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Science is a great subject to teach in the classroom. Science requires different experiments and hands on activities. Since we are dealing with younger students, how can I ensure that they will be safe and follow the rules? How can I keep my students safe when performing different activities or experiments?
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I think that having a list of lab safety rules on the board or printed on a poster is great for young students. We can also start a lab at the beginning of the school year where students can watch the teacher and identify certain things that she is doing wrong, such as having her hair untied, eating in the lab, or running around. Students can also watch a video regarding the rules as well. As teachers, we should always be aware of where students are and what they are doing especially with younger students.
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Hello Alondra,
when dealing with young students in a science classroom, safety is always important. Before the students start any project, it is highly important that they are wearing gloves to protect their skin, goggles to protect their eyes, tying back their hair, and they must also protect their clothing by wearing lab coats and rolling up their sleeves. It is important that you go over the rules with them, and walk around the classroom to ensure that everyone has followed safety rules and procedures. Once you see that everyone is cleared, you may then begin with the experiments. I hope this helped!
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Hi, Alondra!
I know it has been a minute since this was posted, but this has been a topic the teachers at the elementary schools in my district also struggle with. Here are a couple of things we have found success with:
1. Set up a 'science transition' for students where they 'become scientists.' This could be as simple as standing at their desks to do some small hands-on activity. Some of the teachers in my district have students get their 'scientist clipboard.' Taped to the clipboard is reminders about lab safety and how we behave in lab. When the students get ready for science, they go get their 'scientist clipboard' and they know that it means they are in 'science mode.'
2. Practice. The first couple of times students 'do' science, it is probably going to be messy. So, make it a low-risk situation...use water and food coloring, or something equally safe. Then, as students complete hands-on activities, they will get more and more efficiency and become better at being able to efficiently function in the science setting.
I hope these ideas help.
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It is crucial to esnure students are safe during science experiments. At an elementary level we as teachers need to set expectations and rules since the beginning in order to create a safe envieonment. One thing we can do is have a class discussion on lab safety at the beginning of the school year and keep reminding the students throughout the year about the importance of being safe and following the rules/directions.
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I think modeling is the best practice for doing anything because it helps students understand how they are supposed to perform lab activities. Show your students how they are supposed to perform activities and how they should act when they are completing an experiment. Use less materials for the younger kids and as they get used to that and do well, explain to them how you will be using more things. Practice makes perfect and we have to give them the chance to learn through mistakes.
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Safety is important in all aspects of students’ lives. What they learn about being safe in the classroom should carry over into their everyday lives at home, on the playground, and beyond. How to handle emergencies is also important. Children may not learn this at home. For example, cold water is good if you burn your finger. Safety procedures should be modeled throughout the school day, not just during science activities.
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