How can set-up time be eased?
There are a couple of suggestions. There are a whole set of advanced preps that need to be done only once for a kit. This calls for convening a science circle with a few grade-level peers. By going through the manual and attending to the one-time preps together, the work is shared and everyone becomes familiar with the materials and gets the big picture of the module. Many hands make light work. Another way to lighten the prep burden is by doing the module a time or two so that the activities are very familiar. The first time teachers do a module they tend to be overly careful in order to not be caught off guard. They lighten up on themselves quite naturally as the module becomes second nature. Also, things that the teacher felt he or she had to do the first time or two through can be turned over to students. It is amazing how much of the prep students can do once everyone gets into stride with the program. You can also invite parents and other volunteers into the classroom to assist w
