M i d d l e L e v e l E d i t i o n
S e p t e m b e r 2 0 0 6
IMPROVING PRACTICEAs the school year really gets underway, you may be looking for new ways to better your own teaching practices. This issue of Science Class provides you with ideas for how to improve your students' powers of observation, reading comprehension, ability to conduct inquiry, and other skills that are critical to success in the science classroom. Improving Practice in the NewsArticle summaries provided by the NSTA WebNews Digest (visit http://www.nsta.org/mainnews for national news for science educators). Two articles from the Philadelphia Inquirer discuss efforts that can benefit teachers. Visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-09/news_stories_middle.htm to learn more. Improving Practice on the Web In this month's middle-level journal, Science Scope, NSTA members can read "A Change in Seasons: Increasing Student Observation Skills" at http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=ss&n=52471. For the complete Science Scope September 2006 Illustrated Table of Contents, visit http://www.nsta.org/gateway&j=sc&n=52439. 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 keyword for this issue is Developing Classroom Activities: http://www.scilinks.org/retrieve_outside.asp?sl=92635655109910661011 NSTA Journal Articles on Improving Practice Read these articles from the NSTA journal archives for ideas on new ideas on improving classroom practices. Click here to learn more: http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-09/middle.htm Books, Books, Books To read about Improving Practice in NSTA Press® and NSTA Recommends® books, visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-09/books_middle.htm. To read about the newest titles available from NSTA Press, visit http://science.nsta.org/enewsletter/2006-09/newbooksmiddle.htm. To receive the latest NSTA catalog for your specific grade level, visit http://ecommerce.nsta.org/catalog_signup. Professional Development NSTA Web Seminars A new series of NSTA Web Seminars is scheduled between September 2006 and March 2007. Topics include: nutrition and food safety, the Moon, the ocean's role in weather and climate, living and working in space, force and motion, energy, and the International Polar Year! To learn more or to register, visit http://institute.nsta.org/web_seminars.asp. NSTA Symposia The following NSTA Symposia are scheduled to take place at the Midwestern Area Conference in Omaha, Nebraska, October 19-21, 2006: Force
and Motion: Stop Faking It!, presented by NSTA Press author
Bill Robertson Global Science Teaching Eager to add a global element to your classes while still fulfilling your state's required standards? Global Connections and Exchange (GCE), a program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, can provide you with an easy way to do just that! GCE is made possible through support and funding from the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. It is a part of iEARN-USA's BRIDGE project which is committed to connecting students and teachers in the United States to those in countries with significant Muslim populations. Through a variety of short-term or long-term technology-based projects, your classes can connect directly with classrooms in Central Asia, thereby exposing your students to new cultures and perspectives. For more information, visit http://us.iearn.org/collaborate/programs/bridge/february_2006_news.php. NSTA Opportunities Call for Papers Science Scope (grades 6–9) has issued a Call for Papers on selected topics. Click here to read more: Next Month's Theme: Characteristic Properties 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
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