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ERIC Number: EJ758593
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Jan
Pages: 4
Abstractor: ERIC
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0036-8555
EISSN: N/A
Drawing Students out: Using Sketching Exercises to Hone Observation Skills
Weekes, Harry
Science Teacher, v72 n1 p34-37 Jan 2005
In this article, the author discusses how drawing exercise can be an invaluable tool in teaching Biology classes. The author uses drawing exercises and requires students to sketch everything from prepared slides of mitosis and plant anatomy to field sightings of birds and protists. His primary goal in integrating art into science is to hone students' observation skills. Drawing helps students see more clearly and therefore ask better questions and formulate better hypotheses. Furthermore, developing good drawing and observation skills requires patience and time. Time spent pursuing and recording accurate observations invariably yields a deeper appreciation for whatever subject is being studied, whether it is pine trees, protists, or prepared slides. In the end, the time spent observing and drawing creates a better understanding of biology and fosters the natural inquisitiveness and curiosity that are the cornerstones of good hypotheses and good science.
National Science Teachers Association. 1840 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22201-3000. Tel: 800-722-6782; Fax: 703-243-3924; e-mail: membership@nsta.org; Web site: http://www.nsta.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: Teachers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A