Encouraging Curiosity in Young Scientists
In the early grades, students may think science is all about awe-inducing experiments - but it’s so much more than that! Students in your class may come in eager to learn, but how can you instil a sense of curiosity about the world around us?
KWL - What I already KNOW, What I WANT to know, What I LEARNED
KNOW - Start by having a simple conversation with your students about the topic at hand that you will be learning about. This is best carried out before any new learning takes place. For example, if you will be teaching your students about buoyancy, introduce the word and perhaps guide them into what that means in kid-friendly terms (ie. floating or sinking). Then, open it up to see what your students already know. Feel free to write down their ideas on a class poster/chart paper, or have students copy it into their science journals.
WANT TO KNOW - Once you have probed their minds for background knowledge, you can begin to dig into what they might want to know. As the teacher, you can provide an example of this and write it down to get the curiosity flowing. One example of this could be “Will a pencil will float or sink?” or “Why do some things float while others sink?” Have the students turn and talk to their neighbour to encourage participation, show a short video clip without giving away all of the answers, or you could even do a short demo to boggle the minds of your students (ie. dropping an empty, sealed bottle into water and witnessing it float). The goal here is to get them wondering WHY.
LEARNED - At the end of a new concept or the unit, come back to this exercise and complete the section of what they learned. They probably know more than they even realize! I like to do this as a whole class and I have even used their collective information as part of a study guide prior to a quiz!
Take your Lesson Outside!
There is something about fresh air that inspires kids to ask “why?” If you are introducing a new topic and you are able to link it to the environment around your school (ie. plants in your community), this is a great way to get the kids engaged! They can bring a clipboard to write about or draw anything they see, and you can even have them write down 1-3 questions they have about the topic at hand. This is a great activity for students with varying abilities since they can choose to write as much or as little as they want. One other strategy for success in this type of activity is to pair them up and give them a job. You could even tie this into a scavenger hunt if you like!
Infusing Technology into your Lessons
Technology can be your best friend when attempting to open your students’ eyes to the big, exciting world of science! I love to use research activities such as slideshows with my class - they are so versatile. You can create a template to simplify the process, include a planning page, or have them buddy up with their big buddies in an older grade if computers are an issue. They work great as an extension project for students who need a challenge, and they’re fantastic for helping struggling students develop vocabulary skills - their assignment can be as simple as typing a word in a slide and including a picture to accompany it. Presenting them can provide an opportunity to develop those speaking skills, too! Bonus.
All of my Science Unit Bundles include a KWL (like this Wheels and Levers Unit) along with other valuable resources that are unit specific. Try these methods out in your class for maximum curiosity and engagement in science class. Don’t be surprised if the questions spill over into other subjects, though!
