Contents
In this Science Snippets Smore, you will find the following:
- Instructional Focus: Questioning
- Instructional Strategy: Notice and Wonder
- OSTA Fall Camp
- Science Materials Order Forms
- Science Safety
- Upcoming PD Dates
- Science Olympics
- Curriculum Materials
- MPS Science Resources
- Children's Books
- Science Outside the Classroom
Instructional Focus: Asking Questions and Defining Problems
As we spoke about on Coordinator Day, we are focusing on a different Science and Engineering Practice each month. For October we are focusing on the following:
Asking Questions and Defining Problems
A practice of science is to ask and refine questions that lead to descriptions and explanations of how the antial and designed world(s) works. Engineering questions claridy problems to determine criteria for successful solutions.
Letting Our Students Question: Notice and Wonder
Walk into any PK or Kindergarten room, and you will hear hundreds of questions a day:
- "Why is the sky blue?"
- "Why is the grass green?"
- "What is lightning made of?"
- "What are these hard things on the end of my shoe laces?"
Walk into a upper elementary classroom, and we should hear lots of questions - but do we? Are we still encouraging students to ask questions, to wonder? We want our students to be curious. Sometimes, we limit questions because it makes us uncomfortable to not know the answer, but that is what science is all about - being curious and finding out. We want our students to be critical thinkers and problem solvers, and we need to encourage students to ask those difficult questions. It's okay if we don't know the answer. We get an opportunity to model how we FIND the answer.
"If we want students to function as independent thinkers, we need to provide opportunities in our science classes that allow for greater student involvement and initiative and less teacher domination of the learning process. This means a shift in teacher role from that of information-giver to that of a facilitator and guide of the learning process." Patricia E. Blosser, Professor of Science Education, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
Replacing Consumable Materials
If you ordered materials through the grade-level material forms, they should be on their way to you soon. We spent Monday and Tuesday going to several different Wal-Mart and Sam's stores to get you what you requested. Now, we are sorting all of the materials per your orders. If you are going to be coming up to ASC, please let me know. Otherwise, we will be delivering these items to you as soon as possible.
So you know the basics, but what does it actually LOOK LIKE in the classroom?
Discovery in Action
September 27th 4:30 - 5:30
ASC Board Room
Science Olympics Sponsors
We will meet through zoom to discuss timelines, events, due dates, etc.
I have set up 5 different opportunities for sponsor training. Please attend ONE of the 30-minute trainings.
- Wednesday, Sept. 28th
- 3:30 - 4:00
- Wednesday, Sept. 28th
- 4:15 - 4:45
- Thursday, Sept. 29th
- 3:30 - 4:00
- Thursday, Sept. 29th
- 4:15 - 4:45
- Zoom Link for all PM meetings
- Tuesday, Oct. 4th
- 8:15 am 8:45 am
- Zoom Link for AM meeting
Planetarium Training
If you have reserved the planetarium or just want to see what it's all about, please come to our Planetarium Training!
- October 4th
- 4:30 - 5:30
- Sky Ranch Elementary
Stemscopes
For those new to 6th grade science or veterans that would like to share best practices, this is the time! We will meet through zoom to discuss successes, struggles, and questions. Whether you have been teaching for 3 months or 30 years, all are welcome!
October 18th 4:15 - 5:15
Instructional Strategies
Are your students struggling to grasp AND KEEP information? Are they struggling with vocabulary? This is the session for you! There are two opportunities for this session.
October 25th
4:30 - 5:30
ASC
November 1st
4:30 - 5:30
Fairview Elementary Media Center
Books for Science Lessons
These books will be a great addition to our 1st, 3rd, and 5th grade science units in October. Next month, we will highlight books for other grade levels. Remember that on your science pacing guide, there are several books from MyOn listed for each one of your topics that you can use to add literature to your science lessons.
The KIng Who Banned the Dark (1st Grade)
Written by: Emily Haworth-Booth
Most children are scared of the dark at some time or other. The hero of this story actually gets to do something about it! He’s a Prince—and when he becomes King he decides to ban the dark completely. At first, everyone celebrates. But before long, no one can sleep and the exhausted citizens are ready to revolt. Can the people help the King face his fears, turn off the lights, and see that you can’t appreciate the light without having the dark, too?
Magnet Max (3rd Grade)
Written by: Monica Lozano Hughes
Magnet Max loves experimenting with magnets. He knows all about how they work and loves using them to attract new types of things. But when he shows them to his friend Nick, the other boy is baffled. Will magnets stick to a paperclip? A refrigerator? A horse? How do they work, anyway? It must be magic! Join Max and Nick as they explore the science behind the magic. Discover which objects are attracted and why some are while others aren't. In Magnet Max, Monica Hughes uses her experience as an educator to explain scientific concepts in clear, easy-to-follow language. Catchy rhymes and the colorful illustrations of Holly Weinstein add to the fun. Watch your children's curiosity come to life as they explore the wonders of magnetism with Magnet Max!
Oh Say Can You Seed? (5th Grade)
Written by: Bonnie Worth
We have this fun and zany plant book that adds a sense of fantasy in a world of nonfiction! Students will follow along with The Cat in the Hat, Thing 1, and Thing 2 as they examine the various parts of plants, seeds, and flowers. This text also touches on basic photosynthesis, pollination, and seed dispersal.
Oklahoma Osteology Museum
The Oklahoma Osteology Museum has several great things planned for October.
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Event (Kid Event)- October 31st 6pm - 9pm. Information and Tickets
Sam Noble
October 12th 6 - 8 pm - National Fossil Day
Adult Only Event
October 8th 10:30 am - 5:00 pm - Kid Event Science of the Spooky
Join us for a day of uncovering the science behind the spooky! Travel through our web maze and play our spider toss game, plus uncover the mystery behind animal skeletons and skulls! All activities are bilingual in both English and Spanish and are free with general admission.
October 15th -1:00 pm - 4:00 pm - We Dig Bio: Transcribing the Past
Visitors can sign up now for our free adult program, WeDigBio, taking place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 15! Join us for a free global science program of digitizing collections. Participants will receive specimen data to transcribe into the database. We will also have an ornithologist giving a brief talk about being an ornithologist in the field.
October 29th 10:30 am - 2:30 pm - Archeology Day
Join us on Oct. 29 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. as we celebrate Archaeology Day! Through ancient relics and clues, archaeologists learn about how ancient civilizations grew and changed, and now children and families are invited to explore this fascinating field of study through games, crafts and activities! Search for clues in our archaeology scavenger hunt, dig up artifacts in our exploration sand pit, learn how arrowheads are made, and much more!
Oklahoma Science Museum
October 21st - They're Alive! SMO21: Monsters, Mutations, and Mayhem (21 and older to enter) Information and Tickets
10:30 AM on Saturdays: Storytime Science - Early Childhood
Storytime Science moves to a new location for each story — check with a team member or at the Guest Relations Booth for directions.
At Storytime Science children read a story and follow it up with a fun, hands-on scientific activity related to the book.
