Iris Simpson

TX

Tue, Apr 14, 2020 10:53 PM
Sensing Matter: Is It a Liquid or Solid?

I added this article to my collections because the lesson and activities are well written and described. I also like that the lesson integrates technology. The teacher uses the book What Is the World Made of? All About Solids, Liquids, and Gases to engage the student's curiosity. I like the idea that the students go on an in-school tour to identify solids and liquids. By reading this article, I learned that solids and liquids are not as clear for young learners to discover. Students can have misconceptions about what objects can be classified as solid or liquid matter. I would use the information from this article as a lesson in my classroom. I would apply the TEKS 2.5.A for my classroom lesson. I like the use of technology, charts for recording their observations, and the discourse sticks for discussion. I agree this lesson will empower students to take ownership of their learning. The lesson is well thought out and allows for student engagement and critical thinking.

Tue, Apr 14, 2020 9:54 PM
Science Shorts: Wind at Work

I chose this article to add to my collection of resource articles because it was about alternative energy. Students need to learn about alternative energy and how it can help and affect the environment. After reading the article, I learned how a wind turbine works. I also learned that one wind turbine needs about two acres of land and can produce enough electricity for about 400 homes a year. I would use the information from this article to create a lesson for alternative energy using the TEKS 5.7(C). Based on my experience, I have helped students build wind turbines and investigate wind energy. I agree with the article on how students can explore the concepts of wind energy and how the lesson can connect students to real-world solutions.

Tue, Apr 14, 2020 8:49 PM
Scaly, Slimy Fun in Prekindergarten

I chose this article for my collection because I want to teach Prekindergarten. I also choose this article because it’s about exploring nature. Exploring nature is an excellent way for students to learn by about organisms and their environments. New information I learned reading this article was how frogs and box turtles hibernate. I would use the information in this article to implement a hands-on activity for my Prekindergarten classroom to learn about organisms and their environment. The Prekindergarten guidelines I would use for this lesson would be: VI.B.1. Child observes, investigates, describes and discusses the characteristics of organisms. The child: describes color, size, and shape of organisms, describes animals’ needs for food, water, air, and shelter or plants’ needs for water, nutrients, air, and light, compares differences and similarities of animals. Based on my experience, I agree with the article when it states that children are losing familiarity with the natural world. Children need to academically explore their world outside the classroom.