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Eric.ed.gov – Talking Science in an ESL Pre-K: Theory-Building with Realia

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: What is realia and theory-building? Tim Kinard and Jesse Gainer explain that when students explore using “realia,” they are not just being exposed to abstract concepts or text on a page, they are using “real-life” objects to build understandings of the natural world while they builds vocabulary about it. Handling and discussing real-world objects (acorns, pine cones, flowers, bones, antlers, dirt), in both the first language of the students, as well as a second language learned in school, builds vocabulary quickly as students engage in meaningful communication with scaffolds bridging first and second languages. The use of “realia” and other visuals are one way to provide ESL students opportunities for meaningful communication in English. Creating strategic partnerships that pair ELLs with native English speakers is another effective… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – General Math 9-12, Environmental Education Guide.

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This general mathematics guide, for use in grades 9-12, is one of a series of guides, K-12, that were developed by teachers to help introduce environmental education into the total curriculum. Since the nature of mathematics is abstract, students do not learn mathematics from ecology, nor ecology from mathematics. But, by observation and manipulation of environmental data, the student may inductively discover a principle in mathematics which can be reached deductively. The purpose of this booklet is to make an attempt to bridge mathematics and ecology. The guide is a supplementary handbook of ecologically-oriented mathematics exercises, designed to be self-contained and complete with answers. The exercises are built around 12 major environmental concepts that form a framework for each grade or subject area, as well as for… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Increasing Science Literacy in Early Childhood: The Connection between Home and School

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Turning everyday activities such as baking into scientific activities is more than just fun: it is important for our children’s futures. Science investigations provide an opportunity for children to learn about scientific concepts and listen to their peers, family, and community members, and to respond to their questions or ideas. It also provides them with an opportunity to ask and answer their own questions, build persistence, and improve their problem-solving and self-regulation skills, which are essential for academic success. As the world becomes increasingly science- and technology-oriented, all children need to become proficient in science, whatever their chosen field. STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education has become a national priority, and even early childhood teachers are expected to increase the quantity and quality of the science… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – REAL School Gardens Program: Learning Gardens and Teacher Training to Improve Student Engagement and Academic Performance in Low-Performing Elementary Schools

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Children who grow up in poverty are less likely to graduate high school, enter college and find economic stability. REAL School Gardens believes the right educational opportunities — ones that engage and motive children to learn — can break this cycle. The REAL School Gardens Program builds learning gardens and offers teacher training to improve academic engagement and performance in low-income elementary schools. Since its launch, REAL School Gardens has partnered with 92 low-income schools, and preliminary findings show that 84% of students experiencing hands-on academic lessons in a REAL School Garden report high levels of engagement, specifically in math in science. Another study demonstrated that REAL School Gardens’ partner schools exhibit, on average, standardized science test score pass rates 5.5% higher than non-partner schools. This article… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Montessori Special Education and Nature’s Playground

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Nimal Vaz takes us to the essentials of Montessori as an aid to life for all children, particularly children with special needs. She challenges teachers to truly provide experiences in nature: observing anthills, identifying bird nests, or taking an olfactory walk with a legally blind classmate. Finally, she demonstrates how a child’s interest in practical life, math, language, sensorial, biology, botany, geology, and geography originates with direct experience in nature. [Reprinted from “The NAMTA Journal,” 34, 2 (2009, Spring): 141-157. This talk was delivered at the NAMTA conference titled “Montessori Special Education II: A Contemporary Assessment,” Atlanta, Georgia, January 22-25, 2009.] Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Mathematics and Outdoor Photography Experience — Exploration of an Approach to Mathematical Education, Based on the Theory of Dewey’s Aesthetics

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: Based on Dewey’s theory of art, aesthetics, and experiences and photographer Barnbaums’ writing about expanded perception through photography, we conducted a one-day experimental mathematics education unit. Using photography in outdoor conditions had a positive impact on teacher students’ perception of the use of photography for teaching mathematics. To study the changes in students’ visual attention deeper, we used gaze-tracking to analyse one student’s visual attention when walking outdoors after the activity. The gaze data indicated that more visual attention was given to objects he had photographed or discussed during the group activity in comparison to other objects. Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Outdoor Chemistry in Teacher Education — A Case Study about Finding Carbohydrates in Nature

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: In this case study, we describe an inquiry-based approach to enhancing tuition in chemistry by taking student teachers out of the lab and into nature. We used video observation and interviews to gain insight into student teachers’ expectations and experiences of such fieldwork. Through thematic analysis, we found that the participants perceived the approach as individually relevant and worthy of integrating as a teaching method in future practice. Further, we discussed challenges presented by outdoor chemistry and ways to overcome these. Overall, we show that fieldwork in chemistry contributed to a better understanding of chemistry as an integral part of nature. Link til kilde

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Eric.ed.gov – Primary School Teachers’ Perceptions of Out of School Learning within Science Education

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: This article examines what key aspects primary teachers highlight when they describe their use of out of school learning in the science subjects. The empirical study is made in the form of a semi-structured interview with primary teachers (N=15). Compared to earlier research in the area the results highlight the importance of clear learning aims for the outdoor sequence. The results show that teachers view outdoor education as an opportunity to study nature “for real”, which, according to teachers, increases the interest of the children. As aspects that obstruct outdoor teaching, teachers mainly describe different organizational-economic aspects. In their description of the learning content in the outdoor education, teachers mainly talk about the students’ interest (affective motivations) and the concrete activity or act (process-oriented motivations). The scientific… Continue Reading

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Eric.ed.gov – Learning Mathematical Modelling with Augmented Reality Mobile Math Trails Program: How Can It Work?

eric.ed.gov har udgivet: The aim of this study is to investigate how an augmented reality mobile math trails program can provide opportunities for students to engage in meaningful mathematical modelling activities. An explorative research design was conducted involving two mathematics teachers and 30 eight grades in Semarang, Indonesia. An Augmented Reality Mobile Math Trails App was created, and several math trail tasks were designed, then students run the activity. Data were gathered by means of participatory observation, interviews, questionnaires, tests, and worksheets. Data analysis began with the organisation, annotation, description of the data and statistic tests. The findings indicate that an educational program was successfully designed, which offered students a meaningful mathematical experience. A mobile app was also developed to support this program. The mobile app with augmented reality features… Continue Reading