Free Reproducibles
Teaching Students to Think Like Scientists
Strategies Aligned With Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards
It is essential that students learn to examine, review, and evaluate knowledge and ideas through a process of scientific investigation and argumentation. Using these instructional methods and lesson scenarios, teachers of all disciplines will gain the tools needed to offer students a richer, lasting understanding of science, its concepts, and its place in their lives and the global community.
Benefits
- Motivate students to become engaged, curious participants in science.
- Understand and align science instruction with the Common Core State Standards for English language arts/literacy and the Next Generation Science Standards.
- Equip students with the tools to read, analyze, evaluate, and respond to scientific issues.
- Prepare students to engage in argumentation, develop claims based on evidence founded in research, and participate in debate and discussion of scientific ideas.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1: Empowering Students to Learn Scientific Practices
Chapter 2: Learning to Talk Like a Scientist
Chapter 3: Learning to Write Like a Scientist
Chapter 4: Learning to Read Like a Scientist
Chapter 5: Empowering Students to Think Like Scientists
PRINTABLE REPRODUCIBLES
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
- Figure 2.5: Form to Record Data for Observed Objects
- Mr. Russell’s Fourth Grade Class
- Mrs. Sanders’ Fourth Grade Class
- Active Volcanoes, Tectonic Plates and the “Rings of Fire”
Chapter 3
- Argumentative Essay Guidesheet and Brainstorming Map
- Collaborative Guidesheet
- Figure 3.1: Semantic Feature Analysis Chart
- Mr. McDonald’s Fifth-Grade Class
- Opinion Paper Feedback Guidesheet
- Semantic Analysis Map
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
- Assessing the Strength of the Written Argument in Science
- Assessment of Student Oral Language Performance
- Instructional Activities and Assessments That Support Learning and Communicating Like a Scientist
- Self-Assessment of Metacognition
SUGGESTED RESOURCES
- American Association for the Advancement of Science: Resources for Science Literacy
- Blogger
- BrainPOP
- CBS News
- Common Core State Standards
- Discovery Education: Weathering and Erosion
- Energy Flow in the Coral Reef Ecosystem
- Free Fall in Empty Space “Feather & Hammer Drop on Moon” (Apollo footage)
- How Your Heart Works
- Is the Space Program Worth It?
- Kid’s Corner Animal Classification
- Moon phases
- National Science Teachers Association
- Neurological Impress Method
- New Mexico Solar Energy Association
- New 2013 Phases of the Moon Animation Released
- Next Generation Science Standards
- The Physics Classroom
- The Physics Classroom Longitudinal Wave
- SchoolTube
- Science Ages 9-10: Changing State
- Science Kids
- Science News for Students
- Sheppard Software
- Solar Cookers International
- Storybird
- Wave and Tidal Erosion in Chinnamudaliarhavadi
- WordPress