#5thchat Archive
#5thchat is for people interested in chatting about topics in education, especially as they relate to Grade 5. The goal is to connect people who enjoy learning & sharing, plus supporting & creating partnerships worldwide!
Tuesday July 26, 2016
Please introduce yourself, where you're from and what your favorite science topic is.
Please answer with A1, A2, etc. along with the hashtag!
Hi Everyone!! Welcome to
My name is Dawn and I am moderating tonight's chat. Our topic is Hands-On Science.
We started a science lab outfitted w materials corresponding to all activities from textbook/curriculum. 93% pass rate on SOL test
My name is Dawn and I teach K-5th grade science in Indy. I love teaching chemistry and space.
Joe Eyres from sunny SF Bay Area here. Speaking of global warming- it's 110F out here!
Hi everyone! I'm Jess from NH, my favorite science topic was body systems but now we are using NGSS, not sure what it will be now!
Sorry! Principal in SE VA.
Welcome Joseph!! Hope you're in a cool place.
Hi there! I'm Heather from Olympia WA and work as an instructional specialist-coach. Excited to join for just a bit
Hi Jess! I'm starting NGSS too.
Welcome to the chat!
Hi Will!! Great to have you! What is the SOL?
Paul Solarz, 5th grade tchr from Arlington Hts, IL. SO excited to teach Astronomy for the first time this year! Big Space Geek!
I like earth sci esp solar. ovens electric
Hi Heather! Welcome to the chat!
Hi Paul! I went to Purdue to be astronaut. It didn't work out.
Phil, 5th grade, from NJ. My favorites are Space, cells, and Elements!
Hi ! I'm Elena from SF area in CA, 5th gr teacher & my current favorite sci topic is design thinking &/or MakerSpaces!
I forgot to mention that I love Outdoor Ed tied to phenomena based learning.
we love esp bridges and solar
Hi I'm Thomas! Third grade teacher from North Carolina!! Excited to be part of the chat!!!!>>is this the right hashtag
Sounds like you're curriculum and activities are working well for you!! That's great!
Yup you got it! Welcome to the chat!
Hi Thomas! WElcome to the chat!
Maybe we can Skype with you this year! Any chance you'd be willing to teach us something!?!?
Hi Phillip!! Glad to have you here!!
Greetings 🌎 earthlings! Lexi from north Texas and my favorite unit is ENERGY! 🚴🏽🔌💡🔥📻
Hi Elena! Welcome to the chat! Can you talk more about maker spaces? I want to do that more this year. How do you get started?
Q1: What is your favorite thing about teaching science? If you have pics, please share them.
A1- My fav thing is when Ss discover science conepts on their own-so powerful! I also like it when my past Ss say I remember that
Howard here. Silicon Valley are of CA. 5th and 6th full inclusion math and science.
Welcome Lexi!! Love Energy!
Hi, Shauna from AZ. Favorite science topics=space & engineering
A1: Honestly, the fact that students love it. It's like it instantly means hands on cool stuff
Hi Howard!! How do you integrate Math and science? Can you talk more about that?
A1: my fav is just the team effort of finding the answer! The learning from failures and perseverance! https://t.co/jl9qlTbEJP
Q1: What is your favorite thing about teaching science? If you have pics, please share them.
A1 Almost every Ss loves it! Engagement is built in
How do you foster team work in your science class?
What are they doing with the bread? I love exploration!! It is so important that they discover and explore!
That's awesome!! How long did it take to cook? I tried breadsticks one time and it took all morning.
A1: love projects, inquiry, solving problems like
They are going through the Sci. Method and finding which of 4 materials keep bread the freshest for 5 days.
Ok, ok, I ❤️ teaching space, Mars & space travel, just as much as design skills! I'm a Star Trek fan, too! https://t.co/70EGgF6rAc
Paul Solarz, 5th grade tchr from Arlington Hts, IL. SO excited to teach Astronomy for the first time this year! Big Space Geek!
What kind of projects do they do with global warming?
lots of positive prompting & positive practice. A little PBL and lots of movement/talking https://t.co/xkOehQ4xm3
How do you foster team work in your science class?
Live long and prosper, Elena!!
Q2: None of us have enough time, how do you work science into the day?
A2- My school schedules Ss to come to elem science on a schedule, like Ss go to music or PE class, science is a separate class.
That's a great idea! I might use that for my first activity this year!!
explored sod roof houses and we explored water waste at the drinking fountain
the excitement is amazing!! A-ha moments all the time!
Go for it! The Ss were SHOCKED by the results. You can't underestimate cling wrap!
I want to work more on differentiation in science this year.
Any ideas?
Cross curricular- lit, math https://t.co/LjMFuvYsre
Q2: None of us have enough time, how do you work science into the day?
A2: We have a 40-45 minute block daily for Sci/SS. I usually do M-Tues for SS, Wed-Thurs Science, and F- Either or.
What is this project?? Looks cool!
A2: Try to infuse Sci into Literacy and math.
