David Knapp

Science Matters
Grades 3-5

21st Century Skills

The term 21st Century Skills

refers to a broad set of
knowledge, skills, work habits, and
character traits that are critically
important to success in all academic
subject areas, and in all
educational, career, and civic
settings throughout a students
life.

Why do elementary students

need to learn science?

Forming a question, then creating

and experimenting to find the
answer to the question, is a
concrete way for students to
learn how to improve problemsolving & critical thinking skills
Knowledge of science content lays
the foundation for future success
Our world is dominated by science
and technology; students need
understanding of these aspects to
be successful in today's world
When science is taught in an
inquiry approach, it teaches
children how to learn
Technology is furthered
everyday by science, and in turn
science is furthered by
technology -- so the sooner we
begin integrating science into the
classroom the more students can
learn and grow

Examples of 21st Century Skills

we use in our classroom include:
Critical thinking, problem solving,

reasoning, analysis
Research skills
Creativity, curiosity, imagination,
innovation, personal expression
Perseverance, self-direction, selfdiscipline, adaptability, initiative
Oral and written communication,
public speaking and listening
Leadership, teamwork, collaboration,
cooperation
Scientific literacy and reasoning; the
scientific method

Students learn science best when:

They are involved in first-hand
exploration and investigation
Inquiry skills are nurtured
They are engaged, can explore,
learn the terminology of new
concepts, apply those concepts
and demonstrate their
understanding through active,
authentic experiences
They ask questions and are given
opportunities to explore and
investigate in answering questions.
Students have opportunities to
reflect on their own thinking
Students collaborate with peers
Students take on classroom
leadership roles (they present
their work, critique each others
work, express their ideas, make
decisions about experiments)
Students use technology to
explore and communicate
Students manipulate different
materials

My philosophy: As a teacher I
will work to foster communication,
exploration, inquiry & experimentation
in an environment
promoting
student
discovery and
positive
communicationchallenging
students while
providing them
opportunities to
lead, discover and
collaborate.
Students will keep interactive journals
about each
topic we
study, as well
as
maintaining a
personally
developed
dictionary of
science
vocabulary.
Students will
have
opportunities to display their ideas in
multiple ways, i.e. in small groups
students will create posters, skits,
etc. to demonstrate what they have
learned then communicate this to the
rest of the class.

How Parents can help:

See science everywhere: take

opportunities to ask "What would

happen if ?" Children need to know
that science isn't just a subject; it
is a way of understanding the world.

Students can expect to be doing:

Students will be active participants in
their own learning and communicating
their ideas with peers and teachers.
Students will participate in student
led discussions, being encouraged to
ask questions and explain their own
thinking with others
Students will manipulate variables
during experiments and record their
observations.
When students are learning about
energy and friction they will be
designing and making their own roller
coasters.
As students are learning about
projectile motion they will be working
with catapults and launchers.
While discovering about density of
objects students will design their own
computer simulations to determine if
an object would sink or float.
Exploring chemistry concepts
students will observe the reactions
of non-harmful chemicals

Encourage girls and boys equally.

Explore science centers, museums,
zoos, aquariums with your child.
Connect science with a family
vacation, ex: a hiking trip where you
explore nature or a discussion on
tides during a beach vacation.
Show excitement for science.

References include:
NSTA: National Science Teachers Association
http://www.nsta.org/about/positions/21stcentury.aspx
Next Generation Science Standards
http://www.nextgenscience.org/overview-0
ICCs Characteristics of Effective Instruction:
Student-centered Learning
https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jfnWYScig3rdTN5xNZqiPsazssh
c2JAA0c2WrjO9tfU/edit#slide=id.p26

Image credits (in order):

www.citizen-times.com; www.education.org;
www.reef2rainforest.com; www.tdn.com
www.gettyimages.com; www.Scholastic.com