The concepts that underlie the fourth essential principle of climate literacy ("Climate …
The concepts that underlie the fourth essential principle of climate literacy ("Climate varies over space and time through both natural and man-made processes.") are too complex for students in early and upper-level elementary school, but the foundational knowledge can be taught within existing curriculums and standards. This foundational knowledge will lead to understanding in later years. The author shows the correlation to the national science education standards, identifies misconceptions among elementary school students, suggests formative assessment probes, and identifies lessons and activities to make curriculum connections. The free, online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle is based on the seven essential principles of the climate sciences.
This article provide a list of learning objectives and excerpts from the …
This article provide a list of learning objectives and excerpts from the K-8 content standards of the National Science Education Standards that are associated with Principle 1 of the Seven Essential Principles of the Climate Sciences. Also provided are explanations of some common misconceptions on light, heat, and the seasons, plustools for formative assessment and ideas for teaching these scientific concepts. The article appears in the free, online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle, which focuses on one of the Seven Essential Principles in each issue.
This article aligns the concepts of Essential Principle 2 of the Climate …
This article aligns the concepts of Essential Principle 2 of the Climate Sciences to the K-5 content standards of the National Science Education Standards. The author also identifies common misconceptions about heat and the greenhouse gases effect and offers resources for assessing students' understanding of interactions among components of the Earth system. This article continues the examination of the climate sciences and climate literacy on which the online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle is structured.
This formative assessment item uncovers students' ideas about the conservation of water …
This formative assessment item uncovers students' ideas about the conservation of water and the water cycle. The probe is aligned with the National Science Education Standards and can be used before, during, or after instruction. Resources are provided as well as instructional strategies.
This formative assessment item uncovers misconception and student ideas about classifications of …
This formative assessment item uncovers misconception and student ideas about classifications of mammals. It will uncover how students think when classifying animals. The probe is aligned to the National Science Education Standards. Information is provided for instructional suggestions and background information.
This formative assessment item uncovers student ideas and misconceptions about melting icebergs. …
This formative assessment item uncovers student ideas and misconceptions about melting icebergs. It determines if students believe that water levels will rise due to melting icebergs. Resources provided will assist teachers. It gives instructional support as well as information for teachers. This probe is aligned to National Science Education Standards (NSES).
Four unit plans provide opportunities for in-depth explorations of important foundational climate …
Four unit plans provide opportunities for in-depth explorations of important foundational climate concepts -- weather, water as a solid, liquid and gas, and the water cycle -- that are appropriate for K-2 and 3-5 learners. These unit plans incorporate many of the lessons highlighted in other articles in this issue of the online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle. The magazine is structured around the essential principles of the climate sciences.
In this article, teachers find two unit plans (grades K-2 and 3-5) …
In this article, teachers find two unit plans (grades K-2 and 3-5) that use resources featured in the science and literacy articles in the magazine. The unit plans are modeled after the five key steps in the learning cycle: engage, explore, explain, expand, and assess, or evaluate. The plans are aligned with the science content standards of the National Science Education Standards and the English language arts standards of the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Reading Association. The plans appear in the free, online magazine Beyond Weather and the Water Cycle.
This formative assessment item is used to uncover student ideas about weather …
This formative assessment item is used to uncover student ideas about weather at the North and South Poles. It will help to determine whether students understand that weather is different at the North and South Poles and the reasons behind the differences. Teacher resources are provided that give general information as well as instructional suggestions. This probe is aligned with National Science Education Standards.
This formative assessment item is used to uncover student ideas about solar …
This formative assessment item is used to uncover student ideas about solar radiation. Students will decide what they believe the sun provides to Earth. It is aligned to National Science Education Standards. Resources are provided to give additional information, as well as instructional suggestions.
This formative assessment item uncovers student understanding of weather and seasons. It …
This formative assessment item uncovers student understanding of weather and seasons. It uncovers student ideas about differences in seasons depending on whether a person lives in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere, or along the Equator. The probe follows along with National Science Education Standards. Resources are available to assist teachers in background information as well as lesson ideas dealing with the seasons of the world.
This formative assessment item uncovers students' prior knowledge about the distribution of …
This formative assessment item uncovers students' prior knowledge about the distribution of penguin species throughout the world. Teacher resources are given, including information about the content, instructional strategies as well as alignment to The National Science Education Standards. Additional resources include information, pictures, and lesson ideas involving penguin facts.
This formative assessment item discusses common misconceptions about volcano location around the …
This formative assessment item discusses common misconceptions about volcano location around the world. Resources include background and content information as well as alignment to the National Science Education Standards. The probe could easily be modified to be used with a study of earthquakes instead of volcanoes. Teachers can access other resources including facts about volcanoes and lesson ideas.
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