Teachers' Domain, Teaching Elementary Physical Science, published August 23, 2010, retrieved on ,
http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/tdpd.sci.eps/
Motion and Forces in Your World
(PD Resource)
Understanding Motion and Force
(PD Resource)
Understanding Properties and Structures
(PD Resource)
Teaching Elementary Physical Science is designed to increase educators' understanding and teaching of physical science. Participants explore physical science concepts of motion, force, and matter that are part of daily life and learn how to incorporate observation, discourse, and experimentation to increase understanding of physical science of students at the elementary level. Participants will investigate physical science topics using hands-on activities and online resources including video segments, interactive activities, readings, and other multimedia materials. These resources are drawn from Teachers' Domain, WGBH's digital library service.
Eight sessions cover key content and methodologies for teaching physical science in the elementary school classroom.
Session 1: A Window onto Your World
Learners discover that physical science concepts, content, and activities are part of their daily experience. Teaching and learning strategies focus on ways to use prior knowledge as a foundation for learning.
Session 2: Motion and Force
Learners sharpen their observations and understandings about motion and explore the relationship between motion and force. Teaching and learning strategies focus on observation of scientific phenomena.
Session 3: Investigating Rolling and Falling
Learners examine two specific types of motion -- rolling and falling. Using prediction and observation, they arrive at a more detailed understanding of acceleration with respect to these types of motion, as well as its relationship to force. Teaching and learning strategies focus on use of prediction as a learning tool.
Session 4: A Unified Look at Force Phenomena
Learners seek commonalities of motion and force in different areas of physical science study. Teaching and learning strategies focus on rich discourse.
Session 5: Moving Forward
Learners examine forward motion and related forces to deepen and extend their previous learning about fundamental force principles. Teaching and learning strategies focus on experimentation as a learning tool.
Session 6: Connecting Forces, Motion, and Properties
Learners examine how materials and objects respond to and apply forces. Teaching and learning strategies focus on problem solving as a pathway to learning.
Session 7: Forces and Materials in Static Structures
Learners explore factors that allow static structures to remain stable. Teaching and learning strategies focus on ongoing assessment of understanding.
Session 8: Structure of Matter
Learners consider force, motion, and structure on the smallest scale of matter, learning about the structure of materials, atoms, and their components. Teaching and learning strategies focus on using models to learn and teach about abstract concepts.
All sessions and their content correspond to the National Science Education Standards.
Loading Standards
Teachers' Domain is proud to be a Pathways portal to the National Science Digital Library.
Overview
Print Overview
