{"id":4942,"date":"2021-06-08T07:31:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-08T11:31:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/?p=4942"},"modified":"2021-05-28T18:32:14","modified_gmt":"2021-05-28T22:32:14","slug":"learning-strategies-to-boost-science-comprehension","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2021\/06\/learning-strategies-to-boost-science-comprehension\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning Strategies to Boost Science Comprehension"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not long ago, I came across this interesting\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iste.org\/explore\/course-mind\/4-learning-science-strategies-proven-boost-understanding?utm_campaign=ISTESproutSocial&amp;utm_medium=social&amp;utm_source=twitter.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">article about learning strategies<\/a>. The author discusses\u00a0four specific strategies to improve student\u00a0learning\u00a0when implementing and designing lessons. The ideas came from a longer article that included many other\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.aft.org\/sites\/default\/files\/periodicals\/dunlosky.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">study strategies to support student learning<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-medium\"><a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2021_JUN_BoostScience_Hall.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2021_JUN_BoostScience_Hall-200x300.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5045\" srcset=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2021_JUN_BoostScience_Hall-200x300.png 200w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2021_JUN_BoostScience_Hall-683x1024.png 683w, https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/2021_JUN_BoostScience_Hall.png 735w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Learning about strategies and implementing them into everyday lessons isn\u2019t always easy. In addition to time constraints, teachers also need to consider the availability of technology, differentiation of content and assessments, learning objectives, standards, and much more.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/worldoceanday.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">World Ocean Day<\/a>\u00a0is June 8, and this seems like an excellent opportunity to look at the four learning strategies discussed in the article above and consider how to incorporate them into science lessons. Learn more about World Ocean Day on their website, which contains an event planning toolkit that includes posters, videos, and animations. The five guiding principles for the event are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Support locally-led conservation.<\/li><li>Work toward a more equitable and inclusive vision for nature conservation.<\/li><li>Honor the sovereignty of tribal nations.<\/li><li>Support private conservation.<\/li><li>Be guided by science.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keeping World Ocean Day in mind, let\u2019s look at how to include these four strategies in lessons about oceans and conservation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Retrieval&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This strategy boosts learning by&nbsp;deliberately recalling information&nbsp;without having materials to reference\u2014for example, finding out what students know about oceans without having a map, textbook, or teaching materials in front of them. Many of us would consider this to be prior knowledge. Short quizzes provide the opportunity for educators to determine prior knowledge and build instruction from that starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Quizlet (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=8577\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) is a flashcard creation tool. Create your quizzes or choose from the vast library available on the site. This\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/quizlet.com\/506172636\/ocean-flash-cards\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ocean Flashcard set<\/a>\u00a0is an example of one that includes several vocabulary terms and definitions. Copy any group and modify it to fit your needs. Use the flashcards and activities like matching games, practice tests, and learning practice throughout your teaching unit for additional practice.\u00a0<\/li><li>This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nathab.com\/blog\/take-our-ocean-quiz-for-world-oceans-day\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ocean Quiz for World Ocean Day<\/a> provides questions as an introduction to World Ocean Day. Find out what your students know by taking this quiz together. Don\u2019t worry about incorrect answers; they offer opportunities for engaging students in developing further understanding of the content!<\/li><li>What do your students know about plastic pollutants in the ocean? Ask students to take this <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.nwf.org\/2020\/09\/quiz-ocean-plastic-pollution\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Ocean Plastic Pollution Quiz<\/a>: to find out what they know about endangered ocean animals and ocean litter.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Concept Mapping<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Pictures, diagrams, and images help learners&nbsp;organize information and understand the connection&nbsp;between information. Help students create relationships through the use of graphic organizers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Use the draw tool in Google Docs to create graphic organizers. Take a look at these\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/sites.google.com\/view\/drivingdigitallearning\/graphic-organizers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">examples<\/a>, then save them to your Google Drive by making a copy. When studying oceans and pollution, the Cause-and-Effect Chart is a simple way to document the effects of pollutants. Offer the Brace Map as a tool for students to brainstorm solutions to ocean pollution.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>Use Mindmaps (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=18296\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) to create graphic organizers as a class, or have older students create and share their own.\u00a0For example, create a graphic organizer describing animal and plant life in the ocean or a chart that lists features of different oceans.<\/li><li>Find ideas and download templates for science graphic organizers for both primary and intermediate grades at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencea-z.com\/main\/resourcetype\/type\/graphic-organizers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Science A-Z<\/a>. Sign up for a free trial to access and download the available items.