Elementary Science Methods I Segal, James

 In lab this week we focused on density and why substances have different densities. This was hard to think about at first, but then we each drew out models and walked around to see what everyone else had to say about it. This helped me grab a better understanding. Then we focused on learning about matter and took MnMs and put them on a plate to test different things to see how the MnMs would react. One of our plates had normal water, and the other had sugar added to the water. We took a time lapse which showed us the difference the sugar made when watching the color come off the MnM and change the color of the water.  I would love to incorporate this into my future classroom by doing the same lab. I think by using MnMs, the students will be able to understand what matter is and what happens when it interacts with different substances. I believe my students would be highly engaged because they would be excited that we are using candy, but also because it looks very cool when t...

 - This week in lab we learned about different kinds of matter. We used different objects to test their volume, mass, magnetic capabilities, conductivity, and whether or not the item could float in water. Some of the objects we tested were cork, foil, marbles, straws, crayons, erasers, coins, clay, toothpicks, pipe cleaners, wooden blocks, and candles. It was very interesting how these different objects had various outcomes when tested. I thought the coolest part was testing the pipe cleaners and whether or not they could float. At first they floated, and after they were in the water for a second, they sunk to the bottom.  - I can use this in my future classroom as an example of teaching my students about matter. Depending on the grade level, I may need to change a few things up. But overall the different ideas studied during this lab would be extremely efficient for students to learn and understand what matter truly is.  - A question I have after completing this lab woul...

 This week in lab we learned about different phenomena. We did this by completing a couple different activities. The first activity we used water and M&M's to notice how the water effected the color of the M&M's as well as how the color of the water changed. Then we moved on to different stations where we made predictions of what would happen in certain situations. One was comparing how fast ice would melt on a wood plank, or in a metal pot. Another station was demonstrating the reaction between baking soda and vinegar with was super cool. We also spent some time learning about observing, explaining, and questions.  I would love to incorporate this into my future classroom by doing some of these stations with my students. I believe this would be helpful to help my students understand different scientific ideas. Even just helping them understand that what is considered science.  After lab this week I have come up with two questions. The first being, how can we desc...