A2: I am very fortunate! we are departmentalized & I'm only 5th grade science! Same lesson just 4X a day! https://t.co/3LuEyQSq89
Q2: None of us have enough time, how do you work science into the day?
A2: To teach all NGSS I "pulled out" all of the engineering & design skills and built them into a hour each Friday PM
Nice to have a time
! Do you find it hard to develop relationships with your Ss when you don't have them all day?
That is awesome! I am trying to build a makerspace this year. What are some must haves?
I like this idea! And we have a school https://t.co/z3iTjIiBTV
A2: To teach all NGSS I "pulled out" all of the engineering & design skills and built them into a hour each Friday PM
Where do you keep all the stuff when it isn't Friday or do they dismantle their creations?
I work science texts into ELA, but also block out time a least once/week for hands on. Need to prioritize or won't happen
HOpe it's ok that I share this with the group!!
https://t.co/bHtkQhaxUK
I'm no expert. My exp in tells me projects. Everything I've done hands on works. Rockets, Scratch, AI2, Robots, Solar Ovens...
Q3: What does hands on science mean to you?
no I get them all for 100 minutes per class!! So I build a great relationship w them- they never want to leave
My fav sci project we did was to research the surface of Mars to create our own version here on Earth. https://t.co/I2LFSirM34
Nice!! I get mine for 30-55min depending on the class and day.
A3-Hands on science is when Ss use equipment and discover science concepts on their own,use notebooks and record their predictions
A3: Using materials, learning through doing, exploring concepts outside the textbook.
Do most everything as investigation, less text reading. https://t.co/I3IgdtRqGl
Q3: What does hands on science mean to you?
A3: hands on science to me means inquiry where kids ask the questions, problem solve and explore using different materials
A3: but expose them to tons of books- fiction and non- as well
Yes!! Learning through doing is so important and powerful!
That *is* a challenge! I added a series of cubbies to my classroom for supplies & placed creations on display above.
Investigation is awesome!!
Problem Solving!! Love it!!
A3:letting them explore & worry about it mess later. If I'm not tired at end of lab day somethings wrong. https://t.co/YuAjBkz9vY
Q3: What does hands on science mean to you?
Do you use reading for Homework ??
Yes!! Hands on science is messy and noisy and it scares a lot of Teachers.
read sci text weekly and read others for fun ( or points)!
Do you use gamification in your science lessons?
A3: 1+ part of lesson bcms activity. Something to grasp. Photosynth = plants. Hide 1/2. Predict flavor? https://t.co/E3qH2tJe4x
I'd say the first must have is an open mind & a willingness to let the children create!
Q4: How are hands-on science teaching and inquiry the same? How are they different?
What plants are you using??
Great idea!!
Haha :) That I have. Did a Ton of hands on last year. but struggle with what materials to include in the makespace!
A1: Seeing students getting authentically excited about learning!! And also exploding up things! https://t.co/WgQNg1Oiu7
A4: Inquiry has levels of how much Ss have choice in the investigation. Hands on includes science equipment and discovery.
Love it!! Let children create!!!
not so much but lots of web research and reflections on
Edible!! Cool!! Are they kosher?
Hi there, Jordan 5th grade T from Princeton, NJ...what's going on tonight?
Hi Jordan! Jump in!! We're talking about hands on science!
You can follow a recipe hands on, or you can investigate and solve a problem https://t.co/H0WV3jMEHs
Q4: How are hands-on science teaching and inquiry the same? How are they different?
A2: INTEGRATE!! Thru the use of non fiction text, ....I set aside 3 days with allotted time 4 science!! No exceptions!
In case you missed Q4
https://t.co/p3jLDt592j
Q4: How are hands-on science teaching and inquiry the same? How are they different?
Q5:Hands-on they know they are leaving w an answer. Inquiry in my room is answering Ss Qs with a Q. https://t.co/rL0PcN4XGh
Q4: How are hands-on science teaching and inquiry the same? How are they different?
Start with what you see your kids build with "for fun" (I.e.) paper, cardboard, foam, clay.... https://t.co/36usLbxIJg
Open ended!! No correct answer. Something our Ss struggle with!
we also research and compare local lake levels
What's in the cup to create the air?
NGSS isn't going into effect until 2017-18 for K-5, but I'm going to start working it in this year...
Q5: What limitations do you experience that stop you from using hands-on/inquiry science? Topics/concepts do you need help with?
Me too!! I don't want my Ss to be behind!!
A5: I don't leave hands on science for Subs, Ss behavior issues limit hands on science.
A5- I find it hard to teach hands on science when teaching camouflage, animal adaptation, biomes, life science typically
A4: Hands-on can be as simple as assembling a diagram, but inquiry has kids ask, "Why?" or "How?" https://t.co/QbWrk3J2gH
A5 Lack of time is the big one...since LA and math are tested subjects, they get the lion's share, it seems
Wow!! Those look amazing!! Love it!!
I started using them last year, and I found them much better; more precise from prev. standards.
yes, I don't do any focus questions that can be answered with a yes/no answer.
