An effective way to teach science is to use a building block methodology. Instead of teaching only what you understand, you allow your student (and yourself) to do hands-on study that allows him to reach the “right” conclusion. Doing this builds a solid educational foundation that can lead to the teaching of more difficult scientific concepts. Using this methodology, difficult concepts become much easier.
In the book, How People Learn by John Bradsford, Ann Brown, and Rodney Cocking, gaining knowledge about science is a natural part of development, “Developmental researchers have shown that young children understand a great deal about basic principles of biology and physical causality, about number, narrative, and personal intent, and that these capabilities make it possible to create innovative curricula that introduce important concepts for advanced reasoning at early ages.” Using this knowledge in your teaching approach enhances these natural tendencies.
The RS4K curriculum is designed to allow students not to learn by rote, but to assimilate concepts into real life situations. A combination of textbook study and a large proportion of hands-on experimentation allow children to take the broad concepts of scientific disciplines and relate them in a practical manner to what they observe with …
