#80: Unpacking Modeling-Based Learning in Kindergarten: A Micro-Level Discourse Analysis

This case study explores how Modeling-based Learning (MbL) unfolds in a kindergarten science classroom through a micro-level analysis of the 24 children's discourse (aged 5-6) during a 35-minute whole-class discussion on water diffusion on a napkin. Findings indicate that participating children could engage in complex mechanistic reasoning when supported through structured MbL cycles and close teacher facilitation. The study highlights the importance of teacher monitoring different scalar-level mechanistic reasoning and scaffolding the MbL discourse.