Elementary Science Education Articles for Teachers

Springtime is a season of growth, change, and renewal. The smells in the air and the brilliant sunshine make it a favorite time of year for everyone. However, it also a time when children of all ages may see changes occurring. Perhaps they no longer feel close to the best friend they have had for...

Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow on Groundhog Day to announce 6 more weeks of winter. Keeping his prediction alive and well, the chill in the air brings a myriad of opportunities for winter inspired activities and lessons. Delighting the senses in a winter wonderland Exploring the sens...

In the real world, our activities rarely involve a singular discipline. The process of purchasing a car often requires researching various models online (language arts and science), crunching numbers to determine how much one can afford (math), and talking to friends or neighbors about their expe...

Myths. Folklore. Urban legends. Most students are familiar with at least a few examples of these; for instance, mention the idea that Americans never landed on the moon, and you’re sure to elicit a bevy of opinions!  Fascination with urban legends is one reason the television show Mythbusters, h...

The beginning of every school year is an exciting time for both children and teachers – everyone is ready for new opportunities, friends, and learning experiences. The first few months set the tone in our classrooms, and it is the perfect time for teachers to show students that science is not onl...

Busted!  The Mythbusters phenomenon has proven or busted hundreds of urban legends over the years, and many science teachers have transferred the techniques used by the quirky duo of Adam and Jamie to the classroom. Using modern day science to separate fact from fiction seems as though it might r...

Since the beginning of time the Earth has been subject to constant erosion caused by water, wind, ice, and waves. It is the reason valleys form and beaches shift along the coastline. There are many interesting, interactive ways for your students to learn about this scientific process here are s...

There is a moment in every child’s life when they begin asking that magical question, "Why?" As a teacher, I think it is my job to promote this type of questioning. I want my students to thrive on a quest for knowledge, taking pride in the process and discovery of the answer to this most importan...

Organic produce is becoming more readily available, farmer’s markets are springing up everywhere, and community gardens have been appearing in the most unlikely places. Many schools are starting their own gardens and are placing the control in their students’ hands. The results are astounding: st...

When students found out that we were going to study rocks for our next science topic, I heard groans from every corner of the room.  It turned out that after a preschool fascination with the shiny, round, and sparkly varieties, rocks don’t hold the attention of many elementary students. Changing ...

Last fall, our school’s parent organization raised funds to beautify the courtyard between the two main buildings on our school campus. In addition to new foliage, a natural stone path was created from large rocks leftover from a construction dig. While walking through the courtyard this spring, ...

In many classrooms, measurement concepts are often practiced using assigned problems requiring conversions, identifying correct measurements from pictures, and basic measurement of various lines on a worksheet. After completing these types of problems, students often show a basic comprehension of...

As state assessments conclude and the smell of freshly cut grass hits the air, students’ spring fever is at an all-time high! Spring is a wonderful time to get your students outside after a long winter of indoor activities and grueling test preparation, and this time of year also provides teachab...

“Wow, what’s that?!” “Gross!  Are those bugs?” “Cool - do we get to do experiments with those things?” These are just a few of the comments from my students when I introduced our newest class pets a few weeks ago – Madagascar Hissing Cockroa...

With spring upon us, many of our students will soon be partaking in the age-old traditions of coloring eggs and community egg hunts. While eggs can be great for dying and hiding around this time of year, most people don’t realize that they can also provide a wealth of “egg-citing” science – and n...