Activities for Teaching Science as Inquiry

by Carin, Arthur A.; Bass, Joel E.; Contant, Terry L.

• ISBN13: 9780131180079
• ISBN10: 013118007X
• Edition: 6th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-01-01
• Publisher: Prentice Hall

Summary

For courses in Science Methods in Elementary School. Research tells us that an inquiry approach to science teaching motivates and engages every type of student, helping them understand science's relevance to their lives, as well as the nature of science itself. Teaching Science as Inquiry demonstrates a manageable way for new and experienced teachers to bring inquiry successfully into the science classroom. Activities for Teaching Science as Inquiry follows the 5-E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, Evaluate), a Learning Cycle model introduced in the methods chapters that reflects the NSES Science as Inquiry Standards.

Table of Contents

Using Activities for Inquiry

Engaging Students in Inquiry

Use Well-Designed and Proven Activities

Sequencing Science Instruction and Inquiry

Lesson Plan: An Inquiry into Pendulums

Cooperative Learning

How Text Activities Are Organized

References

Physical Science Activities

Matter and Energy

Thermal Energy (Heat)

Air Pressure. Sound Energy

Simple Machines (Mechanics)

Magnetic and Electrical Energies and Interactions

Light Energy, Shadows, Lenses, and Color

Life, Ecology, and Environmental Science Activities

Plant Anatomy and Physiology

Animal Anatomy and Physiology

Human Anatomy, Physiology, Nutrition, and Health

Ecology and the Environment

Earth and Space Science Activities

Astronomy (Earth in Space)

Meteorology (Weather)

Geology (Earth's Changing Surface)

Inquiry Science Activities for Students with Special Needs

Students with Blindness or Vision Impairments

Students with Developmental Delays

Students with Visual Perception Problems

Students with Emotional Disorders

Students with Deafness or Hearing Impairments

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

THE RAPID ADVANCEof cognitive learning theories in the past few years has led educators to realize the need for students to be more actively engaged in their own construction of knowledge. This research tells us that an inquiry approach to science teaching motivates and engages every type of student, helping them understand science's relevance to their lives, as well as the nature of science itself. Inquiry is both a way for scientists and students to investigate the world, and a way to teach. In this instructional environment, teachers act as facilitators of learning, guiding students in asking simple but thoughtful questions about the world and finding ways to engage them in answering their questions. Inquiry incorporates the use of hands-on and process-oriented activities for the benefit of knowledge construction, while building investigation skills and habits of mind in students. Inquiry encourages students to connect their prior knowledge to observations and to use their observations as evidence to increase personal scientific knowledge and explain how the world works. But is there a manageable way for new and experienced teachers to bring inquiry into their science classrooms? Drawing on a solid understanding of inquiry with a teaching framework that builds in accountability for science content learning, and using inquiry-based activities, teachers can create and manage an engaging, productive science classroom. By integrating an inquiry approach, science content, theNational Science Education Standards(NSES), and a bank of inquiry activities, the sixth edition ofActivities for Teaching Science as Inquirydemonstrates a manageable way for new and experienced teachers to bring inquiry successfully into the science classroom. The Inquiry Framework In this edition we have taken the National Science Education Standards and the Learning Cycle's 5-E instructional model to create an inquiry framework for science teaching. 5-E Model Each activity follows the 5-E model of instruction, which frames lesson activities in terms of engaging, exploring, explaining, elaborating, and evaluating. This Learning Cycle model reflects the NSES Science as Inquiry Standards, seamlessly integrating inquiry and the Standards to create a science teaching framework best suited for engaging students in meaningful science learning while providing accountability opportunities for teachers. National Science Education Standards Many years of work and research in the science education community have provided a coherent, research-based vision for a new era of science education. As a result, theNational Science Education Standardswere created to coordinate the goals and objectives for science instruction. The activities in this edition will provide you with the opportunity to become familiar with theNational Science Education Standards.Each activity is connected to a specificNSES Content Standard and to Concepts and Principlesthat support the Standard. In addition, the 5-E model which frames the activities reflects theNSES Inquiry Standards.This integrated application of the Standards highlights the importance of using them to inform curriculum and instruction. Teaching Science as Inquiry The activities have been reorganized to follow theNSES Content Standards,further developing new and experienced teachers' fluency with aStandards-based science classroom, and have been restructured to follow the 5-E instructional model, creating a manageable way to engage students in inquiry activities. The Activities for Teaching Science as Inquiry can be used to illustrate and expand on the science content, and model the 5-E lesson procedures, engaging students in constructivist inquiry; provide a comprehensive view of how the NSES Science Content Standards can be used to organize curricul