Classroom Management

Individual Students

Students may work individually on a kit. A student may assemble and conduct each investigation without the help of others. A student should be able to read the directions, assemble each stage of the kit and perform each lab investigation. The ability level and age of the student will affect the rate the kit is assembled and the investigations performed. Adjust activities based on time available and mastery level desired.

Groups of Students

("Three people working together can make a genius!" Old Japanese proverb for teamwork and team spirit.)

Student groups of 2 or 3 with the Solar Sport Racer kit work well. Groups of 4th and 5th graders have completed the assembly and testing after 3 one-hour work sessions.

A group may divide the tasks of reading, interpreting, and assembling the kit. The same group then works together to conduct the experiments, record observations, discuss the results and determine what was learned. Students will learn to work as team, reach an agreement as to the experiment to be conducted, the illustration or directions to be followed. The group students will develop an understanding of the vocabulary used in building the kits, conducting the experiments and explaining what was learned.

Working as a team, the tasks may be divided among the team members. Each time a new assembly step or lab investigation is to be done, the tasks may be rotated. As a team, the students should read, discuss then agree upon the assembly steps. The responsibility for the assembly should be rotated so all group members have the opportunity to work on and assemble the kit.

When experimenting, the group should read, discuss then agree on how to conduct the experiment. Students should share the responsibility of doing the testing and recording observations. Download the Seibun Lab Sheets (available at www.Seibun.net or your current supplier's website).

After making and recording observations, the group should discuss what happened then reach an agreement of what was learned. The teacher or adult in charge should check the understanding of the group to ensure the correct conclusions were reached before continuing onto the next assembly step.

Younger Students and Solar Sports Racer Kits

If younger students wish to use and experiment with the Solar Sports Racer kits, it may be a good idea for the instructor or older, more experienced students to partially assemble some or all of the kits before presenting the lesson. That way, younger students can immediately begin experimenting and avoid being frustrated with directions above their reading and comprehension level.

Notes for All Ages: Experiences and comments from educators have also shown that many students are more open to 'trial and error' learning, if they get to see it as fun and interesting. Prior to the hands-on sessions, commit your students in writing to the spirit of science, your classroom's 'Rules of Discovery' and ethics. Involve the class.

Often, trial and error is just plain fun and part of discovery. ("Attitude determines altitude"). Let them explain or teach their discoveries to you. In most cases they will discover the solution by themselves or by consulting peers. They teach themselves! Make sure they adhere to the 'Rules of Discovery' in their dealings with peers. Encourage written observations and download the Seibun Lab Sheets available at www.Seibun.net or from your current supplier.

Base your decision on your type of group (ages and level) and your time schedule. Before starting, you and the students can draft a schedule that shows expected timeframes for each experiment (including the time needed for recording on Lab Sheets). Create a plan of action that commits your students by involving them in the process. Send us your comments via the www.Seibun.net site.

If not enough kits are available, teaching is performed by having teams of students present their labs, experiments, records etc. to their own group or in front of the entire class, sharing the same kit(s). You can divide the classroom according to the number of kits. One team of 2 or 3 students then rotates, presenting in front of their respective group (or the entire classroom if you only have one kit.

Fundraising for science kits: Download Fundraising Forms and ideas from our site (or email us about Fundraising Sources and grants).

  © www.seibunUSA.com