Good Practices for a Good Elementary Science Teacher

Students of elementary classes are interactive and enjoy group activities. They like to make
their own decisions. They move from thinking concretely and literally to thinking more
creatively or theoretically. Children at this age have the tendency to be impatient, anxious, and
easily discouraged. On the other hand, they are also joyful, enthusiastic, and positive.
Use the following guidelines to teach science to elementary grades to achieve a positive
learning experience.
 Math skills are increasing at this age, therefore provide them opportunities to measure
a variety of materials, both liquid, and dry. They must be given opportunities to solve
problems on their own or in a group setting for independent thinking.
 Forming a hypothesis by predicting what will happen in an experiment provides an ideal
opportunity for the students to foster critical thinking. To push their thoughts to see
how the world works around them the following may help.
 What will happen next?
 Why did that happen?
 What is the name of the outcome?
 Students in this age group want confidence in their work. Let them participate in
experiments. If possible, allow them to assist younger students. All these activities
increase their confidence in themselves.
 Science vocabulary words are essential for grasping science concepts and deeper
comprehension. It also provides them with new things to know about, also the ability to
think, reason, draw conclusions, and communicate effectively.
 Through observation and experimentation, students are performing “real science.
Fostering a love for science helps students encounter the world at a deeper level. It may
even set a course for future science careers.
 Support pupils to retain and retrieve knowledge and must be starting with background
knowledge and a recap of relevant, previously taught ideas.
 Practical science is one of the best ways to engage pupils and help improve their
understanding of theory.
 Use structured feedback i.e. marks are more systematic than comments only.
 Begin the year with a discussion of what is and is not science and what characteristics
make science different from other human endeavors.
 Model the behaviors, strategies, and scientific language that you want from your
students.
 Use photos and video to emphasize that science is done in many different ways by many
different people.
 You may have reread-to-use kits.
 If you are teaching just science, you can transform it into a science lab.
 Use activities in which students apply/develop scientific processes themselves.