PlanningWe planned collaboratively as a team, in consultation with Tom Walsh. We researched activities that would suit our goals for this project. We took time for self-reflection and group reflection. We found the following literature to be helpful.
ImplementationFor our Kindergarten implementation, we used a variety of activities to foster questioning skills as well as skills in making quality, multi-sensory observations. We chose the sinking and floating unit of Kindergarten Science as our focus area.
These activities ranged from teacher demos, to open and guided inquiry activities, and culminated in a structural design challenge where students made and tested their own boats. As well, we practiced questioning and making observations in other curricular areas, such as Language and Art. |
Our Goals
Our teacher goal was to make science more hands-on and to find a way to teach science that would be more enjoyable for us and the students than traditional methods.
Our student goal was to improve our students' observation and questioning skills, which are very necessary for 21st century learning.
Our student goal was to improve our students' observation and questioning skills, which are very necessary for 21st century learning.
Our Results
Through our pre-and post- project surveys, interviews, and videos; we found that students gained a better understanding of science as a subject and the processes and tools involved.
Students' skills in observation and questioning improved dramatically through the course of the project. By the end of the project students understood what a question is and why questioning is important. As well, they began to make multi-sensory observations, rather than sight alone.
We found as teachers, that we experienced greater enjoyment in teaching science, and gained a better understanding of the importance of inquiry for students.
You can view our detailed data analysis here.
Students' skills in observation and questioning improved dramatically through the course of the project. By the end of the project students understood what a question is and why questioning is important. As well, they began to make multi-sensory observations, rather than sight alone.
We found as teachers, that we experienced greater enjoyment in teaching science, and gained a better understanding of the importance of inquiry for students.
You can view our detailed data analysis here.
Teacher DemosWe had lots of fun with teacher demos.
These gave the students many opportunities to practice asking questions and making observations. |
Sinking and FloatingWe spent a great deal of time doing open and guided inquiry activities about sinking and floating.
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Boat BuildingThe students used their knowledge of sinking and floating to build a boat out of student-selected materials.
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