Published in Oak Hill Blog

November 15, 2018

Is Your Child Receiving the Best Science Education Possible?

Three Things to Look for in a K–4 Science Program

by Mrs. Cahalane, Lower School Science Teacher

Oak Hill Academy, Lincroft, NJ

1. Science class at the elementary level must be a hands-on program.

Teachers need to create a curriculum that allows children to DO science, not just read about it. The K–4 science class should not consist of teachers lecturing & demonstrating. There must be a hands-on component where children are actively engaged in the topic being taught. Teachers need to create science lessons that encourage children to BE scientists- allowing them to inquire, explore, and investigate on their own.

2. Science class must be taught twice per week without exception.

Many teachers carve out science time but sometimes use it to catch up on standardized test subjects such as reading or math. Science is as important as the core subjects & teachers cannot substitute a science block with another subject. Make science a priority!

3. The elementary science curriculum needs to contain at least one STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) component at every grade level.

A good STEM lesson should start with giving children a problem & then asking them to solve it using the 4 STEM fields without the help of a step-by-step guide provided by the teacher. Encourage children to think on their own & to learn through trial and error.  The teacher becomes the “guide on the side” rather than the traditional “sage on the stage.” For example: challenge first graders to build bridges. The point of the challenge is not to memorize facts about bridges and what makes them stand. The point of the STEM lesson should be –how can you MAKE a bridge that stands and does not collapse when weight is put on it?

Allow children to use everyday materials –paper towel tubes, empty tissue boxes, colored paper, etc. –to make their own bridges and see for themselves what works and what doesn’t. Sure the teacher can give a step-by-step guide on how to make the best bridge but isn’t it better to allow the children to figure this out for themselves?

Oak Hill Academy is a private school in NJ. The PK –4 science curriculum adheres to the 3 tenets listed above and is just one of the things that make Oak Hill Academy one of the best private schools in Monmouth County. To see photos of the science program in action, please take a look at Mrs. Cahalane’s Instagram account, @science_oakhillacademy.

Share
Article By Oak Hill Academy
Oak Hill Academy is a Monmouth County NJ private school that is co-educational, independent, nonsectarian, and nonprofit for grades per-kindergarten through eight.

Our Latest News

“Why?” Is the Question

“Why?” Is the Question Young children are consistently asking “why?”  They have an instinctive need to know about everything that enters their worlds.  Their senses are hard wired to be on the alert for stimuli which captures their interest.  As we grow older, we continue to be curious about our environment, however, we may not […]

Read More
Five Keys to Enhance Student Intrinsic Motivation

Five Keys to Enhance Student Intrinsic Motivation We often hear that many students today are bored and not motivated in Pre-K – 12 schools.  We have found that extrinsic motivation such as grades and rewards have little effect and are short-lived.  Today, learners of all ages have diversions apart from school, with lives filled with […]

Read More
“The Portfolio Project”

“The Portfolio Project” What is a portfolio? Oak Hill Academy is excited to offer the opportunity for the eighth-grade class to create an online digital portfolio using my.bulbapp.com.  The portfolio is a collection of the student’s academic and personal achievements. It will include projects, essays, personal reflections, descriptions of activities, pictures, and videos. Students can […]

Read More
Collaborating Extends Learning

Collaborating Extends Learning People working together is essential for any successful endeavor. Whether it be for nations, companies, or families, working toward a common goal usually leads to the best possible outcome. In the educational setting, this is even more essential since collaboration is the primary focus of interaction. Students engage and learn from each […]

Read More
Get The Latest News From Oak Hill! Join our newsletter now
News & Events

News & Events

Featured News

More News

Two Oak Hill Academy Students Earn Perfect Scores in National Math Olympiads Competition Read More
Oak Hill Academy Students Participate in a Rutgers University Research Project on Barn Swallows Read More
Oak Hill Academy Students Earn Top Honors in National Latin Exam Read More
Oak Hill Students recognized in “Student Voices” Read More
View More

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events.

View All Events