Strand 4. Participate productively in scientific practices and discourse

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Strands of Science Proficiency

• This was done daily, with experiments in all of our areas of study. We also wrapped up each class reflecting on what we learned and what we were still wondering.

• We learned through inquiry, so we were involved in the scientific practices because we were asking questions, doing experiments, and concluded our class each day with what we had learned as well as what we were still wondering.

• Every participant must be included in ever activity and discussion (otherwise they're not really participating, then, are they?) in order to be on track with the group in the efforts toward scientific explanations.

• This proficiency was demonstrated in small group and class discussions.

• After taking this course, I have really realized the critical use of inquiry and sparking a students scientific practices in understanding the natural phenomenon that occur and how to teach them in a way that forms clear understanding of why, how and what makes these concepts happen. This also teaches students how to use their observations, data they collect and questions they have to help them answer many different phenomenon. I personally had some difficulties wrapping my brain around inquiry learning and the methods used, but this is because I was taught in a different style that consisted of lecture, reading the textbook and regurgitating the information on to worksheets that didn't really explain in a way how and why the phenomena works. In my future classroom, I will definitely use this method of teaching, because through my personal experience in this class it is clear as day that this amazing method works. Through the many articles we have read, videos of students learning in this method and also going to the 4th grade class and seeing this with my own eyes really has blown me away with how important it is to continue this teaching style and how the students really do know more than what some may think, just from their personal experiences and how their amazing little brains work.

• In other words, students are involved in hands-on learning and lessons include the combination of science and literacy. We used this proficiency every day in class by writing down our observations, discoveries, and then reflecting on what we learned in class that day. We would also explore science outside of the classroom by either teaching a family member about a particular lesson, or observing phenomena—such as the moon—on our own time.