As the days become numbered until I enter my first science classroom and become the "expert" on solids, liquids and gases and the changes that can occur in their properties under given conditions, I have to scratch my head and wonder... do I know this stuff?
So before I step foot in the classroom under the inquisitive eyes of 25 third graders I know I need to brush up on my content knowledge. Fortunately, I have a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips and a strong support system in my corner.
My first step in acquiring the knowledge needed to feel confident in teaching this content area is to examine the contents of the STC Kit that we will be using. This kit contains an array of materials that will help teach the properties of solids, liquids, and gases to the third grade students, as well as detailed lesson plans for the unit. After I examine the kit and read through the lesson plans, I can further my content knowledge through the use of our science textbooks. The book Sciencesaurus by Great Source Publications (2005) provides great information about properties of matter and changes in the states of matter. This is a great first resource to check out because it explains these science concepts in a way that children will understand and comprehend. Another resource that is good to use to help brush up on content knowledge is the BrainPop Website . This fun resource for students provides short videos on different topics across all subject areas. There are some great videos especially for States of Matter, Matter Changing States, and Property Changes. All these instructional videos help refresh my content knowledge. These videos could also be used in my lessons for the Changes Unit.
It is also important that I familiarize myself with the Massachusetts state frameworks for science education. Looking at the frameworks will help me as I prepare my lesson plans for this unit. I can use these frameworks as a guideline for my instruction and to see exactly what content is appropriate for a third grade classroom.
There are so many resources out there to help teachers with their content knowledge, the internet is a fabulous resource. The website www.learner.org offers some great information for a "changes" unit. The library is another good place to find valuable resources to help with content knowledge. Reading science textbooks can give you a host of information to further your knowledge of specific content areas.
I am very excited about teaching the "Changes" Lesson with our third grade classroom. I am excited to give students the chance to examine the physical world around them and the changes they see happen everyday. I am looking forward to building excitement about science ideas and concepts. With all this excitement there definitely is a little anxious nervousness. I know however, that the best way to ease my nerves and build my confidence is to build on my content knowledge and feel comfortable with the material I need to teach. Luckily, I have many resources available to me and all I need to do is take an active role in learning the material. The information is out there I just need to go get it!
