Category: Uncategorized
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Quantum Physics is a thing we can learn
I’ve been intimidated by the words for such a long time that I feel surprised when the concepts are sort of straightforward. First of all, what even is “quantum physics”? It turns out that a “quantum” is the tiniest possible thing. Planck and Einstein at the turn of the 20th century published about energy having…
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Learning science is my favorite.
In order to renew my teaching certification while not employed by a school, I chose to take the certification exam. The trouble turned out to be that a quarter of the exam was on Earth and Space Science and, having the hubris to believe I could pass this thing without any elaborate preparation, I found…
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Plein air painting and light absorption
STEAM is always getting me excited, but today I had a delightful opportunity to begin learning plein air painting. Observational skills are something art and science always have in common, but guess what else I learned! In order to make an object appear further away, you essentially paint air! I was excited because I had…
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Three year old people often engage with dance
I was substitute teaching for a “lower school” Science teacher last week and I got assigned Ye Olde Sink/Float lesson. It’s a good one for multisensory persons. The language is straightforward, you can use recognizable objects and relate to their experience. You can change it around or add stuff or talk about adaptations: Eggs, ice,…
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Word roots build vocabulary
Practicing Science Together generally rejects making science classes about memorization, but building blocks like multiplication tables and phonics can reduce cognitive load. Similarly, word roots give learners the power to decode texts and new concepts, knowing that we have some sense of what’s about to happen. There is no better place to talk about word…
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Wait, what should I write in my lab notebook?
I have a new post for the scaffolding of keeping lab notebooks. It’s actually not at all trivial to learn the skill of record-keeping. Here’s a thing I set up for 5th graders, specifically to teach the skill of “observation.” Earlier in the school year, we had done another module with pill bugs and sow…
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Notebooks and journals and drawings, oh my!
As a grown-up, I’ve been learning “nature journaling,” which is fascinating and endless in terms of learning. And when it comes to practicing science together, my own practice as a co-learner with my children is super important to me. This book was recommended to me at a workshop: It’s a beautiful book. The ceiling is…
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“Practicing” science together. The “practicing” part.
I love play. Play is the way young animals learn. It’s super important. Letting learners play around in natural spaces and let their subconscious minds work: critical. Also, giving learners the opportunity to be “self-led” and “hands-on” and all those other buzzwords: so important. But I use the word “practicing” for a reason, and it…
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First of all, @alongsidethesky is my current favorite TikTok creator
They’re a grown radical unschooler and I love them. Secondly, I would like to talk about this video and my #PracticingScienceTogether pillars that say there are no facts in science and primary sources are important at every level. Also, though… Sir, if you have taught history for 25 years and no one has asked you…
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Togetherness matters: Reason 1
This blog (and the YouTube and Gmail accounts associated with my public voice) has a word the other social media accounts don’t have. (Instagram and tiktok still had @PracticingScience available.) Even though it makes the name clunky, the “Together” part of the webpage title actually matters. The “one room schoolhouse” model is what I see…