Laureen Howe

USA

Sat, Nov 23, 2019 1:05 PM
Insects - Book Chapter Review

I thought this book chapter provided great hands-on activities for elementary and primary students to not only engage in but will provide life long knowledge about insects. Observing insect behavior is an activity that can be done just about anywhere outdoors and indoors if teachers want to order kits. The bug zoo activity could save some money and it would provide students with the experience of capturing the insects and then observing them. The students will learn not only to be careful handling the insects, but they will gain a respect for them and their importance to our world. So many extensions of learning can be done just from observing them everyday. It would be interesting to have students do some research to find out how many years a certain species of insect has existed.

Biology: Photosynthesis Collection

Fri, Nov 22, 2019 3:30 PM
Review of the Biology: Photosynthesis Collection

In my opinion the Biology: Photosynthesis Collection is a good collection and provides some valuable information to teach students about photosynthesis. It includes four items that provide educators with helpful knowledge about photosynthesis. 1. An article titled 3-D Teaching Models for All conveys how using the sense of touch can benefit students and how teachers can create models using cost-friendly and easily found materials. 2. Cells and Chemical Reactions: Photosynthesis are two-hour interactive online inquiry-based content modules that examine the chemical reactions that take place in plant cells and the process of photosynthesis used by plants. 3. Seedlings in a Jar, is a book chapter that examines investigating closed systems and that air has mass and contains substances that plants need to make food and thrive. 4. Strong STEMs Need Strong Sprouts!, a journal article that looks at how students examine the how and why plants work that allows students to gain a deeper understanding of science concepts and to make real world connections. My suggestion would be to add Plant Biomass (Photosynthesis) by Sampson & Schleigh, a book chapter that provides an activity for students to gain knowledge of syntheses, source of plant biomass, and supports opportunities to help students develop writing, speaking, and listening skills as well as other skills important to science.

Sun, Oct 13, 2019 1:30 PM
My take on the Journal Article: Editor's Note: Early Childhood Engineering Exper

I have been an early childhood educator for nearly twenty years. I have had the opportunity, over the years, to come into contact with many of my former students and have found them to be well-rounded young people. I have volunteered in a classroom of 4th graders that were working on a group project in which some of the students were with me when they were 3 years old in preschool. This opportunity allowed me to see first hand how well they collaborated with others in their groups. This article suggests that when student's successes are celebrated and valued that it will build on a student's ability to be persistent and it also helps build their motivation to become better at something. I agree with this statement. I think it has much more value than experts may know. This may benefit a students' prosperity over a lifetime. Collaboration is a skill that becomes extremely important as children become older and remains important throughout their lives, as they need that skill to function in a workplace or within their communities. Children begin learning how to collaborate in preschool by sharing toys, building together, or even working on a puzzle together. Children can also learn about empathy when engaged in a collaborative activity.