Science Super Star: Nikita Gibbs Nolen
We spotlight Nikita Gibbs Nolen, CRS Science Super Star honoree, who teaches at Markham Elementary in Oakland. She tries to engage her students in a multitude of ways, both in methods they are comfortable with, and in places she wants them to improve. This year, her and her classroom took to observing terrestrial organisms that were outside of many students' familiarity.
April 15, 2020
We are proud to recognize Nikita Gibbs Nolen, a 4th Grade Teacher from Markham Elementary in Oakland, as a 2020 Science Super Star!
Nikita and her classroom studied terrestrial organisms- the kinds many students were not completely familiar with beforehand – such as isopods, mealworms, and leaf litter critters.
Along with a read aloud, she led her students through a 'gallery walk' as they observed the living species. As they watched over the animals, Nikita asked her class to determine any relationship they could find between themselves and the species, as well as the species with each other. Here she heard a multitude of curious and thoughtful reflections:
I wonder if the sow bugs and isopods have a way to communicate?
How do you tell the difference between the different types of isopods?
What do they eat?
If they have gills, can they swim?
Nikita encouraged both science talks within groups, as well as consistent journaling. She remarked that many students are very elaborate in discussion, but are still working on providing the same multitude of evidence when making claims on paper.
By having students do both, they are working on new skills while still being able to prove their mastery of the lesson.
Many teachers may be overwhelmed by the notion of including science into lessons, but Nikita believes that having the subject in any way is beneficial for classrooms:
One student who has a lot of emotional issues and trauma, was able to put all that aside to be my teacher's assistant during science. He looked forward to it and took pride in his job.
Just make sure that you make time for science. It will really engage your students.