Student | Science Impact

Teaching Science to Kids

Teaching is rewarding, but all too often, your students will not be interested in what is being taught. When it comes to science, there are two methods you can employ: you can either tell the students the principles and information or you can show them.

Telling the students is boring — for you and your students. The best way to teach a principle is by allowing the students to see it in action. In fact, when possibly you should allow the students to observe what happens and then let them come to their own conclusions. At that point, you can then teach them the principle they’ve figured out on their own.

One way to do this is to have multiple stations with a different activity at each station that supports the principle that you’re teaching. This gives students multiple ways to learn and splits up the class into small groups so there aren’t too many people trying to do the experiment at the same time. It’s great for all types of learners and allows students a chance to be active instead of being forced to sit still at their seats.

There are tons of activities you can try with your students. Some are simple and don’t require a lot of preparation. Others are complex and require students to use their creativity in order to solve the problem. The best activities are ones with multiple solutions because as long as the solution works, it’s right. This really makes students think hard on how to solve the solution.

Filed Under: Education, Science Tagged With: Education, Learning, Student

Mainstreaming Versus Inclusion in Schools

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Learning by definition is a process through which we apply cognitive principles that we’ve acquired over time. Everyone has different styles and preferences within the classroom setting. Many of us embrace change and the challenges that we encounter with open arms when it comes to quenching our boundless thirst for knowledge. This is no exception for those with learning challenges and advancements have been made to help students adjust despite some setbacks.

Several inclusion programs offered within schools helps students to become more comfortable with learning in a regular classroom. Mainstreaming means that students have to prove they can stay on target with their daily assignments to remain in the class.

Inclusion-based education entitles children to support services such as more time to complete quizzes and examinations. However, unlike mainstreaming they don’t have to work as hard. As long as pupils benefit from learning, the objective for inclusion has been met. Students can participate in partial or full inclusion programs depending on their educational needs and program availability.

The concept of full inclusion involves students remaining in a traditional environment with their peers. The nature of the challenges people face with a learning difference or physical challenge is irrelevant.

Many teachers like the thought of students participating in inclusion first before being mainstreamed. Generally speaking, inclusion’s premise is all students can be placed in a normal classroom when they have appropriate resources provided to them. When there aren’t sufficient tools for students with learning differences to enhance their abilities with inclusion programs, they’ll most likely be mainstreamed.

Filed Under: Education, General Tagged With: Education, Inclusion, Student

Getting Your High School Transcripts

Before you attend college some colleges will like verify that you attended high school at a specific place. This will require you to request your high school transcripts from your former high school so that you can verify that you graduated and have the background education that you need for college. Here is how you can go about getting your high school transcripts.

Website. Many high schools have an alumni or administration offices that you can email and ask for transcripts. Some of these websites will have a form that you can fill out that requests this information. This will send your information to the necessary people and they can direct you on how to get your transcripts so that you verify your schooling.

Call the Administration Office. You can physically call the administration office of your school department. They will be able to fax over any information that you need and will need to send back to them. This is similar to the website but sometimes can get you quicker results than the other website as you are physically talking to someone and having them get you the information.

After you have sent in a request for the information you will need to gather the information that they are requesting. This can be graduation dates, former addresses and other items. You will also have to pay a fee to have the transcripts sent to you or the college. Many colleges will only accept high school transcripts if they come directly from the high school.

It might not seem like an involved process but if you wish to attend college you will have to verify that you got the education that you need to take part in the college classes.

Filed Under: Education, Science, Technology Tagged With: Advanced Placement, College, Community college, Education, High school, Student

Items Needed for Returning to the Classroom

A student will need many items when they go to school. The days of just needing a pen and paper are long gone. If you are heading back to the classroom after being out of it for a number of years here is a look at what you will need to pack with you when you head back to the classroom.

Pens and Pencils. You will still need the required writing utensils. This could be pens or pencils or whatever you feel comfortable with as this will be what you use to take notes and other things.

Paper or Notebooks. You will still need to have something to write on. This could be a notebook or a pad of paper or notecards. As long as you have something to write on you will be okay in the classroom.

Laptop. Many students have now started to bring their laptop to class. These laptop devices can be used to take notes and record lectures that the student wants to play back. It is also a great way to have instant access to the Internet and research materials right in front of you.

Tape Recorder. Students will still use the old tape recorder to record what the teacher is saying so that they can play it back. There are often used in foreign language classes where learning the proper pronunciation is important.

Folders. You will get a lot of papers and flyers while you are in classes. A folder will allow you to separate each class out and know where all the items are kept.

