Establishing Ground Rules in Science Classrooms: What to Ponder???

 

Science Activity

 

Questions to Ponder?

 

Resulting Ground rule

 

When brainstorming ideas for driving questions

 

How do can we brainstorm ideas without getting off track?

How can we brainstorm ideas and not hinder good ideas?

How can we value all students’ activities?

 

Keep to the topic

 

No put downs of people’s ideas

 

During collaboration with others

 

How can we make sure all people participate?

How can we keep one person from taking over?

How can we make sure there aren’t "loafers" in the group?

What voice level is acceptable?

 

Make sure everyone has a job to do in the group

 

When critiquing each other’s ideas

 

How can we make sure we don’t insult someone?

How can we nicely help someone make their project better?

 

Say good things about the project first

 

During investigations

 

How can we safely use science equipment?

How can we make sure we are exploring an idea fully?

How can we make sure all students help with the investigation?

Can we move around the classroom?

Can we get our own equipment or must the teacher get it for us?

 

Don’t run with science equipment

 

When working on the computer

 

How do we find only information that is related to our topic?

How do we use the computer safely?

How does everyone get a chance to use the computer?

 

Let everyone in your group conduct one search on a topic

 

During a demonstration or guest speaker

 

How do we treat a guest speaker?

What is important to do during a demonstration?

How do we sit and listen respectfully?

 

Don’t talk when someone else is talking to the class

 

On a field trip

 

How do we behave in the public?

 

Make our community proud of kids at our school

 

When making products

 

How can we make sure that all student’s ideas are used in the artifact?

What amount of noise is acceptable?

 

It is okay if we’re using "talking" voices

 

When sharing products

 

How do we give people new ideas without insulting them?

 

Say, "I like your idea, but did your group consider....?

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