E l e m e n t a r y E d i t i o n
N o v e m b e r 2 0 0 4
WRITING TO LEARN SCIENCEThe merits of incorporating writing activities into your science
curriculum are many. You can assess students' misconceptions and
preconceptions through their writings. When students have to write
about a topic, they have to explore it in greater depth than they
would if they were simply having a class discussion. Writing exposes
gaps in knowledge that discussions may not reveal. Students' writing
skills sharpen when they have to write in specific content areas,
and their critical-thinking skills improve as well. Take the advice
from the authors of an article in this month's Science and Children,
and make thinking visible by encouraging your students to write. Writing to Learn Science in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (Visit http://www.nsta.org/mainnews for nationwide news for science educators). Living Lab is a Smart Approach to Teaching (USA Today) An award-winning educator turns her classroom into a living lab to teach students language arts and math through hands-on science. http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030402/5023675s.htm Writing to Learn Science on the Net In this month's elementary journal, Science and Children, NSTA members read "Making Things Visible." The link to that article is: http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=sc&n=49933 NSTA Articles on Writing to Learn Science The following NSTA journal articles show how some teachers add writing components to their science lessons. Click here to read more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-11/elementary.htm Books, Books, Books The NSTA Science Store and catalogs offer NSTA Press books and
other outstanding titles for science educators. Selections for this
issue are grade appropriate and were chosen for their relevance
to the theme of this http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-11/books_elementary.htm To read about the newest titles available from NSTA press, visit: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-11/newbookselem.htm To receive the latest NSTA Catalog for your specific grade level, visit: http://ecommerce.nsta.org/catalog_signup Professional Development A new study offers guidance to university administrators and legal counsels, as well as educators—to help them enhance diversity in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Click here to learn more: http://www.nsta.org/main/news/stories/nsta_story.php?news_story_ID=49857 Global Science Teaching The International Task Force Gets Down to Business President-Elect Michael Padilla is the chair of NSTA's International Task Force; he has been making the rounds in Washington. He has been meeting with officials of key organizations in preparation for the first NSTA task force meeting in Indianapolis on November 6. Padilla met with Joseph Esposito, U.S. Department of Education's undersecretary for international affairs as well as officials from NASA/Globe and the National Science Foundation. Padilla also conducted a teleconference with Alan Farstrup, executive director of the International Reading Association. His purposes for these meetings were twofold: to learn of each organization's international activities and to discuss areas of mutual interest and potential activity. If you would like to provide suggestions for the task force meeting, please contact either Michael Padilla at mpadilla@coe.uga.edu or Frank Owens at fowens@nsta.org. NSTA Opportunities Write for NSTA's Journals Science and Children (Grades PreK–5) has issued a Call for Papers on specific topics. Click here to find out more: The NSTA Career Center NSTA's new online Career Center provides job listings from around the nation, a place to post resumes, and tips for landing that dream position. http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2004-11/www.pdf Next Month's Theme: Professional Development If your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to: http://www.nsta.org/newsletters.
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