- Beliefs about using constructivist techniques in the elementary science classroom:
I think there are many benefits for utilizing constuctivist techniques within an elementary science classroom. Constructivism allows for the students to be actively involved in their own learning. Their knowledge is built and is guided based on their previous knowledge of the subject. Students are able to explore and the assessment process is very dynamic. Constructivism extends learning and children are not held accountable for basic right or wrong test answers. Students are given multiple opportunities to show what they know by using critical thinking skills and collaboration. The teacher is only there to lead with insightful questions in which guide student thinking. If you were to walk into a constructivist classroom the children would be provided with tools to guide their thinking and learning. The teacher would have technology readily available in order to give students access to the materials they need to fulfill their own learning. It is a new way of thinking and teaching.
The traditional classroom is an approach in which the teacher drives the instruction and students are not active participants. Students listen to the teacher and "learn" the material. Then tested on it. It is a continuous cycle in which the students are not actually learning the material presented. Students work independently with little time to bounce ideas off of the teacher or even their peers. It is a stationary learning environment.
Within my school district in South Carolina, we mostly use traditional forms of teaching when it comes to teaching science. Often times we do not even allow for science to fit into our schedules. Our district is highly focused on reading and math. Science is usually squeezed in at the very end of the day, and usually is a short video, or a teacher demonstration. It is very rare that we allow time for the students to get involved. This is very sad, because I have always enjoyed science. It saddens me knowing that our students do not have the same experiences as I once had in school. I think that if our county moved to the constructivist approach that teachers as well as students would enjoy science to the fullest potential. Students would be more involved in the learning process and could highly benefit by collaborating with their peers.
One way I would create a constructivist learning enviornment would be to provide needed tools on my students desks prior to them coming in. I would allow them to explore and come up with their own questions and discuss with their peers what they already know. I would allow them to guide our instruction and learning. They could work through using the 7 Es. This is a great way to ensure the students are actively involved in the learning process at all times.
Determine how sound is produced.
Excite:
* Students will place his or her fingers on their throat to feel the vibrations while they talk and sing.
*Stretch out a rubber band and pull it back. Students will observe multiple vibrations
Explore:
* Watch the Brain Pop video on Sound- Good Vibrations
*Students will use stringed instruments, drums, and the triangle to observe different vibrations.
Explain:
* Sound is created by the movement of vibrations.Sound is made when something vibrates, or moves back and forth. Air from the lungs pass through the vocal cords and cause them to vibrate.
*Write in their journals which instrument had the highest pitch and why.
* Draw pictures of why they see and what they feel.
Expand:
* Create their own musical bottles and make predictions (filling up bottles with different amounts of water then closing the bottle and hit it with a pencil as a drum stick. They bottles with vibrate and have different pitches based on the amount of water in each bottle.)
* Create their own song using the tunes of the bottles
* Record their predictions in their science journal
Exchange:
* Class Google Doc to complete chart of what they learned
*Use flip cameras to create a video interview of what they learned
Examine:
* Compare and contrast instruments and their vibrations
*Use e-books to examine what an echo is and it relates to sound vibrations.
*Share echo experiences by making a poster
Amanda, I agree with you. It is sad that your school does not spend much time on science education. My school system actually just started to put more emphasis on it about two years ago. Two years ago, we pretty much did like your school does- fit in science whenever and however you can. Now, we are mandated to teach science every day and provide laboratory experiences in which students participate in projects and discovery lessons based on science process skills including questioning, observing, organizing data. These lab experiences and information are recorded in student science interactive notebooks.
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of schools tend to only focus on reading and math and do not value the importance of science. Inquiry based learning in science can be applied to and enhance skills needed in other disciplines, such as reading and math. In science, students make observations and predictions. These skills necessary for reading right? In science, students solve problems in sophisticated ways and collect data. These are also some skills needed for mathematics. Hopefully, in the near future, your schools will recognize the benefits of science and teach it with the ideals of constructivism.
I agree! Thanks for sharing your ideas. I bet your classroom is a fun and engaging place. I love that you mentioned having the supplies at the students' desks before they come in. Being prepared and ready for class really cuts down on wasted time and behavior issues.
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteI like how you teach in South Carolina. I'm sorry that Science does not seem like a big deal at your school. It is such an interesting subject and as you know, a video does not depict how much fun it can be. At my school, for second grade, the students learn a unit of science, then a unit of social studies and we flip flop. Are you trying to teach Science every day? Maybe every so often you can call a group of students up to the front when you do a teacher demonstration so that the students can be involved. What tools would you have available on your students desks? I like how you would have them discuss with their peers. I like the activities you would do for sound to excite the students. I especially like when you pull the rubber band back to hear the vibrations. Great job!
It is interesting that your school takes that approach in teaching science when there is a need to push students ahead with their knowledge of science. I wonder if this approach is effective? How do the students react to this style of science or do they not know of any other way? It is a shame that students can not get involved with science because that tends to be my students' favorite subject.
ReplyDeleteI grew up having a few teachers that did not take the constructivist approach and it made learning science horribly boring and it became my weakest subject in school. I feel that if the teachers had more activities and student involvement in the lessons for younger kids than their understanding and love for science will grow. I too hope that the schools will see how much the students benefit from this type of learning.
ReplyDelete