Katelyn Tipton Science Methods Blog

 This week, I learned the 8 characteristics of living things and used those characteristics to determine if things are living or nonliving. I also learned that a seed is not a living thing, but it has the potential to be one, with the right conditions.  This can apply to my teaching, as this week has given me some great examples of ways to incorporate hands-on learning in a science classroom by making posters of what we have learned and growing plants to show the different stages and what conditions they need to survive and grow.  After this week, one question I have is what ways (other than making posters) can we help students to remember the characteristics of living things in a fun and hands-on way?

 This week, I learned what the NGSS is. Before class, I didn't know what it was or how it was relevant to my future teaching. Now, I have a decent understanding of how to read standards and where they apply in the classroom. Iowa is one the many states that has adopted the NGSS, so I will definitely need to be able to read and understand the standards in my future teaching career. One question I have regarding the NGSS is why only some states use it and others use different standards. I think it would be beneficial for all American students to be taught science using the same standards, especially for students that move frequently, so they can pick up where they left off at their previous school. In lab, we also drew our future classrooms with features we want to include. One thing my group included is pod seating, so students each have their own desk, but can also do group work frequently.