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Hello,

I'm an Elementary Education student about to graduate. I've taught a few science lessons in classrooms, and though I like science I feel like my delivery of the lesson can be very flat or boring sometimes as I'm not very enthusiatic about some of the science topics I teach. I've had students in past field classrooms say that their least favorite subject is math/social studies/etc. because their teacher wasn't excited to teach it, so I know students can tell when you're not into the lesson either. How do I make sure the lessons are exciting or interesting for the students when I may not be that excited about them?

Hi! One way I've learned to keep science lessons interesting and enthusiastic is by keeping student's interested and involved as much as possible. This would be by incorportating them through hands on activities, technology, videos, research and relating material to their background knowledge. Having a set that captures their attention will also help set their interest in the lesson. If their curiosity is peaked from the begining, they will most likely be interested in investigating and learning throughout the rest of the lesson. Hope that helps!  

Thank you both! :) Your advice was very helpful. I'll start integrating your suggestions into future lessons.

Also graduating soon, I feel like this is something I'm super concerned about when I have my own classroom. My professor has given us a lot of guidance on how to keep the class engaged and the biggest way is by having a "hands-on minds-on" approach in your activities. Students tend to remember things better and overall enjoy what they're learning when they have a part in it. I also think during experiments it's important to take a step back and let students work towards the answer, it's usually more exciting for them this way! I also think the 5E lesson plan is a great way to start! I looked online and found this article helpful https://www.edutopia.org/classroom-student-participation-tips

Good luck! :)

Hello, as I was reading your post, I think the best way to not make your classroom feel falt or boring and more enthusastic is by incoperating STEM in the classroom.  It is important to provide STEM because it helps expand the vocuably of students by using words such as, trial, experiment, challenge, design, and collaborate.  Having STEM also allows your students to explore scientifc ideas.  Honestly, what is important in a science classroom is for students to be able to explore and get to answers themselves.  It allows you as the teacher to see the thinking behind your students. 

Hi Christina,

Love your question. What I've been taught that makes Science Exciting is by following the 5E Model of Lesson Planning. The five E's standing for, Engagement, Exploration, Explanation, Expansion (or Elaboration, Extension), and Evaluation, introduces a foreign science concept and eases its way into the students through interactive and certainly scintillating means. The Engagement Phase involves relating everyday themes to the topic, maybe involving a discrepant event (demonstrating an experiment that essentially breaks down preconceived notions, eliciting unexpected results), or an engaging question. It allows the students to think, and provides a great way to transition into the Exploration Phase, in which the students are carrying out the experiment itself. Allow the students to interact with tangible objects, communicating with their peers and test out certain variables, perform experiments, run trials, etc. These are the hands-on activities that really get students moving, not only their bodies (sometimes) but their minds, most importantly! This model really allows them to think like scientists. The rest of the three phases come after or are embedded in the exploration phase. But the first two phases really capture the students attention, no matter how abstract, boring, or hard the science theme.

Here is a website that may help summarize the phases tersely: https://wehavekids.com/education/How-to-create-a-5-E-Lesson-Plan

Hope this helps in the least!