M i d d l e L e v e l E d i t i o n
J u l y 2 0 0 5
CELLSThe National Science Education Standards for grades 5–8 emphasize the importance of teaching about cells and cell processes. Because cells are the basic building blocks of life, the opportunities for teaching about them are plentiful. This issue touches on methods for teaching controversial topics connected with cells, such as stem cell research; learning strategies, such as how to build a walk-in cell for your students to study; and ideas for teaching about cells that other teachers have found effective. Cells in the News Article summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (visit http://www.nsta.org/mainnews for national news for science educators). News articles selected for this issue discuss various topics related to cells, from new studies to moral and ethical concerns about stem cell advances. To read the news articles, visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2005-07/news_stories_middle.htm. Cells on the Net In this month's middle level journal, Science Scope, NSTA members can read "Embracing Controversy in the Classroom." The link to that article is http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=50618. SciLinks® is a web-based service from NSTA that provides online content chosen to augment printed articles and books. It does so through keywords; the keywords for this issue are Cells: http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=9263565510771055 NSTA Journal Articles on Cells These articles from the NSTA Journal Archive present some classic ways to teach cells to your students. Click here to learn more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2005-07/middle.htm Books, Books, Books NSTA Press and NSTA Recommends books offer the latest information for science educators. Selections for this issue are the newest titles from NSTA Press and are grade-appropriate books chosen for their relevance to this month's theme: Cells. Click here for this issue's recommended titles: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2005-07/books_middle.htm To read about the newest titles available from NSTA Press, visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2005-07/newbooksmiddle.htm To receive the latest NSTA catalog for your specific grade level, visit http://ecommerce.nsta.org/catalog_signup Professional Development In his article, "Promoting Positivity, Choice, and Reflection," Marvin Marshall defines three practices that he thinks can make school a place where teachers and students want to be. To read what the developer of the Raise Responsibility System has to say about practicing positive self-talk and sharing the technique with staff and students, visit http://www.marvinmarshall.com/promoting_positivity.htm. Global Science Teaching In the May 26 issue of Education Week, Karen Diegmueller writes that "education journalists from some 40 countries gathered…in the suburbs of Paris…to share information and insights about the education systems in one another’s countries." Read more at http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2005/05/26/39fiep_web.h24.html. NSTA Opportunities Issues in Depth Science Scope's new "Issues in Depth" column debuted in the July 2005 issue. The topic of the first column is "Setting FIRES to Stem Cell Research." To preview this provocative new column, visit http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=50676. NSTA's Online Offerings Use some of your summer time to review the many science teaching resources that are available on the NSTA website. http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2005-07/wwwscope.pdf Call for Papers Science Scope (grades 6–9) has issued a Call for Papers on selected topics. Click here to read more: If your colleagues would like to subscribe to Science Class, please direct them to http://www.nsta.org/newsletters. THE FINE PRINTThis
e-newsletter is brought to you by the National Science Teachers
Association
|