Matt Lorenz

 This week we learned more about living and non living things. All living things have eight characteristics. The eight characteristics include cellular composition, genetics and heredity, homeostasis, growth and change, movement, response to stimuli, metabolism and reproduction.   We also learned about the difference between a dormant and active organisms. Seeds, for example, are in a dormant state until they are given water, air, light and soil to germinate and start growing. Eggs, also are another example of something that is dormant, as they need warmth in order to hatch.  I was able to relate this information to what I already know about living things vs non living things as most of the time we are able to tell right away using our prior knowledge. For example, the goldfish vs goldfish cracker conversation seems obvious that one is living and one is not, however, now we are able to use the new terms we learned to scientifically explain why one is living and one i...

 1. This week in lab we explored what standards, practices and skills are taught at the Elementary level and where we can find them. 2. To investigate this question we were introduced to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). We explored the NextGenScience.org website as well as viewed the three dimensions of the framework and the Science framework for K-12 science education blueprint developed by the NGSS. 3. We figured out that many states, including Iowa, have turned to the NGSS to guide their science teaching. The NGSS is a great resource for teachers to develop science teaching methods. Within the NGSS, there are three dimensions to learning science. Crosscutting concepts help students explore connections across the domains of science. Crosscutting concepts help students to develop their views of the world around them when the concepts are specifically catered to them. Practices of science and engineering explain what it is that people in the field do to investigate and...