The importance of early science education.In the mid-'90s, there were few science textbooks or programs for the K-3 set, and none were hands on. In the last several years, however, companies have begun targeting this group. "Have educators, communities and parents done all they can to set the stage for success in mathematics, science and technology at the earliest levels of formal education?" asks Jacqueline R. Johnson in The Forum on Early Childhood Science, Mathematics, and Technology Education. To address this issue, Patti Beck, principal of Wheeler Elementary in Indiana, uses a software program called Waterford Early Math & Science to improve reading skills while teaching science. "Kids have an interest level for non-fiction as much if not more than fiction, so we use science as a base for reading comprehension Reading comprehension can be defined as the level of understanding of a passage or text. For normal reading rates (around 200-220 words per minute) an acceptable level of comprehension is above 75%. ," she says. "Technology enables us to do things faster and differently; with this, we do quick assessments and then gives kids time to practice." Craig K. Mills, principal of the B. M. Williams Primary School in Virginia., discovered a program called KnowledgeBox through a parent in 2002. His K-2 students love . the virtual experiments. "It teaches basic concepts like seasons and the digital media brings it alive for the kids," says Mills. "If we just lecture them, particularly the little ones young children. See also: Little , they don't get it." Since using KnowledgeBox, Mills says he's seen a steady rise in third-grade students' scores on the Virginia Standards of Learning Standards of Learning or (SOL) is a program of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It sets forth learning and achievement expectations for grades K-12 in Virginia's Public Schools. tests, with the largest gains in social studies and science. "In 2004, we met all indicators for AYP AYP Adequate Yearly Progress (National Assessment of Educational Progress) AYP Anarchist Yellow Pages AYP American Youth Philharmonic for the first time." Shirley Malcom, director of the education and human resources The fancy word for "people." The human resources department within an organization, years ago known as the "personnel department," manages the administrative aspects of the employees. program for The American Association for the Advancement of Science American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), private organization devoted to furthering the work of scientists and improving the effectiveness of science in the promotion of human welfare. , agrees that science education must begin earlier. "Science and play and learning are seamless in the right environment, in the right context," she says. One idea is to help connect teachers with scientists or places to go with questions. "Global awareness is building that we can do better at presenting science to young children and engage them in authenticate ways--not just get them to memorize mem·o·rize tr.v. mem·o·rized, mem·o·riz·ing, mem·o·riz·es 1. To commit to memory; learn by heart. 2. Computer Science To store in memory: facts but to become excited about the types of questions we can answer." www.pearsondigital.com/waterford www.knowledgebox.com |
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