Teaching Middle/High School Science
BY: Hannah Miller
Embedded Files
LEARNING TARGETS
LEARNING TARGETS
Why science needs to be taught in a classroom setting
Mrs. Drivers intake on teaching middle school science in a pandemic
"WHY SCIENCE NEEDS TO BE TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM"
Teaching science in middle schools is needed because students need hands on learning to understand critically what they are being taught. Students need to be able to understand what is going on in today’s world and how it is created (Importance of Science Education in schools, 2008 & 2021).
In the New England Journal of Medicine, they personally think in-person learning matters for science because students need the correct social and experiences to understand science. Without science being taught in classrooms kids are lacking problem solving skills they gain from being in the classroom (Levinson, 2021).
It is important for students to go back to the classroom because students are more motivated when they see exciting and different material to learn. More students are engaged with science when they can create the solar system, use test tubes, look in telescopes, or even be able to grow a garden behind the school (Importance of Science Education in schools, 2008 & 2021).
Mrs. Drivers intake on teaching middle school science in a pandemic
Mrs. Drivers intake on teaching middle school science in a pandemic
- For my interview I chose my middle school science teacher who is currently teaching in the pandemic. For her interview. Within in the interview it was intriguing to see from an actual teacher perspective and views on teaching in the pandemic.
- “What is one thing you had to change or work with within your lessons because of the pandemic”?
Mrs. Driver stated, “When the pandemic hit, I was required to work exclusively with Google classroom. I worked night and day learning how to navigate Google classroom, figuring out how to embed YouTube videos (which we are not allowed to stream), learning how to video myself teaching, and creating assessments to assess mastery of content by my students. I can say that we are all trying to do our best with what we have to work with. One of the things I had to change which is so very sad, is I had to stop doing many hands-on lab activities. I have about 100 students.... around 60 are hybrid. The students can't share lab equipment or sit together to do a lab which means that I have to have a lab set-up for each individual student. "
“How much of a difference are your grades than in your past years of teaching?”
She stated, "I can't be with them at home and they just aren't doing the work necessary to pass. Learning during a pandemic requires a certain amount of personal motivation and acceptance that, as a student, you have to do your part. Students must accept responsibility for their own learning by reading and studying notes, watching videos of teaching, going into the notes to correct mistakes on assessments, etc. Unmotivated students just aren't doing it. They are missing the in-person piece of the puzzle where we instill the value of learning. As far as cheating goes.... I’m sure that it is happening. It has been my experience that students who need to cheat will not put forth that much effort. Even when I give an open note test, the unmotivated students will not take the time to look up the answers. I can encourage and guide my students to do what is right, but character education comes from the home."
“Do you think it is important for students to be back in school to be able to learn science?”
“I do think it is important for students to be back in school. However, not under the current circumstances. Teachers should NOT be expected to risk their lives to teach. When we chose this profession, we did so because of our love for children and our love of learning. Never did we agree to risk our lives for it. Members of the military, law enforcement, and fire fighters knew going into their professions that their lives would be at risk on a daily basis and agreed to that. Teachers did not agree to die to teach adding fractions, moon phases, verb tenses, or Civil War battles; and we shouldn't be expected to do so. And shaming teachers for not wanting to risk their lives needs to stop. Whenever people throw shame at teachers who are not willing to die, I ask them this simple question: "How many dead teachers is okay with you?" If the answer is zero, then you can't expect them to return to the classroom full-time until the pandemic is over. “Stated Mrs. Driver.
CLOSING
CLOSING
In closing I think it is very important for students and teachers to be in school. I think students are going to get the right education with active teaching and engagement from the teacher. I also do believe that teachers will get to know their student better and learning their learning style. By the teachers doing so it can support the student and get them the type of education that they need.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
MULTIPLE CHOICE
How did Mrs. Drivers Grade changed?
a. get much worse
b. get better
c. stayed the same
d. varied
What are students lacking when they aren't in the classroom ?
a. writing
b. coloring
c. problem solving
d. economics
ANSWER: A & C
REFERNCE
REFERNCE
Importance of science education in schools. (2017, September 08). Retrieved February 16, 2021, from https://academicpartnerships.uta.edu/articles/education/importance-of-science-education.aspx
Levinson, M., Author AffiliationsFrom the Harvard Graduate School of Education, Jamieson, S., L. R. Baden and Others, F. P. Polack and Others, & Others, O. (2020, September 03). Reopening primary schools during the pandemic: Nejm. Retrieved February 16, 2021, from https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMms2024920
Page updated
Report abuse