STRATEGIES FOR SCIENCE LEARNING Presented by: Christina Lewis Nelitza Phillips Mindy Stitcher

An Integrated Approach Four strategies with an integrative approach that includes children’s literature and experimentation to help children correct misconceptions.

STRATEGY: PART I Identify the student’s misconceptions (i.e. KWL Strategy) Review oral and written responses to questions Identify areas of concern Look for related literature, real-world connections to help facilitate change.

STRATEGY: PART II Confront the misconceptions through inquiry. Demonstrate discrepant event – an event that has an outcome different from what the students expect.

STRATEGY: PART III Present a multitude of experiences that challenge the student’s erroneous beliefs. Hands on activities Real-world connections (i.e. literature, experts, etc.)

STRATEGY: PART IV Present evidence that supports the validity of a “new” concept & discuss evidence in a logical manner See how evidence supports scientific viewpoints or contradicts their beliefs

CENTER 1: Experimentation Students are asked to participate in the “Falling Objects” experiment that test a variety of objects to determine if they fall to the ground at the same time. Students are asked to answer questions regarding their findings. Questions and answers are recorded in their field journals.

CENTER 2: Literature Links Students are asked to review three different sources of information regarding the free fall of objects Students answer the questions based on the material from the resources. Students record questions and answers in their field journals.

CENTER 3: CONNECTING Information from Centers 1 and 2 is discussed and elaborated on. Center questions are reviewed and discussed. “Falling objects” experiment is performed with the students predicting the correct result.

A child must be presented with several activities in order to correct their misconceptions.