How has teaching science to elementary children changed over the years?

Only a short time ago, science was taught using a lecture format. That is, teachers told kids why something happened and kids basically read science books and answered questions.

OOPS! A short time ago? This is still the method too often used. Why? When asking educators about this, following are three common answers:

1. Science is too messy!
(What about Arts and Crafts ? Aren’t they messy?)

2. Science is too hard.
(So is playing the piano if you start with Chopin.)

3. My kids don’t like science.
(Why?)

The kids in the photo are are doing a science experiment.

Is the experiment messy? YEP!
Does it seem to hard for these young learners? UUM! Looks like that is not an issue.
Do the kids appear to like what they are doing? You Bet!!

Do the two kids  know all the science behind the activity? NO, and they don’t need to be introduced to it until they are old enough to understand the concepts.

In a homeschool environment there may be older kids that can do more than just play with corn starch and water. In fact, they will ask lots of questions about this unusual behaving MIXTURE.

I think the fact that many parents are concerned about not knowing all the answers to science questions limits their science curriculum.

The best way to teach science is to be part of your own class. Yes, you are the facilitator, but don’t take on the role of the “teacher that knows all the answers.” In fact, with science, don’t always give the answers even if you know them.

Science is best enjoyed using the inquiry–discovery method. This means that you and your children will:

PLAY AND LEARN about science together

A good answer to most science questions is, “UUM! I WONDER…..”

I give this answer so often to my grandchildren that when they ask me something about science, they will stop themselves and say, “Yea! I know, YOU WONDER ABOUT THAT.”

I encourage you to start having fun with science. The kids in the photo are discovering the properties of “Oblek” AKA “slime” or “gloob” which you can do as well with some fun and easy slime science activities.