Investigate! Activity-based inquiry is the most effective way to learn science. My students experience science by conducting experiments in real life locations. They record and reflect on the data collected and need clipboards for the writing involved as they move away from tables and desks.
My students live in a low income, rural area in Alabama and attend a small Title 1 school.
Due to the current economy and the oil spill, their families are experiencing severe financial difficulties and many can't buy school supplies. Our school system is also experiencing financial problems resulting in no funds for teachers to purchase supplies. The strain caused by this spills over into the classroom. Many of my students are struggling readers and need writing opportunities in all subjects to enhance reading skills. They also struggle with understanding math concepts. Teaching science through experiments and inquiry activities rather than reading lessons from a science book is more enjoyable and effective for struggling students in reading and math. They learn how to cooperate with their peers teaching social skills they may not learn at home. Experimenting, discovering, working cooperatively are skills needed by these students to help them be successful in the future.
My Project
My students need a safe, worry free environment as well as learning activities that engage their minds and provide an outlet for the emotions caused by their life situations. The clipboards will be used by students as they record and analyze the data gathered through their experiments. They will be able to move freely without losing their data recording sheets and will be able to write more neatly as they record the results of their investigations. The clipboards will help them to be more organized in the use of their materials. These are all vital to student success as their science grade is based on their data recording sheets. With their clipboards, even the most unorganized student will have a tool needed to help them be more responsible for their materials. My students will feel so important as they function like real scientists!
Using a clipboard will make my students feel like real scientists.
Teaching science through experiments and inquiry activities rather than reading from a science book is more enjoyable and effective for struggling students in reading and math. My students are motivated and challenged to use higher order thinking skills that will benefit them in all areas of the curriculum and in future learning situations as well. They also learn how to cooperate with others preparing them for the future.
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