Water, Water Everywhere Collection
Thu, Nov 19, 2015 10:31 PM
Love it!
I really enjoyed this collection. The diversity of the sources not only made the collection interesting to browse, but would be extremely beneficial if I were to use it to create a lesson. The six different book chapters, journal article, and science objects all had to do with the water cycle, but presented different aspects of it, and in different ways.
I really liked how one of the book chapters discusses literacy (writing) and the water cycle. I think that any time a teacher can incorporate many discipline areas, he/she should. I also really liked the journal article "Examining Language to Capture Scientific Understandings: The Case of the Water Cycle." I have learned, and in this course especially, that teaching science to elementary students is not easy! Though concepts may seem "simple", they absolutely are not! As educators, we need to have a firm grasp on the material we are going to teach. I like that this source is especially helpful for the teacher with preparations on the subject/material.
Lastly, I really like how the collection comes full circle with the scipack "Resources and Human Impact: Environmental Degradation." Students need to not only learn about ideas and concepts like the water cycle, but also the implications of having that knowledge means. Being informed makes you responsible. If students are informed on the water cycle, they should also be informed on the ways we, as humans, are disrupting and polluting the natural process.
I will definitely use this collection in the future with my class! :)