Week 12 Blog Post

 What did you learn this week? 

This week we looked into and and talked more about matter and mass. We learned about and compared the different properties of matter that makes up an object. The key properties that we touched on in lab was did it sink or float, what was the volume (by using the water displacement method), measured the mass, do the objects conduct electricity, and was it attracted to a magnet. We learned to think like elementary students and carry out some investigations like they would. There are a lot of similarities I took away across the objects, but I learned just how many properties there really are to mass that makes them unique and different to all objects around them without even realizing it always.

How can you apply what you've learned to your teaching in the future?

I can apply what we learned today to my future teachings by taking in these concepts we discussed but then finding ways and applying more specific examples of how to make easier sense of lesson directions for elementary learners. Students need visuals to make sense of how to carry out experiments and this lab taught me having step by step visuals and examples makes all of this information much easier to carry out!  

Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew?

I already knew a lot of information on matter and mass. But, this lesson today gave me a even deeper outlook on it. I knew how many pieces made up matter, but I learned to effectively study matter it is important to carry out and consider all big and main pieces. Doing this, has allowed me to take a step back and look at things from a bigger picture, and consider the ways in which students that hear term matter for first time might feel. There is so many things that make up matter, so I learned to start small with your students and be patient because they are starting from beginning too. The idea of being understanding of different science viewpoints and messages is key. I took away to not shut down any opinions or ideas before you effectively test out theories and can then back it up with accurate evidence and examples. All of this fairly made sense, directions were clear. By creating a table to monitor evidence and outcomes, it was easier to compare and contrast extensively the findings across the different objects and structures. Objects included, eraser, paper clip, penny, crayons, wax, etc. 

Open ended questions I still have:

1. How can we make sure each student is understanding directions to an activity and specific concepts of mass and matter? 

2. How can we create a comfortable space for students to feel comfortable in speaking up in voicing their individual student understanding level?