Highlighters. Highlighters are used for when you have a need to highlight important information. This could be in your text book or in your notes. It is used as a way to enforce what the teacher is teaching and allow you to really understand what is important out of all the notes that you took from the class.

Filed Under: Advancements, Education Tagged With: Classroom, Education, Shopping, Student

How to Afford College

College and university classes can be expensive. Every year it seems like the price of books, tuition and student fees rise at an unprecedented rate. If you are planning on returning back to the classroom you are probably wondering how you will pay for it. Here are some common ways that students pay for their college tuition.

Scholarships. Many colleges and universities offer scholarships for a number of things. It could be for being a certain race, being a male or female, enjoying a certain hobby or even having a talent. There are millions of scholarships out there it’s just a matter of finding them. The best part of scholarships is that you do not have to pay them back.

Grants. The government offers some educational grants to certain students who have a financial need. These grants are given to help pay for books, tuition and student fees. Although grants come from the government they do not need to be paid back.

Student Loans. Student loans are becoming increasingly popular as tuition rates rise. There are dozens of different student loans out there for students. There are government and private. Interest and interest free ones. The problem with student loans is that they have to be paid back after you graduate and that could take years depending upon how much you borrowed.

Credit Cards. In a desperate lurch many students are starting to pay their tuition through credit cards. They will put all their fees on the card and pay it off as time goes by. Just like student loans the credit cards have to be paid back and even in a quicker period than student loans. The interest rates are also higher than student loans and can wreck a student’s credit score if they do not pay it back.

Personal Loans. Many people will turn to personal loans from mom, dad or grandparents. The best part is sometimes you do not have to pay these back!

Filed Under: Education, Science Tagged With: Education, Grant (money), Loan, Scholarship, Student, Student loan

The Importance of Parent Involvement

A student’s success in the classroom is dependent on many factors, one of the most important being parental involvement in his or her education. Once the student leaves the classroom, parents are the partnering element that help the child to integrate learning into the real world and at home. Without apparent being actively involved, a child may lose interest in education and be denied a vital avenue of support for learning. Teachers should work diligently to maintain an open line of communication and a positive relationship with parents. One situation where communication is critical is with special education students. Keeping parents abreast of their child’s progress in of any concerns can help to quickly identify problems and deal with them before they have an adverse effect.

When parents in the classroom teacher communicate on a regular basis, a relationship of trust and support is built on which the child’s learning can be framed. This way, concerns about a student’s learning and behavioral issues can more easily be clearly explained and dealt with in an appropriate manner. When communication breaks down, misunderstandings can occur about a teacher’s methods for dealing with behavior or in classroom instruction. Teachers can keep these lines open through a weekly phone call, parent teacher conferences and notes home.

One of the easiest ways to break a relationship with a parent is to constantly feed them negative statements about a student, especially if the child has a history of behavioral issues. The teacher has to be honest about problems that are going on, but can’t approach the situation in a positive manner. This can be done by asking parents for suggestions and by always finding at least one positive thing to say about the child during each communication. This lets the parents know that the teacher cares and that their involvement is valued. This helps to keep the parents actively participating with the school in a child’s education.

Filed Under: Education, Science Tagged With: Classroom, Education, Parent Involvement, Parent-teacher interview, Student

Online Education: Tips for Switching from the Classroom to the Chatroom

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If your past education experience has taken place in a live classroom, make sure you do your research to figure out if online education is right for you. The benefits of taking an online class may seem endless: work in your pajamas, complete assignments at home, work whenever you want to. However, keep the following things in mind when you debate making the switch to the internet classroom.

1.) You’ll have to teach yourself.

While some professors may post video lectures, you won’t get to ask questions. They won’t see if the class is struggling with something. Prepare to spend extra time with your course materials to ensure that you really grasp each concept.

2.) No one is there to remind you of deadlines.

In class, a professor will often remind you of upcoming deadlines or ask how projects are going. With an online class, it’s easy to forget them until it’s too late. Utilize a calendar to keep track of all of your due dates. Electronic calendars are especially useful, as you can set periodic alarms and reminders to help stay on top of things.

3.) You’re not there to make friends.

It’s easy to strike up a conversation with the students sitting next to you in a classroom. It’s also easier to band together and ask for an extended deadline or review of a lesson. While you may have an online forum to discuss things with fellow students, it won’t be the same as being physically near them.

4.) Expect monotony.

