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National Science Education Standards
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During EDUC 140, I learned how to research, understand, and implement the National Science Education Standards into the classroom.
 
The National Science Education Standards are important to teachers as the standards provide a base of knowledge that students at each level must possess.  In meeting these standards, students will have the necessary knowledge to have success in further studies in science, and empower the students to gain knowledge needed in order to be a productive member in an increasingly technological society.
 
If you would like to view the National Science Education Standards, you can click the link titled "National Science Education Standards" to be transferred to their website.  Below the the link is  an actual assignment conducted during EDUC 140 in which I researched a national science education standard, and devised an activity that would meet the standards.

National Science Education Standards

Benchmark Lesson #2

 

Purpose: The National Science Education Standards indicate that “students (5-8 grades) should begin to work with light microscopes and can interpret accurately what they see.”  The topic of the unit is cells, and gaining insight into the microscopic world.  In this unit, students will be observing many different types of materials under a microscope.  In order to observe different materials under the microscope, the students will need to be able to make a temporary mount, or construct slides.  The purpose of this benchmark activity is to teach students how to construct slides.

 

Grade Level: Fifth Grade

 

Topic:  Constructing Slides for Microscopes (in a unit about cells)

 

Procedures:

            Steps:

1.      Student’s will be separated into groups of three or four

2.      Groups will discuss what types of objects seen in the classroom or in everyday experience they would like to view under a microscope, for example a piece of hair, or a leaf from a plant.  Each student in the group will select a certain material that they would like to view, and each student will be responsible for making a slide.

3.      After students determine the materials they will observe, the teacher will go to groups and demonstrate the steps of constructing a slide.

a.       Place drop of water on a clean slide using a pipette or glass rod.

b.      Carefully transfer the specimen into the drop of water

c.       Pick up a cover slip by its edges and place on edge on the slide by its edges and place one edge of the slide. 

d.      Lower the other edge of the slip.  The water will spread out under it.  Soak up any excess with blotting paper.

4.      The teacher will observe students in their groups constructing the slides, and assist students if they are having trouble.  Students who successfully construct the slide can help their classmates.

5.      After the students construct the slides, assuming they know how to operate, and look into a microscope, the students can look at their specimens, and observe others.

6.      Students discuss the things which they saw under their microscopes.

Materials needed:

1.      Water

2.      clean slides

3.      pipette or glass rod

4.      Specimens each student can investigate

5.      Cover slip

6.      Light microscopes

Safety Requirements:

1.      The investigation is considerably safe, however, make note of the specimens the children are observing and if any of them are harmful, or could cause allergic reactions from students.

2.      Make sure students are careful around microscopes as not to break them.

3.      Make sure they are careful using pipette or glass rod as they could break and possibly hurt a child.

 

Assessment:

            The student’s will be assessed primarily upon observation.  The teacher will be able to determine if students have acquired the skill by how well they are able to put the slides together.  Were students able to complete the activity independently?  Can they identify different materials, and understand their purpose?  Did the students take a long time to complete the activity?  If some student’s were having trouble, were other students, primarily their group members be able to help them?

            Also, by judging the quality of their slides at the end of the lesson, the teacher will understand if the students understood how to construct slides as the slides will be artifacts of the students work.