Taylor's Science Methods Blog

  This week we took an exam and explored the 5E model of science instruction, which emphasizes five teaching phases: Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate. This model helps teachers promote inquiry-based learning by guiding students through a structured process that encourages curiosity and deeper understanding. We also studied biomes, ecosystems, and habitats, learning the differences and similarities. Additionally, we explored the differences between a food chain and a food web which was a distinction I was unfamiliar with before.  I was able to connect this new learning to what I had previously known. While I had prior knowledge about the differences between ecosystems, biomes, and habitats, this week was a refresh of the topic. Learning about the 5E model was the most beneficial as I learned valuable insights into how educators can enhance student learning through structured, inquiry-driven lessons.  Looking ahead, I plan to apply this knowledge by designi...

  Science 5E This week we explored the 5E model of science instruction which is a new concept for me. As a future educator, I enjoyed learning about this model since it offers a structured framework that encourages inquiry-based learning. The model is composed of five phases which are engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate. Each of these are designed to guide students through meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that foster curiosity and deeper understanding. After watching classroom examples and reading about the 5E model, it is clear how it supports student-centered learning and makes science more interactive and accessible.  In my future classroom I plan to implement the 5E model to provide students with a stronger grasp of science concepts and richer learning experiences. The Engage phase sparks curiosity through thought provoking questions, the Explore phase is where students can investigate concepts through experiments, during the elaborate phase students...

This week we looked at the seeds we planted in the cups last week. When we pulled the cups out of the fast planter the seeds began to sprout.  We then learned the life cycle of multiple animals and my group researched the life cycle of a flower. A flower begins as a seed, turns to a sprout, then grows to a young flower, and matures into an adult flower. I already knew this information, but I was surprised that a life cycle is only complete if there is four or more steps not less.  The project we did on the plate with playdoh kept me intrigued and I think it would be a good lesson to incorporate into my future classroom. This will allow them to learn about life cycles through a hands-on lesson. We then took a quad planter and added fertilizer, soil, seed, and water and placed this into the fast planter. 

     This week we discussed the three dimensions of science learning. The first dimension is the core ideas of science. Included are physical science, life science, earth science, and lastly engineering, technology, and application of science. Each of these core ideas is critical in their own way to successfully teach students science. The next dimension is practices, for this students will ask questions, construct evidence based arguments, design investigations, etc. The third dimension is how students connect the three domains of science, crosscutting. This idea consists of energy and matter, cause and effect, and structure and function.       We then discussed the eight characteristics of living things. All living things must be able to maintain homeostasis, reproduce, metabolize, respond to stimuli, grow and change, have cellular composition, genetics and heredity, and perform movement. each characteristic was familiar to me and I had an understand...

    In class this week we talked a lot about the NGSS which is the science standards used for elementary classes in Iowa. These standards are not only used in Iowa but are implemented across the country in various states. In this class we learn to understand these standards and the content included. Each standard is crucial for students to gain an equitable understanding of science for their grade level.  Before being able to teach science we must have a classroom to teach this material, so as a group we created what we want our future classroom to look like. Our group included lots of bright colors and windows to make our classroom fun and welcoming. The students will sit in groups so they are able to work together and build ideas with one another. There is a reading corner with a small classroom library so the students have a fun place to read. In the classroom library we will provide various types of books so all students are intrigued to read and the fun seating ...