The nice thing about live classrooms is that while you may meet at the same time every week, each session is different. Someone may invoke a professor’s rage when their cell phone rings. Someone may make you laugh. Two students could have a heated argument. Without a set class time, your online class may not be as lively.

If you’re okay with these four things, go ahead and enroll in online classes.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Classroom, E-learning, Education, Educators, Internet forum, Student

Theatre Education: Beginner Improv Games

These improv games are a great way to warm up a theatre class or loosen up before a performance.

1.) Name Volleyball
This is an ideal icebreaker game. Divide the students into two teams. Have everyone introduce themselves. Name Volleyball plays exactly like volleyball, without the ball. Have the students arrange themselves as they would a volleyball team. The student in the serving position must serve an invisible volleyball to the opposite time by naming someone on the opposite team. So if Freddy is serving and he yells Bob, Bob will then catch the ball and pass it to someone by yelling the name of someone on the other team, like Suzy. Suzy must likewise return the ball by yelling another name. No one can return the ball to the person who just passed to them (So Suzy can pass to anyone but Bob). Points are awarded when someone on the other team is unable to call a name within thirty seconds or when someone gets a name wrong. Rotate the kids after every point. It may sound easy, but it’s tricky to remember names under fire.

2.) Yes, And
This game is built upon one of the biggest principles in improvisation: never negate your partner. Divide the students into two lines. Make one line Team A and the other Team B. The two line leaders approach each other. Team A can say any statement in the world to Team B, such as Your shoes are blue or There’s an elephant in the girl’s locker room. Team B must then respond with a Yes, and statement, such as Yes, and my shoes also glow in the dark or Yes, and I’m going to use it to take over the cafeteria. They then go to the end of the line. Switch team roles eventually. This game teaches students to listen to what their teammate has given them and build upon it.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: High school, sport, Student

Theatre Education: Advanced Improv Games

If your students are chomping at the bit to learn more improvisation games, advance them with these challenging games.

1.) Freeze!
Form a circle. Take two volunteers and bring them forth. Ask the class for suggestions for a scene location and occupation. They’ll call out everything from a post office to the moon. Whatever combinations you receive will be the setting for the improv scene. If they say astronauts at the post office, then your two volunteers will be astronauts at the post office. Instruct the rest of the class to let the scene play out a little until they see an opportunity to jump in by clapping their hands and saying “Freeze!” Both actors in the center will freeze. The student who clapped can then choose an actor to replace by tapping them on the shoulder. The new student must begin the scene in the exact same physical position the previous actor was in, but they must come up with a brand new scene. The other actor must follow the new student’s lead until another student claps. Continue the game until everyone has had a turn to jump in.

2.) Props.
Collect some random items in a box (an old hat, a dustpan, a spatula, a banana, etc.). Have your students get in a circle. Take two volunteers and have them come up, select an item, and build an improv scene around those two items. The prop usage doesn’t have to be literal; a person can use a banana as a telephone, for example. If you don’t have the time or resources to gather a box of random items, have each person remove one accessory from their person, like a sock, hat, earring or glove. Once the scene has progressed, find a natural way to end the scene and call forth two more actors. Continue the game until everyone has had a turn.

Filed Under: Education Tagged With: Acting, Languages, Student

Education and ADHD/ADD

: Image by alancleaver_2000 via Flickr

While education has come a long way to understanding the needs of some of the special needs students there is still work to be done when it comes to ADHD and ADD students. Most of the teachers in the educational world today have a decent understanding of what needs most of the ADHD and ADD children need there are still areas that need to be worked on. Communication between the parents and the educators is vital to the success of the students. While this is primarily accomplished with regular parent teacher conferences there is the occasion where added communication is beneficial to all parties involved.

Children with ADHD and ADD require continued attention and support in an effort to keep them focused and on task. This can be difficult for teachers when they have 20 other students in their class also biding for their attention. One way to accomplish this goal is by allowing parents to help more with class work. Home work that is geared toward the student’s difficulties will go a long way to helping them achieve their goals. Parents can help by spending time with the children going over this work and by having a good understanding of the classroom expectations. This will enable the parent to work with the children at home to reach goals in class.

Education for ADHD and ADD children is not impossible and teachers should not just take a stance of acceptance. Assuming that the child is going to do poorly simply because it is how they are is not going to benefit the child in the long run. It is important to challenge the child and make education vital to them. Children with ADHD and ADD simply learn different than other children. Their mind works in a different manner than most people. Therefore they simply need the education handed to them in a different manner.

Filed Under: Education, Science Tagged With: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Child, Education, Health, Parent, Student, Teacher