a love for science. I look forward to teaching science in my future classroom and learning many new things as well.