Science classes - teaching materials

In this entry I want to describe teaching materials that were used by the teacher during two science lessons, which were conducted in the group of ten first graders.

The beginning of the first lesson was not really connected with science. Teacher welcomed each student and after that they sat on the carpet in the circle. It was the reading time -  I found out that they start every morning with a story. This time it was "The Smartest Giant in Town" by Julia Donaldson. Thanks to this book children were able to understand that it is really worthy to share with others because some day they can return a favour and share with us. During this activity it appeared that one of the boys can not do his laces. What surprised me, was the fact that teacher dedicated a few minutes of the lesson to teach this child how to do his laces - she showed him the entire process several times, using her own scarf.

Next, students were observing what happened with the beans, they planted some time ago. In order to made this experiment and ongoing observations they needed: seed, soil, small box and water. During this lesson, they took their small boxes and tried to notice any changes. After that the children named things which a plant needs to grow and the teacher wrote them down on the whiteboard. 

During the second lesson students were using their activity book - Cambridge Primary Science Skills Builder 1 by Jon Board and Alan Cross. Pupils were drawing what happens with the plant from the moment of planting all the way to the day 14. When they finished this, there was a time for summing up the process of plant growing -  each child described one day according to the previous drawings.

Thanks to this lesson I can conclude that the choice and variety of materials used during each lesson is essential from the point of effective learning. Materials chosen by the teacher were diversified which kept students engaged and interested during the entirety of two lessons. I have to admit that they were really curious, both during reading a book, and work connected with their science project. For me as a teacher it's crucial because it shows me that I have to be aware of how the choice of materials can affect the process of learning and also teaching. I can not only use coursebook or worksheets but also I must remember about visual aids like books, flashcards; about songs or real objects which engage more students' senses and increase the effectiveness of acquiring the new knowledge.