Week 1 Blog - Elementary Science Methods (Addyson Junge)

Week 1 Blog - Elementary Science Methods (Addyson Junge)

January 25, 2025

paper with outline of my dream classroom

  1. What did you learn this week?
    • During the first week of class, we learned about the course syllabus and a little bit about our professor, Dr. Hyesun You. During the discussion section, our class learned about the NGSS (Next Generation Science Standards) and why it is important to use it as an elementary teacher. We also did an activity with a partner to create our dream classroom (picture above). During our first lecture, Dr. You talked about the specific characteristics of DNA. 
  2. Are you able to relate what you learned to what you already knew?
    • I am able to relate the characteristics of living things to my previous knowledge. I remember learning about this in elementary and middle school, so I got a nice refresher. Talking about the NGSS was new to me, but I remember being a student and noticing the patterns of the standards. For instance, "I can do a,b,c while demonstrating x,y,z," remembering the words "I can" specifically.
  3. Which parts did you find clear and which were confusing?
    • I found talking about the characteristics of living things clear for the most part. I am still slightly confused about the difference between DNA, RNA, genes, and genomes. As far as the NGSS, I understood where to find it and why it's important, but I had a hard time grasping everything the standards were describing. For example, when to use DCI Arrangments, Performance Expectations, and Topic Arrangements. One more thing I was confused about was the discipline of science and when to use it. I understood crosscutting concepts and how to identify them. 

Comments

  1. Macy EngelmannJanuary 26, 2025 at 1:59 PM

    Hi Addy! I agree that this first week in the class has been a nice refresher for me since it has been awhile since I have had a science class. I like your classroom you have created and it looks like it would be very welcoming and a place students could do their best in!

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  2. BellaJanuary 26, 2025 at 2:09 PM

    Hi Addy! Your insights into the NGSS are thoughtful, especially recognizing the importance of these standards in guiding elementary science education. I like how you could relate the characteristics of living things to your prior knowledge by revisiting these concepts. I had the same confusion with the standards and grasping everything being described about them. Overall, this was a good reflection regarding the first week of class!

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  3. Claudia WitteJanuary 26, 2025 at 9:10 PM

    Hi Addy! I love how you discussed the topic of living things as a refresher, and when it comes to DNA, genes, and genomes, I like to think of it as DNA is within genes and genes are within genomes like stepping stones in size. I really like how you connected the standards to how you experienced them in school as well. Great job, Addy!

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