Module 4: Constructivism vs. Traditional

Constructivism in the classroom in my opinion is the most effective way of meeting the needs of our students while having them become subject matter experts. As stated in the reading, constructivism allows students to construct their own understanding and knowledge of the world, through experiencing things and reflecting on those experiences. I think one of the most exciting new way to implement constructivism is through a flipped classroom. Both a flipped classroom and constructivism allow the students to be at the center of the learning and thinking as opposed to traditional teaching, where a teacher will just teach at the students instead of including them in the thinking and learning process. One of my favorite things about constructivism is that the teacher guides the students with questions that encourages deeper, critical thinking and allows the student to be an active participant in the learning process. A quote that really stuck out to me from the reading was, "Constructivism is also often misconstrued as a learning theory that compels students to reinvent the wheel... Students do not reinvent the wheel but, rather, attempt to understand how it turns, how it functions." Reflecting on my previous lessons that I have taught I believe that I have primarily used constructivism in my teaching style, however, I could use it more often. Based on some research and discussions with my classmates I may try implementing a flipped classroom and have more student driven activities.

S3P2. Students will investigate magnets and how they affect other magnets and common objects. 

a. Investigate to find common objects that are attracted to magnets. 

b. Investigate how magnets attract and repel each other. 

Excite

• Provide students with different types of objects at each table and have them experiment with which object are attracted to the magnet.
• Create a KWL chart

Explore

• Watch a BrainPOP on magnets
• Give the students a magnet and go on a scavenger hunt to find magnetic objects around the classroom. 

Explain

• Write observations in science journal
• Participate in student discussion
• Think-Pair-Share

Expand

• Student will come up with an invention that uses magnet, draw the invention, and write a short description.

Extend

• Have the students hunt for everyday objects that use magnets in them and draw those objects in their science journal.
• Participate in a class discussion that include the questions: How do magnets help us everyday? How do we use them? 

Exchange

• Create Glogster, Prezi, or PowerPoint about magnets with group
• Students will experiment with magnets, a variety of sizes of magnetic objects, and write observations about strengths of different combinations of magnets.

Examine

• Complete KWL chart
• Complete WebQuest on magnets