Yes this is a problem for all of us. Not enough time!!
Excited 2 get started with them 2. Starting to look into existing activities that satisfy NGSS requirements. Any tips?
Same here! Cells are fun to teach hands-on, but the animal part gets me!
A5: TX has a State Standarized Test I feel limits the depth of certain areas. I have to cover everything https://t.co/7yQ8GxGXSz
Q5: What limitations do you experience that stop you from using hands-on/inquiry science? Topics/concepts do you need help with?
After I added MakerSpace to my class & taught true design thinking, often the kids suggested ways to make our sci more hands-on
Me too. Indiana has science testing over 3rd & 4th gr standards in 4th gr and 5th and 6th in 6th grade
Do you have a Science Text? Start with Physical Science; atoms, solutions, etc.
yes! Gonna draw and add lights to our cardboard houses!
Any suggestions for how to make animals and life science hands on??
No science text in my district. We had 4 maj. units of study: weather, plant growth, erosion/weathering, and ecosystems
I don't have text books. We use science kits, mostly FOSS, STC
Gotta run ! Daughter tugging on my arm! Thank you!!!
A5: Grades r less impt. You need the latitude to do so. Parents wonder about homework? When they see pics & code skills they get it
Models of food/energy webs?
Thanks for coming and your awesome ideas!!
Q6: What role does differentiation play in your science class? How do you teach science to Ss with different needs/abilities?
A5: I did MakerSpace on a shoestring, but there are limitations folks face: cost, space, colleague & admin support
Our state fish and game has great resource trunks you can check out with model animal bones, teeth, etc
How do you get Admin Support for new things??
A6: this is an area where I struggle. I want to differentiate my labs by giving different groups more direction than others.
We used to have something like that in iNdy and I think they stopped doing it. Was a great resource!
A6 many times difficulties not from understanding content, but reading and interpreting it - LAL skills
great idea...get in contact with state parks?
How do you help ELL or Ss with special needs be successful?
The new major units for 5th grade are: Prop of matter, forces/motion/ ecosystems, water cycle/weather, Space, growth
Give them chances to explore, lead. I use interactive notebooks: Ss can draw, label, etc. They make their own textbooks!
How do you transition when you're changing units with grade levels? How do you make sure there aren't holes?
A6: honestly no different. I hit every teaching style for each standard. All my kids use a suppl. aid. https://t.co/iZWCJwgmCz
Q6: What role does differentiation play in your science class? How do you teach science to Ss with different needs/abilities?
Those are probably great. New NGSS are heavy on hands-on, inquiry, and doing
NGSS focuses more on skills that will cut across disciplines...modeling; designing experiments. Grows over time.
Yes that is why any curriculum has to be adjusted to meet them. Haven't found one yet that fits NGSS.
A6: Sch culture of inclusion makes this easier for me. Get parents on board w/ the process & not focus on sameness.
Last yr I went from ground up. Pre-assess, differentiation, etc. Ex: Space was heavy in 4th; so mine was quick.
Getting admins on board can be tricky, but the NGSS expects kids learn design & perseverance. Most admins listen if u start there.
Q7: What role does play in your science teaching strategies?
Gotta go to a swim lesson. This was great! Thank you
Thanks for your ideas and Joining in!! Enjoy swimming!!
A7- I integrate technology, math into lessons whenever I can. I like having Ss design their own experiments and projects.
FOSS & RAFT kits got me started on true hands-on science.
A3: it means working 2gthr 2 probsolve to learn & apply concepts/put vocabulary to use! Make it make sense https://t.co/7EBdCj7T5v
LOVE FOSS! How do you use RAFT with it??
That would be awesome! Would love too!
LOve the comment about vocab!! I teach vocab in the content, what do scientists call ...." Rarely beforehand
This goes great with our explorers unit
Q6: I normally manage the literacy content based on reading level. The "active" portion is managed based on location
Please join next week for for - Topic: "Global Collaboration Projects" ALL GRADES WELCOME! :) Spread the word!
Q8: What technology or apps do you use in your science class?
A6: I do differentiate with location based on disabilities (physical) and or language processing-following steps; partnering helps
A8: I use We have 1:1 ipads grade 4-8, use notability for notebooks, kid discover apps
A2 Connect it with ELA or Math stds. https://t.co/4E6bKidJSd
Q2: None of us have enough time, how do you work science into the day?
A8 Ss use cameras on tablets to document and record experiments; to reflect on learning.
How often do you switch groups??
This looks like a great chat!!! https://t.co/svel7AldyU
Please join next week for for - Topic: "Global Collaboration Projects" ALL GRADES WELCOME! :) Spread the word!
A7: In my class instead of using FOSS with , first I taught hands-on skills separately from design... https://t.co/jb3kXArf2X
I want to use Seesaw this year. How did you start it with your Ss?
Love that! I bet your lessons are amazing.
Downloaded the app, saw what it could do, and just jumped right in! I started with my Ss mid-year.
It is great! Starting from the beginning this year!
me too! looking forward to it!