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Elaboration<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This strategy involves studying by explaining information and describing with details. It also emphasizes the connections between known information and new content.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Use a tool such as EdPuzzle (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=15288\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) to add questions into videos that allow students to explain concepts or expand upon the information in the video.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/edpuzzle.com\/media\/6010cb700d70314254d62b15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This example<\/a>\u00a0uses a video called \u201cThe Secret Life of Corals\u201d and includes multiple-choice and open-ended questions for students to complete.<\/li><li>Classroom Management Systems such as Nearpod (<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=14985\" target=\"_blank\">reviewed her<\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=14985\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">e<\/a>) provide many tools for elaboration.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nearpod.com\/t\/science\/5th\/ecosystems-explore-the-ocean-L38853501\">This example<\/a>\u00a0guides students through a series of activities that allow students to explore ocean ecosystems and elaborate using different strategies such as think-pair-share.<\/li><li>TED-Ed lessons are another source for including elaboration in your science lessons. These lessons always include introductory videos and encourage students to dive deeper into the materials through several different question responses and guided discussions.\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/ed.ted.com\/best_of_web\/YtYb80OT\" target=\"_blank\">This lesson<\/a>\u00a0begins with a video from Bill Nye and challenges students to explore what would happen if all of the ice melted on the earth. Find out more about how to adapt and use TED-Ed lessons with this\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.com\/blog\/2021\/04\/connect-to-nature-with-earth-school\/\" target=\"_blank\">recent blog<\/a>\u00a0from TeachersFirst about Earth School.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Spaced Practice<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Do you remember cramming for tests? Spaced practice is the exact opposite\u2014it\u2019s the&nbsp;deliberate practice of spacing learning activities&nbsp;to build up retention of information over a longer period of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Incorporate choice boards into your science instruction that offer students the ability to demonstrate learning by selecting a variety of activities throughout your teaching unit.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.lee.k12.nc.us\/cms\/lib\/NC01001912\/Centricity\/Domain\/2042\/ScienceChoiceBoards.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Here are some examples\u00a0<\/a>of science choice boards for several topics in grades 3\u20145. Learn more about choice boards by watching this archive of the October 2020 OK2Ask webinar, \u201c<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=19094\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Engage &amp; Inspire: Choice Boards for Differentiation<\/a>.\u201d<\/li><li>Build time into your weekly schedule to review previous lessons. Include a learning center as a review area or incorporate previously learned material in computer centers. For example, have a link to your Quizlet activity at a computer center or share it with students for at-home practice throughout your ocean unit. Leave quiz activities available for students to use throughout the year. Consider creating a Wakelet (<a href=\"http:\/\/www.teachersfirst.com\/single.cfm?id=17619\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">reviewed here<\/a>) collection of learning activities students can access on classroom computers and at home. Use this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wakelet.com\/wake\/JNLDFcvE5Ek2ruJ_lTuvd\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">resource list template<\/a>\u00a0as a starting point to add links and classroom materials for your ocean unit.\u00a0<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/qJ7HtVV2oo8\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">This video<\/a>\u00a0explains the strategy of using spaced practice in clear terms, including a look at the psychology behind using this method to help students spark memory and support retention.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Find additional ocean resources, including Bitmoji lessons, Newsela articles, and Flipgrid ideas, in this\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/wke.lt\/w\/s\/F3jbEo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Wakelet collection<\/a>, which also includes links to all information shared in this article.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What learning strategies do you incorporate into science lessons? Do you have a favorite technology tool that improves learning? We always enjoy hearing from our readers in the comments!&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Not long ago, I came across this interesting\u00a0article about learning strategies. The author discusses\u00a0four specific strategies to improve student\u00a0learning\u00a0when implementing and designing lessons. The ideas came from a longer article that included many other\u00a0study strategies to support student learning. Learning about strategies and implementing them into everyday lessons isn\u2019t always easy. In addition to time &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/2021\/06\/learning-strategies-to-boost-science-comprehension\/\" class=\"more-link\">read more &raquo;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[50,13,174],"class_list":["post-4942","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-classroom-application","tag-instructional-strategies","tag-science","tag-teaching"],"modified_by":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4942","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4942"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4942\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5053,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4942\/revisions\/5053"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4942"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4942"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/teachersfirst.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4942"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}