Science-My Weakness

by Lyn Newton | More from this Blogger

01 Apr 2007 04:36 PM

As a student, I never had much interest in science. My science teachers never really made it exciting and I struggled to make myself study and learn the subject. Of all subjects, science was always my weakest area.

When I began my student teaching program, I received horrible news. Not only was I put in an eighth grade classroom but I was also assigned to teach science. After hearing the news, my stomach ached. I dreaded it more and more each day. However, it turned out that the placement was a blessing. I had to study hard at night to teach the subject the next day. Yet, it grew on me. I learned to work with the children and to find interest in science.

My student teaching could not have prepared me more for my first teaching job. My very first paid job was teaching eighth grade. I was once again assigned to teach science. This time, I felt much more prepared and confident.

There are still many things about science that I do not know. However, I have developed a strong love for teaching science. I discovered that science is a very easy subject to relate to real life and create hands-on activities. There is no reason for a science class to be boring.

My school system has now started placing less and less emphasis on science. Test scores are measured mainly by language arts and math. Many teachers are being required to only teach science in connection with language arts. While it can be successfully done, there is much more to science than teachers are allowing students to learn. Science has slowly fallen in the cracks. In my next few articles, I would like to discuss the field of science. I hope to spark some interests among teachers to once again bring science and experiments into their curriculum.

Related Articles Website for Homeschoolers: Science News for Kids Homeschooling and Animal Planet Science at Home: Super Solutions

Learn more about Lyn Newton

Lyn is a kindergarten teacher and mommy to a girl and a boy. In her spare time, she enjoys informative and creative writing.

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Valorie Delp (49340) 01 Apr 2007 07:01 PM

I looooooove teaching science and I too, was just like you--HATED it in college as a matter of fact. For several years we worked at our school to make a science fair.

Lyn Newton (3966) 02 Apr 2007 04:11 AM

It is so odd the difference in studying a subject and teaching a subject. I love learning and completing math but teaching it is actually more difficult than I thought it would be. I think I can connect with math and felt that my students should be able to see things and think about things the way I can. With science - we were learning it together! Glad you are back, Valorie!!

Valorie Delp (49340) 02 Apr 2007 04:27 PM

Hey me too! I have a much harder time teaching math. . .as well as foreign language! But I find that bc I had to break science concepts down to understand them. . .I am much better at presenting the information to my students.

Katie Parker (85) 03 Apr 2007 05:19 AM

There are a lot of fun things you can do in a science classroom. But, moreover, it's important for our students to learn science, and get a grasp on it early, if we want our nation to remain technologically competitive with the rest of the world. Kind of a weird thought to throw in there, but it's something I hear from time to time. Thanks for spotlighting it!

Lyn Newton (3966) 03 Apr 2007 01:01 PM

I think you are exactly right, Katie. Science and scientific thinking are why we are where we are today. Social Studies and Science are both getting the back burner in Tennessee. I'm not sure about other states. Many children do not know how to think. Science can greatly increase critical thinking skills.