Profile | NSTA

Carolyn Mohr
Chicago Botanic Garden, Southern Illinois University/Carbondale & Dominican University
IL

My NSTA / Peers / Carolyn Mohr

I enjoy traveling to new places, hiking to new heights, and learning new things that I can share. Besides being a field trip instructor and Camp Instrutor at the Chicago Botanic Garden, I teach science methods and education courses at Southern Illinois University/Carbondale and Dominican University/River Forest. I am the Site Director for Elementary Education for SIU's University Center extended campus. I am also a Senior Online Advisor and Web Seminar Moderator for the NSTA. I love my work!

Public Collections
Recent Public Collections by Carolyn

FINGERPRINTING, CSI, with STEM connections COLLECTION

Using fingerprint technology, students will delve into ways our fingerprints are being used with simple technology.

12 Resources

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Elementary Differentiation Resources by Carolyn

These are resources that can be used by elementary teachers to find ways to accommodate various differentiation needs within their classrooms.

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Forum Posts
Recent Posts by Carolyn

Tue, Oct 31, 2023 2:33 PM in How to make STEM engaging

Hello Maria, Good luck with your educational pursuits and congratulations for choosing what promises to be a very rewarding profession! I don't think our children come to us with a fear of science. Would you agree that they fear what they don't know or understand, yet are expected to ssometimes with little support. One of the great resources we have as teachers include the ...

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Tue, Oct 31, 2023 2:17 PM in Literature to Drive Science Instruction Advice

Hello Libny, Let me introduce you to the PICTURE PERFECT LADIES, Karen Ansberry and Emily Morgan. They are amazing and have authored hundreds of lessons and several "Picture Perfect" books through the NSTA Press. One of their lessons that I use all of the time in my science methods classes is "How Big is a Foot?" It is a lesson plan that you can download ...

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Tue, Oct 31, 2023 1:59 PM in Science Fieldtrips- Yes or No?

Hi Kristine, I am assuming your son is NOT in kindergarten. If he is, his teachers must be amazing to be willing to take kindergartners on a 3-day trip. As a former middle school teacher, I helped chaperone many trips over the years - to Mexico and Washington D.C. The most important criteria included if they were respectful of each other, their teachers, and the scho...

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Reviews
Recent Reviews by Carolyn

Sat, Jan 11, 2020 10:36 PM
A Simpler Inquiry Model for our Youngest Science Investigators!

Who doesn't like a freebee? To introduce their book, "A Head Start on Life Science: Encouraging a Sense of Wonder," the author William Straits shares chapters 1 and 2 in the NSTA Learning Center Library for free to members and non-members alike. You will love the simplified inquiry lesson plan model on page 6. Then in chapter 2, it is written up as a lesson with 'Roly-polies." The 3 part lesson plan model consists of a) Getting Started, b) Investigating, and c) Making Sense. Check it out if you want some great information on creating and using lessons with 3 - 7 year olds. I noticed that the 'Family Activities' were provided in English and Spanish. Check it out under: 'Science for Young Children' by doing a explore all resources search at: https://learningcenter.nsta.org/search/ I have added this to my list of books to buy now!

Sat, Jan 11, 2020 10:17 PM
Connecting Common Core with STEM lessons

I came across this free offering to members and non-members alike in the NSTA Learning Center - Ch 6 of the book, Designing Meaningful STEM Lessons. I found pages 30 and 32 of particular interest - page 30 shows the connections between the Science and Engineering Practices (SEPs) of the NGSS with the common core Math standards. Page 32 is a Venn Diagram of the commonalities among the science, math and ELA practices. As a result of perusing this book chapter, I am ready to purchase the whole book! It should be a great resource for those of us wanting to create STEM lessons!

Killing Two Birds With One Stone

Mon, Sep 17, 2018 6:32 PM
ELA & Science: A Match Made in Heaven

If you are "biting at the bit" because your principal doesn't see any value in teaching science, this article will help him/her see how you can "kill two birds with one stone". Students conceptualize everyday phenomena and make their thinking visible while practicing English and language arts strategies. The author relies heavily on interactive notebooks where students practice their reading and writing as they engage in critical thinking skills, apply their learning to new situations, and connect prior knowledge to new phenomenal occurrences. The article is an outstanding example of how to document student thinking and understanding, too. When interactive notebooks are used throughout the school year, you have student-generated data at your fingertips to show students' continuing growth in reading, writing, and reasoning skills. What more could a principal ask for?

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