Teaching and Learning in Natural Sciences for Grades 1-5

In the time we are living today, education in natural sciences is very important, where scientific knowledge, rapid development of technology and science technology play an important role in our daily life. Most jobs today require workers to be able to learn, be rational, think creatively and critically, make decisions, and solve problems. Understanding science and scientific processes help to develop these skills. Students are required to develop understanding of scientific concepts, conduct experiments, observe, learn from their practices, and contribute to their education learning processes by affecting both affective and cognitive skills as well as psychomotor skills. Recent research on learning in natural sciences shows that school today is not effective in achieving these goals, where an important reason is the lack of motivation and interest of students in natural sciences. In Kosovo, as well as in other countries, learning natural sciences at school is often considered difficult, meaningless, uninteresting, and irrelevant to the students' future. First results of the PISA International Assessment conducted in 2015 are very disappointing and confirm that the quality of education in Kosovo needs to improve urgently. The performance of Kosovo students in the natural sciences test is ranked at the bottom compared to all participating countries in this assessment, where most of the students from Kosovo have not achieved base competencies and skills up to the age of 15. PISA results also point to serious shortfalls in Kosovo with regards to other aspects of education quality, including teaching and learning in schools. These problems have also been identified by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MEST), which in 2011 started preparations for changing the curricula at the pre-university level and started implementing it in all schools of Kosovo in 2017. This new curriculum is based on the competences of the 21st century. It is based on the achievement of competency scores for each of the 6 curriculum stages, where for primary education the results of competences for stages 1 and 2 have been compiled, the achievement of which is done through learning in natural sciences. The success of students in natural sciences depends on the work and dedication of teachers and students. This is achieved by using modern interactive and comprehensive approaches, methods, techniques and different forms of work. Many procedures are used for this purpose such as, new information, exercises, assignments, project work, practical work, etc. Various materials and tools such as models, diagrams and tables, chemical substances, tools from the kitchen or laboratory, instruments, computers and other educational technologies should also be used. This approach and these methods should serve to encourage independent, critical and creative thinking of students. For all these changes, we must have the well-trained teachers. This can be achieved through continuous teacher professional development, as well as continuous cooperation between them.